Small Annual Banking Suck
I have a bank safety deposit box which has an annual fee. Horrible Bank mails me a statement every year that instructs me to make my payment at the branch where my box is. I do not live near this bank anymore and it would take about an hour to go to this branch via public transportation.
Every year I call the oh so helpful customer service number for the bank and have pretty much the same conversation.
HB: Horrible Bank, how may we help you?
Me: I explain I don't live near the branch and ask where I can mail the payment.
HB: Which bank do you have your box at?
Me: The payment request does not have a branch name or address, but it is on the corner of State & Main.
HB: Here's the number for our bank at State and Park.
Me: No, that's not the right bank.
HB: Well you can go into any of our branches and pay.
Me: I'd like to mail my payment.
HB: Where do you live, and I'll find you the nearest branch.
Me: I'm not going to any of your branches. I'd like to mail my check to your processing center.
HB: (Audible sigh....clicks on computer). You can mail the check to this address - and finally provides an address.
Hello! It's 2013, I haven't been inside a bank in at least 10 years, including the bank I actually have accounts with. I set up this box 20+ years ago, and its got a few documents that I probably will never need to access. And yes, I would move it closer if there was anywhere near me that had tiny boxes at reasonable prices.
Every other bank seems to love auto debit/electronic transfer, but at Horrible Bank their idea of service is to waste my time running to their bank to pay a $35 annual fee that could be sent electronically or at worst snail mail.
Every year I call the oh so helpful customer service number for the bank and have pretty much the same conversation.
HB: Horrible Bank, how may we help you?
Me: I explain I don't live near the branch and ask where I can mail the payment.
HB: Which bank do you have your box at?
Me: The payment request does not have a branch name or address, but it is on the corner of State & Main.
HB: Here's the number for our bank at State and Park.
Me: No, that's not the right bank.
HB: Well you can go into any of our branches and pay.
Me: I'd like to mail my payment.
HB: Where do you live, and I'll find you the nearest branch.
Me: I'm not going to any of your branches. I'd like to mail my check to your processing center.
HB: (Audible sigh....clicks on computer). You can mail the check to this address - and finally provides an address.
Hello! It's 2013, I haven't been inside a bank in at least 10 years, including the bank I actually have accounts with. I set up this box 20+ years ago, and its got a few documents that I probably will never need to access. And yes, I would move it closer if there was anywhere near me that had tiny boxes at reasonable prices.
Every other bank seems to love auto debit/electronic transfer, but at Horrible Bank their idea of service is to waste my time running to their bank to pay a $35 annual fee that could be sent electronically or at worst snail mail.