Friday, November 6, 2009

How $11 cost me $133

To Whom It May Concern,

Today I experienced the worst customer service I have ever experienced in my life, and it happened with Chase Bank. I have been a customer of Washington Mutual since I was 16 years old and I cashed my first paycheck from a summer camp I worked at. I’m now 26, that is ten years.

Today, I walked into my home branch and met with NAME OMITTED about a mix up with a check I had written. My check was returned and I was charged a $33 dollar fee for being over for 11 dollars. This further impacted me when my apartment slapped me with a $100 fee for having bounced a check. I had funds in my account the day I wrote the check and had accounted for the transactions that pushed me over.

I presented my situation to NAME OMITTED who promptly explained that I “needed to learn to manage my money better,” and then proceeded to explain how to balance my checkbook to me. I felt insulted that he refused to address my concern and attacked me as a person, as though I am some irresponsible spender.

I threatened to take my business elsewhere after NAME OMITTED made his remark, and he reversed my fee at that point. I asked NAME OMITTED for a statement on Chase letterhead explaining that the fee had been reversed, he refused. I asked him to sign the bank statement showing the fee reversal, he refused on the grounds that he did not trust me. I asked NAME OMITTED for a business card, he did not have any to give me. How is it possible that an assistant branch manager does not have a business card?

In the end the fee was reversed and I’m still in my apartment, but after today’s experience I am seriously considering moving my business to Bank of America. This kind of customer service is unacceptable.

Sincerely,

Richard