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BANK OF AMERICA

Jungle JimJungle Jim Member Posts: 264 ✭
edited May 2002 in General Discussion
I sold something on Ebay, and got the check for $150.00 from a lady in Memphis. The check was drawn on Bank of America, and they have a branch here in Waco, Texas. I drove down to the bank to cash the check and here's what happened: First, I had to stand in a line reserved for non-account holders. Secondly, I was informed to cash the check they required my driver's license and social security number. I balked on the ss number, and they accepted my CHL instead as ID. Thirdly, they took my thumb print and stamped it on the check. Finally, they told me that there was a $5.00 charge to cash the check drawn on their bank because I didn't have an account there. I paid the $5.00, and stopped by the President's office to complain about their tactics, and was told that they were only following instructions from their home office - no apology or anything!
I intend to file a complaint with the Comptroller of the Currency and anyone else that will listen. Any suggestions ?

Thanks,

Jim

"De Oppresso Liber"
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Comments

  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bank of America does the same thing here, but last time I cashed a check there I wasn't charged any fee.

    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • seductiveoneseductiveone Member Posts: 159 ✭
    edited November -1
    I used to have an account with them a few years ago but somehow 500 dollars came up missing, they wouldnt help me. Needless to say I dont bank there anymore.

    And no I didnt buy any new guns. The money just misteriously disapeared.


    "Respect my authority"
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  • interstatepawnllcinterstatepawnllc Member Posts: 9,390
    edited November -1
    Banks could give a rats tookus over how you are treated in their facilities. Expect even lower forms of treatment if you are not an account holder. Customer service and appreciation is really just about nil today, a far cry from when corporations flourished or folded as a result of their customer service/relations or lack thereof. Retirement is gonna suck!!
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  • HerschelHerschel Member Posts: 2,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    At a recent gunshow at Little Rock, AR I took checks drawn on two banks at which I didn't have an account. Stopped by one bank and handed the teller my driver's license and the check. She handed me back the $375. Went to Bank of America with the other check for $170.
    I gave them my DL and the check, they asked for another form of ID, required my thumb print on the check and asked for my telephone number. I refused to give them my phone number, left the teller and went to talk to the asst branch manager. He explained that was bank policy. I went back to the teller and got my money. I will not accept a check drawn on Bank of America in the future.
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  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is why I don't take personal checks. If I sell online it's money order , billpoint or paypal. I don't charge the 3% either, it's to my advantage to get things done quickly. I'd rather take the payment services. I believe the SS# thing is a federal thing to fight money laundering.(so they say) The bank that holds my mortgage (M&T bank) does the same thing thumbprint and all. Maybe we should compile a list of banks that do this and charge a $5.00 fee to accept their check.

    Woods

    How big a boy are ya?
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  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Chase also charges a $5 fee

    DarkStar11
    "...But Mona Lisa musta had the highway bluesYou can tell by the way she smiles..."
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Woodsrunner, I'm also a cunstomer of M&T and I'm curious if you have a motrgage with them. I want to refinance my home to get out of the mortgage I have now with the loanshark finance company. I know what M&T tells me to get my bussiness but I would like to hear from someone who has business with them. Only thing I don't like about them is the ATM fee.
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  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Simplest way is to just deposit it in your own bank to your account.
    You will not be charged anything that way.
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  • interstatepawnllcinterstatepawnllc Member Posts: 9,390
    edited November -1
    Gruntled, the problem with that is most banks will put up to a 2 week hold on out of state/city checks now irregardless of who issued the check. I recently brought a cashiers bank check from NC to KS and they put a one week hold on it. It's BS pure and simply BS. The banks are gonna stick it to you any way they can.
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  • treedawgtreedawg Member Posts: 321 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    you must have a good relationship with your own bank. get to know the bank manager and tellers. i use a smaller community bank(about 15 branches). when i need a check cashed it doesn't matter from which bank it was drawn, they'll cash it free of charge, no questions asked. don't get me wrong, this didn't happen over night, but after banking with them aprox. 7 years i don't run into many problems....
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  • Jungle JimJungle Jim Member Posts: 264 ✭
    edited November -1
    I have a similar relationship with a couple of banks here; but from past experience have learned if the check bounces, they debit your account immediately, and here they charge $15.00 for a bounced deposit. I cashed the check on BankAmerica to eliminate the hassle of a possible chargeback. I've done business with one bank since they opened, and they give me free cashier's checks, travelers checks, etc.
    and work hard for my business. Guess I expected too much out of BankAmerica, all the other banks in town will cash a check drawn on their bank free. It's not the $5.00 - I'm not that cheap - It's the principle and the way I was treated.

    Jim

    "De Oppresso Liber"
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  • treedawgtreedawg Member Posts: 321 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    don't get me wrong, they'll make me cover a bad check, but don't get the $15.00 fee.....
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a similar problem with either them or one of their closest competitors in Los Angeles some 20 years ago. I don't think any of them will ever change. I took my check to the same branch that the guy who wrote it to me had his accouny, and got the same run-around you did, with the possible exception of the $5.00 surcharge, which is ridiculous.

    You pay your own bank good money to represent you with other banks; how come you didn't just deposit it or cash it at your own? Don't tell me you don't at least have free checking someplace?

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    By the way, charging an extra $5 to take a personal check is a real good idea, in case you do get stung by an out-of-town branch. In fact, especially since I state that I don't take personal checks, in the future I may add something that says, "if you insist on sending me a personal check anyway, you must add $5.00 to your total to cover the banking fee." I have had people send me a check knowing I don't want them, almost like it's a matter of principle. Like they're going to neg me if I don't go through with the transaction at that point, or something. People don't like waiting for the check to clear, even though they claim they don't mind. I don't like getting feedback mentioning it took 20 days to get their item, conveniently neglecting to mention they sent a personal check. I say, fie on them!

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • Jungle JimJungle Jim Member Posts: 264 ✭
    edited November -1
    I have two checking accounts, and a Credit Union share account.

    I ususally just cash a check at one of them, but the check was written on BankAmerica, and they have a branch here ----
    thought it would be an easy deal like at other banks here.

    Anyway, it wasn't --- and I'm writing a letter to the editor of our newspaper, and a complaint letter to the Comptroller of Currency.

    Nothing may become of it, but I have to do something!

    Jim



    "De Oppresso Liber"
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  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    7mm nut, M&T has been pretty good for me so far. My mortgage is one they were offering for 1st time homebuyers a few years ago. The rates still aren't down to where mine is (5.9%). I've been told they like to sell thier mortgages so beware, you could end up right where you are now. I think the only reason mine hasn't been sold is they can't sell it at that rate. So far this has been a fantastic deal for me. I managed to get this place for $3,000.00 out of pocket. They financed most of the closing costs for 15 yrs at 5.9%. The mortgage itself is a bi-weekly at 5.9% for 25 yrs. I'm paying less for a 4 bedroom house, barn that will hold 4 cars,& half an acre of land, than my friends are paying for 2 bedroom apts.

    Woods

    How big a boy are ya?
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  • will270winwill270win Member Posts: 4,845
    edited November -1
    My wife almost got an account at B of A but when I heard their sales pitch I backed her outta there. They had all kinds of crazy rules! We went with Pomona First Federal, they are pretty good and very friendly. If any of you folks are military you can get with USAA, now they are great! I have a savings account with them and they rock! Even refund ATM fees. Of course, with no branches, cashing a check is tough.


    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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