I recently open accounts with Wachovia bank. From what I heard, they were the "highest rated in customer satisfaction. When I went into open my account and each time thereafter, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and even thanked me by name. I thought that this truly was a bank that was good to customers.
That was until I received my first checking account statement yesterday. I noticed $2.00 had been deducted for a "person to person fee." I called the 800 # to see what this was about and was informed that I am allowed to visit the branch TWICE per statement period; for EACH visit over 2, I will be $2.00. Additionally, if I call their service number and speak to a person more than twice, that's $2.00 per time too.
I told the rep I never heard of such a thing and thought it was ridiculous, especially since I am paid on a weekly basis from my employer who doesn't offer direct deposit. I need to deposit money into my account by physically going to a location. She suggested using an ATM to make my deposit, but that takes longer to clear and I don't fully trust that it would be handled properly.
I just never heard of anything so stupid as a bank charging their own customers to utilize THEIR services. I understand that they have overhead costs such as payroll, etc. But I have my accounts with them so that I'm able to bank there - I shouldn't be charged fees for doing so. It's not as if I bounce checks or overdraw my account, I'm a good customer and who just needs to deposit a paper check each week so my bills get paid.
I was refunded the $2.00 for this cycle and will be looking for another, more customer friendly bank.
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