But Mom, Every Other Bank Does It!

[AtDIelement]

Unfortunately, this is the conversation I had earlier today:

SC: I got all these fees, can you take care of them?
Me: Unfortunately, I can't, since your account has been opened for less than 2 months and has already overdrawn 15 times.
SC: But *rival bank* and *other rival bank* don't chaaaaaaarge.
Me: Those banks don't charge? How so? Every bank charges an overdraft somehow.
SC: Nuh uh! (This is a 35 year old man.)
Me: Sir, there is no way a bank wouldn't charge for an overdraft. We charge because we get charged.
SC: But I want my fees baaaaaaack! (Whiny, childish voice... of course)
Me: I'm sorry, there is nothing we can do... Like I said, you're a new customer and you've overdrawn your account 15 times.
SC: But this isn't faaaaiiiir! (It's like chalk over a blackboard)
SC: You're really going to lose an account over these fees?!?!
Me: Yes... Yes, I am.
SC: You have horrible customer service! I'll make sure you're fired for this!
Me: I'm sure, anything else I can help you with?
SC: YEAH! RETURN MY FUCKING FEES!
Me: I'm sorry, I can't... Have a great day!
SC: YEAH?! FUCK YOU!

Aaaand, he storms out. This guy went from 0-60 in about 2.3 seconds....

I love my job. *Sarcasm*

[Marmalady]

Did he throw himself at full length onto the floor, drumming his fists and heels? and shouting I HATE YOU!!! ?

[Mytical]

Darn it, I want an account in that magical bank! Then I can spend as much as I want! Next time you see them, ask them where this bank is. Cause..I just have to know.

Also..it amazes me how some adults act worse then children. I've even seen children do the at their parents action.

[Squeaksmyalias]

Also..it amazes me how some adults act worse then children.

I'm amazed someone can over draw that many times, which I shouldn't a former friend did that even after my Mom gave her money lessons. The only difference between her and this guy was she would not only whine, then cry and blame the bank for over drawing her account. *sighs and rubs temples* I'm so glad I'm no longer friends with her.

[blas]

Drunken Victim finally met his match with the banks?!

Oh I can dream, can't I?

[Betweenshades]

WTH? Stop habitually over drafting and you won't have to worry!

The ONLY time I got overdraft fees back was after my old bank charged an overdraft fee on an overdraft. Then charged another overdraft fee for my overdraft fee, rinse and repeat 4 more times. I was just 18 with a 4-month-old account, I made a $50 error in my checkbook ledger and it was the domino effect of doom. It was one of the only times I had my mom help me with an adult issue by going to the bank with me to get it straightened out.

[houdini]

SC: But *rival bank* and *other rival bank* don't chaaaaaaarge.

"Sooo why are you not with either of those banks, sir? Oh, did you go overdrawn on their accounts so often that they kicked you out and you were forced to come to us? This is so sad! I will immediately refund your fees due to these terrible circumstances. After all, we want to keep a valued customer who keeps going overdrawn and costing us money!"

I think I should lay off the sarcasm jar for a while. *sigh*

[chainedbarista]

SC: But *rival bank* and *other rival bank* don't chaaaaaaarge.

really? can i have their number and address?

unless you have overdraft protection, yes they do, sorry, sparky, you lose...on more than one level.

[Chromatix]

I think most people expect that if they try to make a transaction that they don't have enough money for, the bank would simply refuse it with no fees being necessary.

Unfortunately the banks are much more interested in profits than in consumer protection, so they almost universally allow the transaction and then charge through the nose for it.

[phoenixv07]

I think most people expect that if they try to make a transaction that they don't have enough money for, the bank would simply refuse it with no fees being necessary.

Unfortunately the banks are much more interested in profits than in consumer protection, so they almost universally allow the transaction and then charge through the nose for it.

That, and if people are writing checks there's really no way for the bank to know that they're overdrawing their account in time to stop them. With debits, the information is sent to the bank fairly quickly, so stores (at least my store) can decline debit purchases if there isn't money in the account to cover it. Check info doesn't go to the bank until the check does, which is usually a few days later.

[Midorikawa]

Unfortunately the banks are much more interested in profits than in consumer protection, so they almost universally allow the transaction and then charge through the nose for it.

See, I don't see it that way. I've overdrawn a few times when the excrement impacted the rotational cooling device and had no alternative. Honestly, it more punishes those who don't have the financial sense to plan purchases or not spend more than you make than anything.

I can see hitting a rough spot and overdrafting a bit. I do it too. I overdraft on average once a year, tops, and usually when everything breaks at once. It's nice to not have my credit score dinged because I had a medical emergency pop up, or the water heater died forcing us to buy a new one quickly, or any of other myriad things, and just pay a $5 fee. It's saved me from getting in trouble with the mortgage company, when I HAD to make a huge payment on the new furnace, because the old one wouldn't have survived the winter. If you only occasionally overdraft, it's not a big deal. If you overdraft 15 times in a 2 month period, you shouldn't be allowed near anything but cash. :-/

It comes down to personal accountability more than anything. You screw up, you pay the price. If you can't keep from buying tons of garbage every month, then can't afford your rent, you have a problem and should seek help, or at least be man enough to pay the price for your lack of restraint. :-/

[Captain Trips]

But I CAN'T be overdrawn, I still have blank checks left....

[morgana]

But I CAN'T be overdrawn, I still have blank checks left....

Please quit channelling my ex-husband. You're giving me flashbacks . . .

[Thuringwethyl]

When I was younger I didn't earn that much and I was trying to save as well. I also had signed up with an automatic transfer from checking to savings every month (stupid for me, I wouldn't remember when it would go through). I would overdraft on groceries without realizing it - bad! It would be several days before I'd realize what happened and by that time had racked up an impressive amount of fees. I never complained though since it was, technically, my fault.

Now I just keep more money in my checking account especially for this situation.

[Racket_Man]

I can see hitting a rough spot and overdrafting a bit. I do it too. I overdraft on average once a year, tops, and usually when everything breaks at once. It's nice to not have my credit score dinged because I had a medical emergency pop up, or the water heater died forcing us to buy a new one quickly, or any of other myriad things, and just pay a $5 fee.

:-/

overdraft fees that not been that low for many a year.

your credit score may not be dinged but you DO get put into a nationa database of "check bouncers/overdrafters" (Cheksystems I believe) and your name and SS stays there for at least 7 years. if your bank chooses they CAN close your account if they see a pattern they do not like.

I agree 15 overdrafts in 2 months is WAY too excessive. this person should NOT have been able to even switch banks after that many esp if their previous "overdraft" record was just as bad with previous banks