Many of you are just now coming across the new, what is in my opinion, gimmick for making more money which is Charges, fee's, debit, EFT transactions that have attached handling fee's for multiple circumstances. I will touch base on two but I am sure you can add your own.
Example- A very large retailer, retailer created this situation. I bet it's founder is turning in his grave. Now this example is true to life fact. Upon coming to the cashier for payment the person asked the following question. "I understand that you now accept checks as debit card transactions"? The cashier stated, "yes, the funds are automatically withdrawn as if you used you debit card". This same wording was confirmed by an Assistant Manager. So a blank check was rendered and they processed it. It went through. It was then asked if it went through ok, to which she stated yes, you are ok.
About a week later the same person is writing a check in another store and using another checking account and that check is denied. They are told call this outside company for the explanation. Of course after calling them multiple times and finally getting through their automated system, which did not work and their records were incorrect, the person decided to call their bank, who had not as yet advised this person of the return item. Nice, over a week delay causing even more of a problem.
Upon calling the store the manager was asked once again about the debit card verses check and she also stated the exact same thing. The money is withdrawn just like a debit card. NOT TRUE. Not even the head person in HQ new the correct answer.
If the transaction is an EFT or electronic funds transfer it could take two or three days to post and even while you may have had funds at the time it was made if not there at the time of posting you might be overdrawn. Like I stated if there were insufficient funds while using a debit card the transaction would not post and they would require an additional form of payment. That did not happen.
So now you owe the amount of the check plus the fee. That is to the company collecting and to the bank that returned the item. Nice people they are and what a great way to make extra money and all legal thanks to those who love their fellow Americans. Real customer oriented. Now for you who say it is your fault what can one say?
So you call the store to make good and get the fee's rescinded. Sorry call those people. You call those people, pay or else. Never mind they misinformed you, lied, let the buyer beware. After all these are corporate giants you, you are nothing. So you explain to them your problem and they "will investigate" and get back to you in a few days. Meanwhile you can't write any checks and you can't even open another bank account. Yes you irresponsible so and so and not credit worthy person. We will teach you to pay when you mess up.
So now the person is on hold waiting for these giants of thinking to respond.
Well what about the bank? The bank, another laugh. Well here is the second half of the story. They had a deposit on the same day sufficient to cover the amount of that item. However, and this is key it was showing as a transaction immediately after that check. You might think the bright and shining stars who write the software would say, hey I have a deposit and a check. The deposit will post right after the check, let me adjust for this customer. I'll post the deposit first, pay the check, and life goes on. No, not these people, why $$$$$$$$. - fee's, charges money.
So you call "get this, really" Customer Service. Ok I really need to say that again, Customer Service, if it wasn't so sad you could have a good laugh over it, you some clerk who has all the authority to tell you just what they want to. "Well sir did you read the fine print on the receipt"? "Your deposit came in after the check", "that's not how our system works". Ok, really, well it isn't working right. "Why" well I have a deposit on that same morning and you return the item and charge me a fee. Can you please refund the fee. "Sorry, no can do. Then the long explanation. Sorry. Ok Supervisor, sorry, Yes Customer Service give me a break. A total waste of time.
Yet in both instances mind you here is what they sign off with, hold on now, the poor bastards have to say this. "We really appreciate your business, is there anything else we can do for you?
Yes how about leaning about reasoning, weighing of outcomes, delivering what you say you do "Customer Service". Yes I am family, thank God not theirs.
It is as sign and symbol of this age because they truly do not know how to reason, understand, comprehend or think through the simplest of processes. So please in the future leave out "Service".
Oh and yes when they tell you it is a debit don't believe them. It is all about Charges, fee's, debit, EFT and no service.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright ©2008 Robert Melaccio Sr.
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