We have successfully stomped out common sense. - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jackebear · 06-09-2005, 03:24 AM

Well guthmund, now that you are a working stiff like the rest of us and will be using the bank a lot more from now on, I would find one you like and get to know the people there. Introduce yourself to the tellers, managers, whoever. It will pay off in the long run to personally know some people at your branch.

I have moved all over and had many accounts (of the same bank) in different cities. But I always kept my home account active. Always had a few hundred in there for years. I am now overseas but this hometown account is still going. And what a blessing. I had a problem with a possible bounced check from a client and called them and said "Hi, is Shirley there? This is the Bear." Got her on the line and in two minutes, my problem was fixed...I was now first in line to get paid. Had a problem with my Visa and they weren't co-operating, called my home branch and they solved the problem with Visa in a couple hours.

I can call right now and get someone who knows me on the line and knows my reputation and can get many problems solved in a jiffy.

Just some advice my old man gave me many moons ago. "Introduce yourself to everyone and their mother".

guthmund · 06-09-2005, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilbert25

And to get back on topic, in your defense guthmund, expired licenses are valid id's in some states for acquiring new drivers licenses, so I could see the idea that an expired license should be acceptable.

You know what I found really amusing. I went to get the license renewed and the lady behind the desk didn't bat an eye. She barely looked at it. Just long enough to say, "You're a little late aren't you?", punch in my D.L. number and put it away somewhere. She didn't ask for anything else, just took my picture. So, I had a harder time cashing an innocuous paycheck at the bank than I did replacing a driver's license, which, as I understand it, is the most widely used form of identification, at the Revenue Office/DMV. Kind of makes me wonder....

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackebear

Well guthmund, now that you are a working stiff like the rest of us and will be using the bank a lot more from now on, I would find one you like and get to know the people there. Introduce yourself to the tellers, managers, whoever. It will pay off in the long run to personally know some people at your branch.

I doubt it. I've done just fine these last 5-6 years without a bank (aside from this little flare up) and I'll do just fine in the future. I could maybe see the convenience of being able to pull money right from the account on line (debit card) rather than using a credit card, but right now it doesn't seem worth it.

Oh, by the way, that good's advice about introducing yourself. My grandfather shared it with me a long time ago. I always make it a point to get friendly with the staff and such when I pay my bills. I said this in another thread, but it bears repeating. People seem more eager to help me with my problem when they can attach a face to a name rather than a random number.

opey99 · 06-10-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demeter

guthmund,
it isn't that she was closed minded, but she could likely get fired for not following company protocol. Losing her job so you could cash your check isn't a smart move on her part.
However, when she realized she could not help you, she should have called a supervisor or manager immediately to see if they could assist you. That's what good customer service is all about. If you cannot help someone, find someone who can.

I would concur completely

TheBrit · 06-13-2005, 02:17 PM

Urgh. My friend had this exact same issue with his passport. Trying to open a bank account, they need photo ID and proof of address. He took along a gas bill in his name and his 2 weeks expired passport (reminds me, I need a new one). Anyway, the cashier wouldn't open an account because his passport was out of date. Bloody hell, it's still him isn't it? If the government changed it so that passports were valid for one more year from date of issue would the ID suddenly bear a more striking resemblance to him?
Grr, idiots make me angry.

Had an incident at my local branch a while ago, went in to pay in a cheque. They know me in there and therefore only need my signature and not proof of ID. Also, it's my home branch so they don't need proof anyway. The girl behind the counter asked for ID. I said "You don't need it, it's my home branch, you only need a signature." Well, she starts off about how she's never seen me before and how if I came in more often she might recognise me. I go in almost every day to do something or other, she just joined the branch a few days ago and it was the first time she served me. In the end she just asked the cashier next to her "do you know this man?" She did, and the cashier reluctantly went through with the transaction. Bah. Could have all been solved right at the beginning if she just admitted she was new and didn't really know what she was doing.

Charlatan · 06-13-2005, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilbert25

Because it's not like banks make money any other way than bank fees. I deposit my money into a bank so that they have the PRIVELEGE to invest it into something else. They give me a fraction of the money that they make back in the form of interest (%.5 on $10k, are you kidding?). Any bank that charges me a fee to deposit money *cough* BofA *cough* has got this whole formula completely wrong, since a large portion of their income comes from investing the money deposited/loaned to them.

Banks are useful and server a purpose, and larger ones can provide more services, but make no mistake, teller fees are in fact nickeling and diming people and a slap in the face. I refuse to use a bank that gives an interest rate lower than my current amount and I also refuse to use one that in any way charges teller fees. Some banks are better than others, the ones I am using now are the best I can find, damn you people in military credit unions. Like anything else, people should shop around until they find one that suits their needs.

And to get back on topic, in your defense guthmund, expired licenses are valid id's in some states for acquiring new drivers licenses, so I could see the idea that an expired license should be acceptable.

This is my point exactly...

TheBrit · 06-15-2005, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guthmund

I doubt it. I've done just fine these last 5-6 years without a bank (aside from this little flare up) and I'll do just fine in the future. I could maybe see the convenience of being able to pull money right from the account on line (debit card) rather than using a credit card, but right now it doesn't seem worth it.

Err, if you didn't have a bank account, how were you paying off the credit card and normal bills?

KingOtter67 · 06-15-2005, 07:55 AM

I think the term 'common sense' is often misused. As the comedians always say, it is hardly common. What we're really talking about is 'good judgement'.

These days corporations and companies looking for entry-level positions aren't really looking for 'good judgement' folks. They have rules that they place on those positions so that they don't HAVE to think. They don't want to have to pay someone in that position to have a brain, because brains cost money.

So rules are created in order to take the place of brains, and keep these underlings in their place.

But, generally, you need someone on-staff that can look at the rules, interpret their meaning and what they are trying to prevent, and be able to use 'good judgement' on when to follow the rules and when not to. I would expect this person to be the bank manager. But we have one posting in this thread talking about strict adherence to the rules, which may contradict that argument.

Rules are meant to protect the institution. That's fine. Society NEEDS rules, or we couldn't exist. Some rules should not be broken, ever. Other rules it may not be so important to enforce it to the letter, every time. I think it takes 'good judgement' to be able to look at a rule, look at a situation, and decide whether or not the rule needs to be enforced.

little_tippler · 06-15-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demeter

guthmund,
it isn't that she was closed minded, but she could likely get fired for not following company protocol. Losing her job so you could cash your check isn't a smart move on her part.
However, when she realized she could not help you, she should have called a supervisor or manager immediately to see if they could assist you. That's what good customer service is all about. If you cannot help someone, find someone who can.

couldn't have said it better.

Manuel Hong · 06-15-2005, 05:14 PM

To me it clearly sounds like she was giving you a bit of a hard time. I understand the rules, but you are from the area, had been there before, were obviously the person on the ID and the check was valid. She was possibly having a bad day and taking out on you.
I've run into snafus at banks or other institutions and the service reps always made it known that they were "bending" the rules a bit, but knew YOU were okay...
It makes you want to give them your business and gives you a good "I'm special" feeling, which is good business. Some employees would be more autonimous than this teller; kudos to you for asking to see the manager when that person was not helpful. (and more credit for being a mature, professional adult about it.) Next time you won't wait the 10 minutes, you'll ask to see the manager in 2. To that teller you had to deal with, I'd say, "Thank you, Teacher. Good lesson."

06-09-2005, 03:24 AM	#41 (permalink)
Jackebear Insane	Well guthmund, now that you are a working stiff like the rest of us and will be using the bank a lot more from now on, I would find one you like and get to know the people there. Introduce yourself to the tellers, managers, whoever. It will pay off in the long run to personally know some people at your branch. I have moved all over and had many accounts (of the same bank) in different cities. But I always kept my home account active. Always had a few hundred in there for years. I am now overseas but this hometown account is still going. And what a blessing. I had a problem with a possible bounced check from a client and called them and said "Hi, is Shirley there? This is the Bear." Got her on the line and in two minutes, my problem was fixed...I was now first in line to get paid. Had a problem with my Visa and they weren't co-operating, called my home branch and they solved the problem with Visa in a couple hours. I can call right now and get someone who knows me on the line and knows my reputation and can get many problems solved in a jiffy. Just some advice my old man gave me many moons ago. "Introduce yourself to everyone and their mother". __________________ Life's jounney is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn-out shouting, "Holy sh*t! What a ride!" - unknown

06-15-2005, 07:55 AM	#47 (permalink)
KingOtter67 Upright	I think the term 'common sense' is often misused. As the comedians always say, it is hardly common. What we're really talking about is 'good judgement'. These days corporations and companies looking for entry-level positions aren't really looking for 'good judgement' folks. They have rules that they place on those positions so that they don't HAVE to think. They don't want to have to pay someone in that position to have a brain, because brains cost money. So rules are created in order to take the place of brains, and keep these underlings in their place. But, generally, you need someone on-staff that can look at the rules, interpret their meaning and what they are trying to prevent, and be able to use 'good judgement' on when to follow the rules and when not to. I would expect this person to be the bank manager. But we have one posting in this thread talking about strict adherence to the rules, which may contradict that argument. Rules are meant to protect the institution. That's fine. Society NEEDS rules, or we couldn't exist. Some rules should not be broken, ever. Other rules it may not be so important to enforce it to the letter, every time. I think it takes 'good judgement' to be able to look at a rule, look at a situation, and decide whether or not the rule needs to be enforced. __________________ KingOtter You can't push on a rope.

06-15-2005, 05:14 PM	#49 (permalink)
Manuel Hong Addict Location: Land of the puny, wimpy states	To me it clearly sounds like she was giving you a bit of a hard time. I understand the rules, but you are from the area, had been there before, were obviously the person on the ID and the check was valid. She was possibly having a bad day and taking out on you. I've run into snafus at banks or other institutions and the service reps always made it known that they were "bending" the rules a bit, but knew YOU were okay... It makes you want to give them your business and gives you a good "I'm special" feeling, which is good business. Some employees would be more autonimous than this teller; kudos to you for asking to see the manager when that person was not helpful. (and more credit for being a mature, professional adult about it.) Next time you won't wait the 10 minutes, you'll ask to see the manager in 2. To that teller you had to deal with, I'd say, "Thank you, Teacher. Good lesson." __________________ Believe nothing, even if I tell it to you, unless it meets with your own good common sense and experience. - Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

06-13-2005, 02:17 PM	#44 (permalink)
TheBrit Psycho	Urgh. My friend had this exact same issue with his passport. Trying to open a bank account, they need photo ID and proof of address. He took along a gas bill in his name and his 2 weeks expired passport (reminds me, I need a new one). Anyway, the cashier wouldn't open an account because his passport was out of date. Bloody hell, it's still him isn't it? If the government changed it so that passports were valid for one more year from date of issue would the ID suddenly bear a more striking resemblance to him? Grr, idiots make me angry. Had an incident at my local branch a while ago, went in to pay in a cheque. They know me in there and therefore only need my signature and not proof of ID. Also, it's my home branch so they don't need proof anyway. The girl behind the counter asked for ID. I said "You don't need it, it's my home branch, you only need a signature." Well, she starts off about how she's never seen me before and how if I came in more often she might recognise me. I go in almost every day to do something or other, she just joined the branch a few days ago and it was the first time she served me. In the end she just asked the cashier next to her "do you know this man?" She did, and the cashier reluctantly went through with the transaction. Bah. Could have all been solved right at the beginning if she just admitted she was new and didn't really know what she was doing.