I really wanted to write this from my flawless Ubuntu Linux install on my old laptop, but it’s still apt-get’ting an upgrade at the moment.
Here it comes from my new work computer used for non-work purposes.
Washington Mutual? Bad Customer Service?
Yep.
Come on guys, I thought you were a bank. Sure, I’m not Donald Trump, or Robert Kiyosaki, or anyone else with half a brain and a lot of currency.
But I wanted to deposit a nice chunk of money into a rainy day account within your cool Open Online and Get 3.3 Percent APY.
I walked into your bank with a previously written check in my pocket, ready to deposit into your coffers. Your branch is only a mile and a bit from my house. I like real bank branches filled with real bank people.
But your tellers told me to go sit on a bench and wait. They were not servicing anyone else and were just talking to themselves, and obviously accepting my check was going to be too much work for them. I’ll admit, the girl I sat next to was cute, but definitely not cuter than my wife, and way less talkative. After 10 minutes of no help, I got up and left your branch. Total work time I gave to you at that point: about 40 minute, which included travel time to and from your branch on bicycle.
But I gave you another chance. I tried to sign up online, to go along with your advertising. I actually went through the entire sign up process twice. Each time you asked me these stupid “keep my identity secure” questions, which I answered correctly. But what does your security system respond with?
“We’re sorry, you’re answers are incorrect. You must wait 7 days for your account to be processed.’
Seven fucking days????? SEVEN DAYS!?!?!?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
So I called. I spoke to 3 people, 3 of the most worthless fucking “customer service” people I have ever spoken to in my entire life. None of them were empowered to help me GIVE YOU MONEY!!!!!
But let’s not dwell on the details, because this story has a happy ending.
Not for WaMu.
The happy ending is for me, my wife and HSBC, an online bank that definitely knows what’s up. Thanks guys, you get my money, and WaMu doesn’t.
WaMu = FAIL!
HSBC = WIN!
Comments (6)
One of these days I intend to share my story of Washinton Mutual’s amazing fuck-up, but maybe instead I’ll just tell you in person.
When you come back up here, let’s go to Shabuway again! Every story is good over a giant bowl of fatty broth.
Amazing how some banks just don’t want your money. I had a similar experience recently, trying to convert one of our separate accounts to a joint account. Only over here, it’s pretty much the same wherever you try.
Debra,
Ahh, but to receive my salary in pounds, that would be nice. I’d just stuff it under my pillow if banks wouldn’t take it.
I was just in BofA yesterday doing some business banking stuff and they are pissing me off. I feel like I’m sorta stuck with them because it would be hell to change banks.
Our HSBC account was just officially opened. The only difference between the pain of opening the account with HSBC and the pain of opening one with WaMu is that I like HSBC. Maybe it’s going back to high school: those who get my money are those I like.