Wachovia Bank ripoff Charlotte Nationwide

It's not the fee that bothers me as the amount of the fee. With everything being done by computer, There is no way the bank can tell me that it cost them $30.00 to process an overdraft. The same goes with overlimit fees on credit cards or the 29% that some banks charge you in interest.

Our government is no help either. With the change in the bankruptcy (and NO, Im not filing for bankruptcy) the government has made it harder for people to ever get ahead. Contrary to what the banking industry says, the majority of people who file for bankruptcy are not out to scam the system.

It is a little known fact that most banks actually will refund two overdraft fees a year as a courtesy. I bank with Wachovia and they do this, but you have to argue very loudly. If you get a customer service rep. who refuses to help you, ask for the supervisor (who will most likely refuse as well), then ask for their supervisor and on up the chain.

What will happen is eventually you will be either refunded or asked to mail a letter. if you mail a letter, you will probably be refunded. So you are not actually asking to be treated "special" as was previously suggested, you are just asking for leeway the bank does not openly tell the customers about.

First, Samantha, let me say that I certainly see your side. I don't think you're trying to be special by asking for this fee to be waived.

Here's the real problem. You're living on the edge, banking-wise. If you use your account to hold the money you spend all through the month, try to always keep a minimum reserve. Say $100.

That way, this never happens to you. It's easy to forget a minor fee or forget to enter a check in your bankbook. Plus, there is always a delay between when you deposit a check, and when the money is actually available. The $100 gives you a reserve.

Consider this similar situation. Would you let your car gas tank get down to just one teaspoon of gas left in it? Running on empty for 40 miles? That would be cutting it awful close.

In addition, banks want customers who maintain a minimum balance. All this banking activity has to be entered as you make each transaction. That costs the bank money. If you always keep say $1000 in the account, at least the bank can use that money to fund loans and collect interest. It allows them to make a profit.

That's what I try to do. I keep enough money in a saving account so that the bank can use it to make a profit. Plus, I keep all my spending money in my pocket, so I'm never in and out of the bank several times a week. When you pay in cash, this never happens.

That said, there is a tactful way to explain this to banking customers. I don't expect a rebuttal to use tact, but the John at your bank sounds like he'd be better off managing a piggy bank instead. The idea is to keep customers, not piss them off with attitude.

You can write complaints if you feel the need to vent. Personally, I'd vow to never let this happen again. The minimum balance technique assures you a much better chance of avoiding this in the future.

I hate to throw away $30 too. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do at this point. Consider a parking meter. You're walking to the car, ready to cross the street. You see the red flag click up in the meter. Just then, a parking patrol comes by and spots your car. You explain that your time ended only seconds ago. But, you still get the ticket. Another $30 wasted.

In the future leave yourself a wider safety margin. Then, hopefully, this'll never happen again.

Have a happy new year!

You are one of the "Special" people that the rules don't apply to. Why should the bank treat you aqny differently because you are 1 cent instead of a larger amount over.
The bank offer overdraft protection which you either refused or used up.
The paperwork you receive with your account tells you when the fees are applicable.

Suck it up and pay your fees. The fees are how the banks make money so of course they won;t make an exception just because you think you're SPECIAL

You are one of the "Special" people that the rules don't apply to. Why should the bank treat you aqny differently because you are 1 cent instead of a larger amount over.
The bank offer overdraft protection which you either refused or used up.
The paperwork you receive with your account tells you when the fees are applicable.

Suck it up and pay your fees. The fees are how the banks make money so of course they won;t make an exception just because you think you're SPECIAL

You are one of the "Special" people that the rules don't apply to. Why should the bank treat you aqny differently because you are 1 cent instead of a larger amount over.
The bank offer overdraft protection which you either refused or used up.
The paperwork you receive with your account tells you when the fees are applicable.

Suck it up and pay your fees. The fees are how the banks make money so of course they won;t make an exception just because you think you're SPECIAL