Wachovia Bank 500% in overdraft fees! Comically rude bank manager and phone operators! Charlotte North Carolina

September 11, 2008

Last week, I pulled $100 out of the ATM, noticing I had $53 left - I continued to make purchases over the weekend: gas station, movie store, fast food etc. I pulled up my account on monday and found my account overdrawn by $377.43.

I went to the local branch on Haywood Rd here in Asheville, where they know me by name and are typically very polite, to speak to a manager. He printed up a report and I did some math, determining that the bank had charged me $315 for 9 purchases totalling less than $70 dollars. I started circling numbers pointing out the fact that the bank had charged me nearly 5 times more than I spent, asking the manager if that seemed right. He said "Yeah, that seems about right...", apparently refering to the math. I asked again, "No, does that seem right to you?" He offered to refund 25% of the fees, which I said was not enough, because the ATM had told me I had enough to cover my purchases.
If the ATM hadn't said I had a positive amount, I would chalk it up as my mistake and bite the bullet, but I found their charges pretty much inexcusable. I TOLD THE MANAGER I WAS GOING TO CANCEL MY ACCOUNT AND HE THREATENED TO RETRACT THE 25% REFUND!

I left and called the customer service line, getting the same lines about keeping a paper record (then whats the point of having an account). Its so irritating how they try to placate you with lines like "I would be upset too". Whatever. Realizing that 25% was the best they'd do, I hung up ONLY TO RECIEVE A CALL FROM AN UNKNOWN NUMBER. IT WAS THE OPERATOR, FURIOUS AND WANTING TO KNOW WHY I'D HUNG UP. When I asked why she called me from an unlisted number and started to list my complaints again. She said she was going to record the conversation. I told her to go ahead, I would love her bosses to know she called me up at my home to cuss me out for hanging up on her.

Anyway, Wachovia is going under. All their employees are screwed on retirement and stock options (I know because my poor aunt works there).
Get out while you can. Cash and carry.

Bryn
Asheville, North Carolina
U.S.A.