Customer Service...

Last week, I finally decided to switch banks to go to Presidents’ Choice. They pay more in interest and don’t charge nearly as many service fees (though the bank I am at now doesn't really charge fees either).

Checking out their website online, it made the most sense to me to actually go to a store location rather than apply online (the account would be open the same day rather than a few weeks if done online).

The website said that one requires two forms of ID – one of which had to have a photo.

I called a location in my city and asked if I could book an appointment. I was told that they don’t book appointments but that they’d be there during the listed business hours and that I should just stop by.

So, this past Friday, during my lunch hour, I drove over to the nearest location to my office. When I got there, I was told by the ‘teller’ that it would be only a 15 minute wait (there were two other people ahead of me). Stupidly, I believed her! I sat, and I sat and I sat. FINALLY, almost an hour later it was my turn.

But then…

It turns out, that despite the website’s claim, one of my form’s of ID was not acceptable (in case you are curious, a provincial health card is not a valid form of ID).

Thus, I had gone to the store/bank for NOTHING (despite, I might add, having checked with the person over the phone the day before about whether I needed to bring my marriage certificate, passport etc. and being told no!)

To make matters worse, while I was walking back to my office from my parking spot, some idiot driving a hummer decided to soak me! You see, in my parking lot, there had been giant piles of snow piled at the corners during the winter. Because it was nice outside, this snow had melted into a very deep puddle. The driver, seeing this puddle, sped up – yes on purpose – and drove full on into the puddle – soaking me and everyone around me from head to foot. My suit, dress coat, hair, everything was covered in dirty disgusting water.

Anyway, suffice it to say, I was not a happy camper Friday afternoon.

But then…

On Saturday, not having learned my lesson, I decided to go to a different Presidents’ Choice branch location (the one that I had actually called on Thursday) – a location 20 minutes away by car from my apartment.

Upon arrival, however, I learned that despite the ‘teller’s’ claim, the branch was not in fact open during the cited hours. I arrived at 3 p.m. There was a sign posted indicating that the teller would not return until 4:15 p.m.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, suffice it to say, that despite the .5% higher interest rate, I have decided to stay with my current bank. At least it believes in customer service!