Got screwed by Washington Mutual

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: Babbles
You want to screw them for your own incompetence?

That is the best summary of the situation I've read yet. :thumbsup:

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: Doboji
Just call em up and talk to them.... if this is your first time, you can probably get the charges reversed... I used to know a guy who worked for WM... he's the one who told me this. Just talk to them.

-Max

He's too hot headed to talk to them. Instead of figuring out how to reverse the charges by calling different rep, going to the branch office and etc... he comes to post on ATOT and blame the bank fine print, corporate greed and figuring out a childish way to "screw" WM over.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
You have an overdraft fee because WA automatically gives you like $200 in overdraft protection. To make it even worse (or better) they keep adding to that amount.

I'm confused here... are you saying we can overdraft up to $200 without being penalized ? For a free checking account ? Not the case with me when I got hit for being < $100 over one day.

Mine is like $2000 with WAMU but that is another reason they hand out fees since even if you have money in another account, they can't touch it and you just borrowed their money.

In general, people do not want to take responsibility for their own mistakes.

 

[Bumrush99]

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: KLin
Close the account. That'll show those assholes they can't mess with you and your 350 dollar paycheck.

Right! That's what I would do. Hurt them. :laugh:

I work for Washington Mutual.

Please leave. Believe me, the mortal wound you will inflict on our tiny institution will probably bring the entire corporation to its knees.

Thanks for putting an ATOT'er out of a job.

Let me guess you work for the customer service department?? Keep up the positive and helpful work!

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
You have an overdraft fee because WA automatically gives you like $200 in overdraft protection. To make it even worse (or better) they keep adding to that amount.

I'm confused here... are you saying we can overdraft up to $200 without being penalized ? For a free checking account ? Not the case with me when I got hit for being < $100 over one day.

Mine is like $2000 with WAMU but that is another reason they hand out fees since even if you have money in another account, they can't touch it and you just borrowed their money.

In general, people do not want to take responsibility for their own mistakes.

free checking account... what's the overdraft protection they offer for free ? That's all I want to know... you guys are making things confusing. No savings account in the picture...

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: KLin
Close the account. That'll show those assholes they can't mess with you and your 350 dollar paycheck.

hahahaha

 

[KingPhil]

1- This is why I use my Credit Union and not a bank

2- This is why I have Overdraft Protection on my account. If for some reason I pull more money out than I have, they simply give me the money (up to $1000) and I have to pay that back like a loan at some high interest rate (16.9% I think).

No biggie........ Sucks for you, good luck!

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: KLin
Close the account. That'll show those assholes they can't mess with you and your 350 dollar paycheck.

hahahaha

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
You have an overdraft fee because WA automatically gives you like $200 in overdraft protection. To make it even worse (or better) they keep adding to that amount.

I'm confused here... are you saying we can overdraft up to $200 without being penalized ? For a free checking account ? Not the case with me when I got hit for being < $100 over one day.

Mine is like $2000 with WAMU but that is another reason they hand out fees since even if you have money in another account, they can't touch it and you just borrowed their money.

In general, people do not want to take responsibility for their own mistakes.

free checking account... what's the overdraft protection they offer for free ? That's all I want to know... you guys are making things confusing. No savings account in the picture...

When you open a checking account at WAMU they give you overdraft protection up to $200. This is without you having money to cover the overdraft anywhere like a savings acount.

When you overdraft they honor the check or let you purchase on the bank card down to -$200. However each transaction is hit with a $30 "overdraft fee". This saves you from a merchant returned check fee being added to the mix.

After your account is open a few months they begin raising this nonsecured overdraft protection. Mine is over $1K.

 

[mchammer187]

debit/check cards FTL!

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Originally posted by: Bumrush99

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: KLin
Close the account. That'll show those assholes they can't mess with you and your 350 dollar paycheck.

Right! That's what I would do. Hurt them. :laugh:

I work for Washington Mutual.

Please leave. Believe me, the mortal wound you will inflict on our tiny institution will probably bring the entire corporation to its knees.

Thanks for putting an ATOT'er out of a job.

Let me guess you work for the customer service department?? Keep up the positive and helpful work!

Umm... no. Strategic Sourcing.

Nice try.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

i'll have to agree w/ the majority. You screwed yourself. Like WaMu would really care if you closed you acct. They won't miss you for one second.

Must one of those ppl that sues McD's after you burned yourself with hot coffee.

 

[Argo]

It's your fault, however that's very messed of them. No warnings, 7 separate fines? And they aren't even willing to help you?

Regardless, I would recommend overdraft protection to everybody. I get one with chase, doesn't cost me a thing and must've saved me hundreds of dollars over the years.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
I've never even heard of an "overdraft fee." I would expect that if you write a bad check it would bounce. I would expect that if you tried to withdrawl money you did not have you would not get the money. I would expect that if you tried to pay with a debit card with no money it would be denied. This seems logical enough to me.

All banks do this, it's a way for them to offer Overdraft protection which means you have to carry a certain amount in a liked savings account. Wamu wanted like $500 in the savings account that I couldn't make interest off of, because they would be making interest off of my money.

Tell the bank that you had the money i your savings account to cover the expenditures. Bargin and say you'll pay one OD fee. I can gaurantee if you don't pay the OD fees and get that account back in the positive, they'll transfer money from your savings into your checking without telling you to balance it.

 

[theGlove]

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
I accidentally deposited my last paycheck into my savings rather than checking account. My fault, I know.

However, I then went out and ran a number of small errands during which I made six check card withdrawls and one $20 withdrawl from Washington Mutuals own ATM. This all amounted to less than $50. Not once, not even at their own atm, was a told I had overdrawn my account.

So today I get a statement with SEVEN overdraft fees (all on the same day) amounting to over $150. And they refuse to refund them. I even threatened to close my account and the asshole manager says "well I was going to refund one but now that you said that I can't do that."

I know they have covered their asses from all angles but I'm going to find some way to get them back. Any ideas?

whats the deal with 7 transactions in 1 day? why not just do 1 transaction, ie take out $50 instead of like $7 each time.

 

[Hammer]

you get what you pay for. you chose to go with a crappy no frills bank. deal with it.

 

[Phoenix15]

Originally posted by: KLin
Close the account. That'll show those assholes they can't mess with you and your 350 dollar paycheck.

Man, you sound like a real swell guy. :thumbsdown:

 

[Doggiedog]

LOL I just got hosed by Wamu too right now.

I had a refund check lying around from them. I called them to ask if it was still good and they said yes. I deposited it and it bounced. Now I have to pay a bounced check fee because of them.

 

[fornax]

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Umm... no. Strategic Sourcing.
Nice try.

You should move to customer service. They need rude jerks with attitude like yours. WM has one of worst reputations in the banking industry (right up there with payday loan places), and I can see why.

To the OP: hopefully this will teach you a few things:

1. Don't bank with WM. The locomotive is just one example of the type of people who work there. Don't pay attention to the jockers here who claim that WM won't feel your closing of the account. They will. If your checking account has no fees, don't close it but leave something like a nickel worth of money there. It will cost them more to maintain it. Spead the word about WM's lousy service.

2. Don't use check cards, only credit cards and pure ATM cards.

3. With your next bank, make sure you don't have overdraft protection, and ask about the automatic transfer from savings to checking (in many banks/CUs it's free).

4. Try finding a credit union to bank with, a bigger one, if possible (some of the smaller ones don't have a full range of services).

5. If you decide to go with a bank, check out the numerous deals where they offer you anything from $50 to $500 or some gadget (iPod, DVD player, etc.) for opening an account with them.

Finally, as several people suggested, try talking to a different person, and BE NICE. If you come to them with an attitude, they'll be hostile too. Remember, YOU screwed up and they don't have to do anything.

 

[Chrono]

dude, dude.
dude!

 

[Cpt Cupcake]

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
Hey I'm not saying I didn't goof up. But I don't think that goof up warranted $150 in fees. It's a sleezy business tactic and you know it is.

If you think it's sleazy, then you might as well cash your checks and put your money under your mattress. All banks have the same fees. Live and learn.

Thats what I do. Currency Exchange + Money Hidden in House = No Bank Fees

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: fornax

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Umm... no. Strategic Sourcing.
Nice try.

You should move to customer service. They need rude jerks with attitude like yours. WM has one of worst reputations in the banking industry (right up there with payday loan places), and I can see why.

To the OP: hopefully this will teach you a few things:

1. Don't bank with WM. The locomotive is just one example of the type of people who work there. Don't pay attention to the jockers here who claim that WM won't feel your closing of the account. They will. If your checking account has no fees, don't close it but leave something like a nickel worth of money there. It will cost them more to maintain it. Spead the word about WM's lousy service.

2. Don't use check cards, only credit cards and pure ATM cards.

3. With your next bank, make sure you don't have overdraft protection, and ask about the automatic transfer from savings to checking (in many banks/CUs it's free).

4. Try finding a credit union to bank with, a bigger one, if possible (some of the smaller ones don't have a full range of services).

5. If you decide to go with a bank, check out the numerous deals where they offer you anything from $50 to $500 or some gadget (iPod, DVD player, etc.) for opening an account with them.

Finally, as several people suggested, try talking to a different person, and BE NICE. If you come to them with an attitude, they'll be hostile too. Remember, YOU screwed up and they don't have to do anything.

a lot of wierd advice above...not all 'overdraft' via savings is free either, some banks charge a transfer fee.

In general, if you use an account without money in it you will get hit with a fee usually, either you are using the bank's money, the item gets 'bounced', or they have to do a transfer from another account.

Everyone's been at a paycheck to paycheck kind of life save those who just want to ride apron strings and coat tails...the trick is learning a decent budget and keeping the overdrafts to minimum.

WAMU and other banks would really rather not deal with those with 3 figure accounts, even low 4 figure ones, esp free.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: fornax

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Umm... no. Strategic Sourcing.
Nice try.

You should move to customer service. They need rude jerks with attitude like yours. WM has one of worst reputations in the banking industry (right up there with payday loan places), and I can see why.

To the OP: hopefully this will teach you a few things:

1. Don't bank with WM. The locomotive is just one example of the type of people who work there. Don't pay attention to the jockers here who claim that WM won't feel your closing of the account. They will. If your checking account has no fees, don't close it but leave something like a nickel worth of money there. It will cost them more to maintain it. Spead the word about WM's lousy service.

2. Don't use check cards, only credit cards and pure ATM cards.

3. With your next bank, make sure you don't have overdraft protection, and ask about the automatic transfer from savings to checking (in many banks/CUs it's free).

4. Try finding a credit union to bank with, a bigger one, if possible (some of the smaller ones don't have a full range of services).

5. If you decide to go with a bank, check out the numerous deals where they offer you anything from $50 to $500 or some gadget (iPod, DVD player, etc.) for opening an account with them.

Finally, as several people suggested, try talking to a different person, and BE NICE. If you come to them with an attitude, they'll be hostile too. Remember, YOU screwed up and they don't have to do anything.

a lot of wierd advice above...not all 'overdraft' via savings is free either, some banks charge a transfer fee.

In general, if you use an account without money in it you will get hit with a fee usually, either you are using the bank's money, the item gets 'bounced', or they have to do a transfer from another account.

Everyone's been at a paycheck to paycheck kind of life save those who just want to ride apron strings and coat tails...the trick is learning a decent budget and keeping the overdrafts to minimum.

WAMU and other banks would really rather not deal with those with 3 figure accounts, even low 4 figure ones, esp free.

I'm not sure about that one. I'd like to know how much they make in fees.

Speaking more of banks like WAMU who seem to cater to the bottom end.

 

[quakefiend420]

you gotta love how people come here looking for sympathy and AT rips them a new one

 

[miniMUNCH]

Overdraft protection is your friend...you should set it up.