Citibank strikes once more :-(

I saw this today from Citibank:

As of November 7, 2008, there are several change that impact Citibank's two overdraft protection services: Safety Checking and Checking Plus^® (variable rate):

• Citibank will charge an Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee of $10 each day we cover overdrafts by transferring money from your Checking Plus® account, your Checking Plus^® (variable rate) account, or your Safety Check contributing account. The Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee will be charged to the checking account that receives the transfer. This fee is waived for Citigold^®, Citi Private Bank, International Personal Banking, and Global Executive Banking customers
• Both Safety Check and Checking Plus^® will transfer the amount needed to cover your overdraft plus any applicable fees. The amount transferred is rounded up to the nearest $100, so you have extra protection if other overdrafts occur. If you don't need the extra coverage, just transfer the funds from checking back to your Checking Plus line of credit or to your savings or money market account.

This is so crazy! Why would they charge me a transfer fee? And to make it worst, it will be by day!

So when they move up to the nearest $100, you will have to pay the interest on that money if you forget to move it back.

With all the fees that Citi has charged me over the years, you would think they would be in better financial state?

By the way, I never saw this notice prior to Nov. 7!

what are banks for anyways?

I just went to Bank of America during lunch and withdraw some money. I was charged $3.00 for this convenience. Of course, my own bank will do the same later on when I get my statement. Of course in the town where I live, there is only one branch of my bank close to where I live, but that is an entire other story.

I then went inside the bank and stood on line and waited my turn. When I was called forward, I asked for a roll of quarters which is $10 and I presented a $20. The agent said to me if I had an account with Bank of America, I said no (I actually have a credit card and brokerage accounts with them, but I don't think those count). She then said that they usually don't give change to non-customers. The nerve I thought. where do these banks get off with saying such silliness.

I then mentioned to her, that I guess that I'm a customer since I just paid $10 to use your ATM. She then said we don't charge $10, to which I said, I made an error, I meant $3.

I thought she was quite rude as she did look at me funny when she made the last comment. I then thanked her and left the bank.

Weird Citibank e-mail

I just got this today as I am a Citibank customer. What bold step? The e-mail tells me nothing, but just invite me to reply to it or get on the phone with them. Should I be scared?




Dear ,

I want you to be among the first to know about the bold steps we are taking at Citi to be the premier, global, fully integrated financial services firm.

Our objective is to create for our customers an experience in which services are seamless, payments and transfers effortless, and distances meaningless. My commitment - and the commitment of everyone at Citi - is to work tirelessly around the world and around the clock to deliver outstanding value and service as we continue to earn your trust.

We are proud of our enduring strength as a global financial institution, striving to successfully meet the needs of clients like you in more than 100 countries. As always, we look forward to continuing to serve you - wherever you are and wherever you need to be.

Sincerely,

Vikram Pandit
CEO, Citi

Bell South and closing an account

I have been trying to disconnect phone service for a family member for a month now and there is no way to do this online. As a matter of fact, I can't even find out who to call. Today, I went back to their site and I saw that they had a Live Chat. Here is my experience with it. I've changed the name of the agent to protect their privacy.

Please wait for a representative to respond.

All representatives are currently assisting others. Thanks for your patience. A representative will be with you shortly.

Thank you for chatting with AT&T. My name is . How may I help you today?

you: hi,

you: i wanted to cancel my service and there is no way to do it online

A: Hello, how may I assist you?

you: i tried since mid lat month and no go

you: how do i do that?

you: i no longer live in florida

A: For security purposes we are unable to process your request to disconnect service via online. You would need to contact the business office at 1.888.757.6500 option 4 and a specialist would be more than happy to assist you with your request. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 700am-600pm central time and then on Saturday 700am-400pm central time.

you: i think that is no a good customer service

you: just fyi, FPL [Florida Power and Light] did it online with ease

A: I sincerely apologize, for security reasons you would need to speak with a representative.

A: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

you: 1). The information you just gave me about how to close an account is not even avaialble online

you: i'd like you to search your own web site and see if you can find that info. I am so upset with you all about this

you: it is as if you dont want a customer to be able to close an account so u make it difficult

you: i'd like you to send my comment to a manager who can review it please

you: thanks for your help today.

A: Thank you for doing business with AT&T. Have a great day!

A: Since we have not heard back from you, we will go ahead and disconnect the chat. Thank you for choosing AT&T, we appreciate your business. If you need further assistance please visit www.bellsouth.com and click the "contact us" button and send us an email.

Be sure to visit our Special Offers page at www.bellsouth.com/promos to see current offers for Residential customers. Or www.bellsouth.com/smallbusiness for Small Business customers.

The nerve of trying to sell me crap after all this.

I then called the number given and they wanted to hear nothing of my protesting about not being able to do this online. Actually, it was difficult to find the close/cancel option and when I did, the sub-menu did not have the cancel option, eventually I got a person who helped.

They get into retention mode and when I told them it was a move, they wanted to sell me service at the new address. Not at all after this bad service. I told them we now have a mobile so no need. Absolutely rude they were and they always ask that stupid question, if they gave maximum customer service; duh?

Sam's Club

My mom just moved from Florida and her TV no longer works. She called me to tell me and then I thought, I'll call Sam's to see what gives.

First, though I went on their site and tried to sign in. No go at all as it said I lost my card!

Your card has been lost. Please register with your new membership number. If you wish to purchase a new membership, click here.

Of course not as I have that card in my possession, so how could I have lost it? I had them send me my password as I thought that I had forgotten it since it would not log me in and the same message again. I even tried to update my card, but same message.

So finally, I called up and the options on the line do not allow me to talk to a person. Finally I picked an option about online purchases. A lady came on the line and said she can't help me as I did not buy the TV online. I said, but you are saying that I cannot get into my account to see when I bought the TV? She said no. I found that quite strange.

She then gave me the number for the store in Florida for me to call so that they can take care of me there. I then asked her what she does and she says that they help people with getting into their account. So I told her I had issues. She looked up my account and confirmed that I lost my card or it was reported lost. I told her again that I am looking at the card so that is not the case. She then said that I had to go to a local store for help.

If you've ever gone to a local store, you know it is a nightmare there. You can't do anything unless you have your card and they can't look up anything about your account. So I am dreading having to go there.

I told her that all I wanted to do was to find out when I bought the TV and if I had paid for the warranty. She even said that she would delete my account since I had lost my card. So I said why would she do that, she said that was how the system worked. I could tell she was getting as irritated with me as I was with her by her tone. She says that she cannot help me as I never bought that TV online. She did tell me about my TV though that I had bought online back in 2003.

She did say I should just take back the TV to the local store and they can help, but I have no receipt or anything so I don't know how that will work out. And my sister will have to do it since I am not close to where my mom is living.

I thanked her and hung up the phone very disappointed. It was just a really bad experience all around.

I then called the local store in Florida who sent me to Customer Service. I waited for about five minutes and then hung up. I called again about 30 minutes later and got the same level of service.