Do you ever "complain" to get out of things?

[Backroads]

Husband and I, usually holding a very sturdy bank account, had an odd financial week involving a messed-up paycheck issue and some other things. The issues snowballed because we weren't watching the account for a few days, we got a moderate chunk of overdraft fees (nothing terrible, but still irritating).

So, thinking how my sister who once worked for this bank says they pretty much waive anything a customer asks them to, I called up the bank with a story of how we are generally such awesome people and would they pretty please remove the overdraft charges? (They did.)

Now, is this a part of modern business ways that I might as well take advantage of, or is this one of those cases where we should honor our mistakes and accept the consequences?

[Sunday21]

34 minutes ago, Backroads said:

Husband and I, usually holding a very sturdy bank account, had an odd financial week involving a messed-up paycheck issue and some other things. The issues snowballed because we weren't watching the account for a few days, we got a moderate chunk of overdraft fees (nothing terrible, but still irritating).

So, thinking how my sister who once worked for this bank says they pretty much waive anything a customer asks them to, I called up the bank with a story of how we are generally such awesome people and would they pretty please remove the overdraft charges? (They did.)

Now, is this a part of modern business ways that I might as well take advantage of, or is this one of those cases where we should honor our mistakes and accept the consequences?

I think honouring established customers is a great tradition in all commercial interactions. I was called to address a group of employees on some improving subject (be nice to each other for a change!). I forgot to put my parking pass on my dashboard and I got a ticket. The city waved the ticket when I showed them the pass in part because it was my first ticket. Forgiveness is celestial.

Edited June 3, 2017 by Sunday21

[Guest MormonGator]

1 hour ago, Backroads said:

Husband and I, usually holding a very sturdy bank account, had an odd financial week involving a messed-up paycheck issue and some other things. The issues snowballed because we weren't watching the account for a few days, we got a moderate chunk of overdraft fees (nothing terrible, but still irritating).

So, thinking how my sister who once worked for this bank says they pretty much waive anything a customer asks them to, I called up the bank with a story of how we are generally such awesome people and would they pretty please remove the overdraft charges? (They did.)

Now, is this a part of modern business ways that I might as well take advantage of, or is this one of those cases where we should honor our mistakes and accept the consequences?

@Backroads-I'm going to ask you a blunt question. Do you think the bank cares about you? They don't, they just care about your money. They know that if they waive this or that fee one time, there is a greater chance you'll stick with them. Take advantage of the situation and move on. 

Edited June 3, 2017 by MormonGator

[Guest Godless]

When dealing with businesses (especially large companies), it never hurts to try to talk your way out of giving them your money. It won't always work, but it never hurts to try. The important thing is to always be polite and courteous in those situations when you know you messed up and you're trying to get some leniency.

[Backroads]

3 hours ago, MormonGator said:

@Backroads-I'm going to ask you a blunt question. Do you think the bank cares about you? They don't, they just care about your money. They know that if they waive this or that fee one time, there is a greater chance you'll stick with them. Take advantage of the situation and move on. 

I don't know if it's so much I care that they care about what I think. Part of me feels it's almost dishonest to try to find loopholes and bargains in such policies. Not complaining, really, but I wonder if our society is programmed to finangle whatever they can.

[Sunday21]

9 hours ago, Backroads said:

I don't know if it's so much I care that they care about what I think. Part of me feels it's almost dishonest to try to find loopholes and bargains in such policies. Not complaining, really, but I wonder if our society is programmed to finangle whatever they can.

Seriously you must meet my family! Complaining to companies is an Olympic sport in the Scottish branch of my family.

An ex brother in law broke a kettle of my mothers totally his fault. He took the kettle back to the store and made a fuss until they gave him a new kettle. No receipt and...this was not the store at which my mother bought the kettle! ( my ex BIL thought it was the right store and keep protesting 'my MIL only shops at this store'). 

My mom pays about $7/ month for cable. Why? She complains about everything!

My mother had her city drive to her house and give her paper bags for her leaves. Why? She complains so much.

Mother pays bills through her credit card. She changed the number and forgot about the payments. The companies charged her a late fee. My mother had her bank pay the charges. Why? She goes and talks to her bank several times a week.

My aunts and uncles are legendary. i had an uncle who had to wear a portable oxygen tank. he would take this tank to him to stores to complain. My family were aggrieved.  Felt this gave him an unfair advantage! I am surprised they didn't all get little oxygen tanks.

i was married to someone from England who was appalled by my family's behaviour. He would pontificate that we were single handedly destroying the economy...and then he caught the bug and became Super-complainer! 

It is a funny thing about uk and Irish  and some European immigrants to Canada. They arrive quiet well behaved and after a decade, some become the most strident consumer advocates, you have ever met. Many have confessed to me that they would never complain in their home country but after a decade here, they are smoking hot consumer advocates. 

 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2017 by Sunday21

[Maureen]

23 hours ago, Backroads said:

...So, thinking how my sister who once worked for this bank says they pretty much waive anything a customer asks them to, I called up the bank with a story of how we are generally such awesome people and would they pretty please remove the overdraft charges? (They did.)

Now, is this a part of modern business ways that I might as well take advantage of, or is this one of those cases where we should honor our mistakes and accept the consequences?

I wouldn't call your bank situation as not accepting the consequences. The overdraft fee is obviously not carved in stone. You explained your situation and the bank agreed to forgive. It would be different if they did not forgive and you kept pressuring them to forgive.

M.

[anatess2]

On 6/3/2017 at 5:30 PM, Backroads said:

Husband and I, usually holding a very sturdy bank account, had an odd financial week involving a messed-up paycheck issue and some other things. The issues snowballed because we weren't watching the account for a few days, we got a moderate chunk of overdraft fees (nothing terrible, but still irritating).

So, thinking how my sister who once worked for this bank says they pretty much waive anything a customer asks them to, I called up the bank with a story of how we are generally such awesome people and would they pretty please remove the overdraft charges? (They did.)

Now, is this a part of modern business ways that I might as well take advantage of, or is this one of those cases where we should honor our mistakes and accept the consequences?

The overdraft fee is not necessarily a punishment for overdraft but rather a deterrent for overdrafts.  You know if your bank puts high importance on quality customer service because they won't nickle-and-dime you on fees unless the bank would benefit more from you taking your business elsewhere.  Bank of America has terrible customer service.

[Bini]

On 6/3/2017 at 4:43 PM, MormonGator said:

@Backroads-I'm going to ask you a blunt question. Do you think the bank cares about you? They don't, they just care about your money. They know that if they waive this or that fee one time, there is a greater chance you'll stick with them. Take advantage of the situation and move on. 

Hahahah. I mean really. This says it all. Ha!