Wachovia hasn't ever screwed me over, but honestly?
They're always so rude whenever I havea question or problem to talk to them about that I'm sick of 'em.

That and frankly. ING's savings is like 4.2% right now, Wachovia's for the same amount is 0.2%.
I just got a letter today talking about how they're *upping* the percentage fees on all their credit cards, nevermind that I have not ONCE hit max balance nor paid them even so much as a DAY late (Nor have I ever bounced a check through them, or overdrafted.)

That and honestly some of their employees dont know the first thing. The ones on hillsborough (manager/advisor guys with the desks, not the folks at the counter) - couldn't answer ANY questions I had about various kinds of accounts with them (most of which college students normally arent interested in), but sure could press me applying for a credit card (and later when i did theyf ucked it up and I had to go argue with them, although it did get fixed).

Needless to say most of my money is NOT with wachovia anymore, just what i need to keep at hand but I'm seriously considering switching to someone else. Wish i'd gotten a SECU account when I was eligible, but that said, I'm still considering other banks, and hopefully will shortly get a new (better) credit card. I'll probably keep that one active for the history but use it for a couple small things and month and pay it all off. (like gas only or something).

At least I know to stay away from BoA now. BB&T maybe is going to get my buisness. When i go there with my roomate they were always a LOT more friendly.

1/25/2008 9:15:41 PM

Capital Bank pays 5.01% interest on their free checking account right now.

1/26/2008 1:05:17 PM

Fuck wachovia, BOA, and all of the other big ones.

Find a good local bank or credit union where they appreciate your business.

We did about 3 years ago and havent thought twice about it.

1/26/2008 1:56:24 PM

^ srsly

I have had accounts at CCB, SECU and CFCU and never had a problem like this.

SECU does not even charge you any fees if your debit card over draws your account. They will just let the balance go negative for the amount you are in the hole. They only way you get nailed with a fee is an NSF check or electronic account draft (through your account not debit card) then its only $12.00 per hit.

1/26/2008 3:29:35 PM

It's only in the past year that the big banks have taken on this practice of situating things to intentionally maximize overdrafts.

1/26/2008 4:43:55 PM

Quote :

"you might be more successful if you put on some nice clothes, brush your hair and go into a branch with print outs and ask to speak with someone. present the facts, not too much personal detail. be professional and polite. you'd be surprised how much you can get for just asking, being nice and looking presentable."

Yes! Well Said Wolfy. After Paypal ripped 2k out of my merchant account transfer to my Wachovia account, I was hit with several overdraft fees. Not only did they cost texa$ but it hit my credit score, too. I put on my suit and tie, went in and did just as described above. Of course they will tell you no over the phone, its easy that easy. But I would expect to pay ~25-50% of the fees if necessary but if you can negotiate that they wont send the info to your credit report then this will save you a lot of money if you are looking to get a house/car or refinance if you have those already.

Keep us posted

1/26/2008 5:09:22 PM

Quote :

"This is why you should all go to BB&T, or any other bank that offers overdraft protection via a linked line of credit. pay attention to your checking account balance"

1/26/2008 6:26:33 PM

Quote :

"You certainly bear responsibility to make sure that you have the funds in your account to cover your obligations, but I am sure that there is no shortage of assholes around to beat that dead horse."

1/26/2008 9:17:12 PM

I found out today that $500 withdrawn for a company I work for had been charged to my account (Wachovia)...problem is I only had a little over $300 in my checking account and told the company not to do this until I had the money...I've been hit with a $22 overdraft charge and have -$190 in my account. Anyway assuming I don't get my $500 back this is the first time I've had overdraft charges, for those of you that have been in this situation before:
How long do they let you go before repaying the charges?
If I write a check for my bills this week, will it go through despite the funds not being available and just result in an extra overdraft charge? (that $300 i had in there was for my fucking rent...)

1/27/2008 12:20:56 AM

You get hit for writing a bad check. As for interest rates going down on certain accounts and increasing on credit cards, we are in a credit crunch because of the subprime issues. Students are typically high risk. If you use a certain percentage of your total credit available, credit cards can up your apr as well

Try going in person to the branch. They typically will knock a few fees off for you. Banks do not care if you are in the negative and leave. They will charge off your account and put it on your credit report.

Also. SECU will not open up an account for someone that has had an account charged off at another bank. If the FSO is doing their job, they will catch that.


[Edited on January 28, 2008 at 11:35 AM. Reason : k]

1/28/2008 11:28:14 AM

like a few others have said, get a credit card.

ever since I got one when I 18, I haven't touched my debit card. i haven't had to deal with fees bullshit...and i've been getting cashback on my purchases. it adds up.

1/28/2008 10:59:34 PM

Quote :

"i just got hit with > $1000 worth of overdraft fees"

Holy shit. I check my balances daily to make sure no shady transactions get by. That's fucking nuts. What did you do, mess up and use the wrong account 30 fucking times?!?!?

1/28/2008 11:05:07 PM

if you use wachovia bill pay (via checkfree), it's down.

1/30/2008 11:03:32 AM

^^ I've had several friends with fees approaching that, basically they used the wrong account or a paycheck didn't go through and they used their debit card all weekend for all there purchases.

This is why you man up and get a good credit card or two. You have 30 days to pay, get free stuff, when there is a problem with a charge you can contest before the money is already out of your account (this has been useful with many bars), also no fucking around with double or triple holds that send you close to the amount remaining in your account, and it builds credit.

Just don't be an idiot with it and make sure you pay it off every month.



[Edited on January 30, 2008 at 1:19 PM. Reason : .]

1/30/2008 1:07:23 PM

I don't understand why people don't have check card/credit protection for their banking accounts. Do you all not know about it? Did the bank not ask you if you wanted it? Even when I was like, 16 and I got my first debit/checking card, it came with a small line of proteciton limit....

1/30/2008 1:09:39 PM