We often say "God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform". When was the last time you experienced a "wonder"? Well, I experienced one this morning.
We have talked about most of my woes with Bank of America. But, for those of you who may not have read those posts, here's a short synopsis: I erroneously paid my mortgage payment twice to good ole B of A. I noticed the problem on 1/7/13 and immediately called them, requesting that they refund one payment. I was told to fax them a print out to prove the money actually came out of my checking account. (Like George Soros paid the payment? not me????) I faxed that printout immediately. Two days later they called to see if I was going to fax it. I told them I HAD faxed it and they said, okay, don't worry about it. The payment should have been refunded to my account on 1/14. It was not, so I called again. They claimed never to have received my fax and could not do the refund until they did. At that point, I ended up at a B of A branch, in tears, talking to a "personal banker", with no money in my checking account. I showed him the fax report that proved I'd sent the fax. He spoke with them, but we made no progress at all, so he re-faxed the documents. I made him sign off on the fax cover sheet and give me copies of everything. On 1/21/13, again, I should have had my money. I did not. I went back to see my "personal banker", he called them, and we got nowhere. My credit card payment to B of A was due on 1/24/13. I had zippo money in my account because BofA had not refunded my money. I called them and told them I could not make the payment on time and why. They told me "no problem". Well, when I received my next bill from them, there was a $25 late payment penalty. I had already paid them the monthly payment that was "late", by then. They adjusted off the $25 late payment penalty and told me I had underpaid them by $1. We discussed it, the BofA lady and I, and I was told it was no big deal. I would just pay an extra $1 on the payment that is due 2/24/13.
Today, I got an e-mail from Typepad who handles my blog. They were trying to process the monthly payment and could not. The problem: my account was marked "past due" for $1 and all regular monthly charges were being shot down. I called B of A again. Of course, I was seething, but I kept it very well controlled. The person with whom I spoke told me he could do nothing for me except process a payment by phone for $1. However, it would take 3 business days before the $1 would be processed to my credit card account (and nothing could be charged til then). I asked him if there was anyone else there who could help me. He told me flat out I could speak to his supervisor but she wouldn't do anything for me except tell me the same thing, just using different words. I asked to speak to the supervisor........
I went through the whole big long story with the supervisor. I explained that I had had this account for 20+ years. And, that the problem was all over $1. She called the "authorization department" and got everything fixed so that Typepad could process the monthly payment. I told her very politely (really, yes, politely) how very disappointed I was in the way Bank of America had handled this whole thing, how it seemed the bank was destined to collapse under its own weight. She put me on hold and when she came back, she told me she had waived an entire month's interest charge ON THE WHOLE BALANCE on my credit card account! That results in a savings to me of over $200 as well as the interest on that $200 from now til I can pay off the account.
What a lot of frustration. What a trying time. How much I wanted to rip each successive customer "service" representative a new one........ I didn't. I passed the test. And, experienced a several hundred dollar blessing in the process. WOW! I am tempted to say that the next time good ole B of A screws up, I will just start shouting "Hallelujah" right then. Yes, I am.
The $200 is just a drop in the bucket. Really. But I'm so grateful. I have to run now. Due at a client's in just a few minutes. But I just HAD to share that story........
Really pleased you've had a bit of good luck. What surprises me though is how much in the dark ages B of A seems to be. In these days of internet banking, debits and credits to one account or another should take just a few seconds but definitely no more than a couple of hours.
Hope your good luck continues :)
Posted by: Pam (PeeJay) | February 11, 2013 at 12:50 PM