Every Wednesday evening I stop by my local National City bank to deposit my pay check. The check is always written for Thursday but if I come in after 6:30 pm it is considered the next business day and I can deposit my check. Now, I’ve been doing this for over four (4) years without any problem.

This past Wednesday I went to the same National City branch, at the same time and was told that I would have to come back tomorrow. “It’s after 6:30″ I exclaimed. The teller at the drive window looked at me and said “The check is written for tomorrow and you will have to come back tomorrow”. This sent my blood pressure boiling. “I’ve driven 5 miles with gasoline at $4.09 per gallon. I don’t want any money, I just want to deposit it” I said to myself. I drove out of the lane and parked my car. Walking into the bank I noticed that I didn’t recognize any tellers except one and he hadn’t been at that branch very long.

I asked to speak with the manager. This was a slim, well dressed type of guy who I’ve met dozens of his type in the past and I knew I wouldn’t get far. I asked “Are you the manager of this National City Bank Branch?” “Yes” he said with a smug look on his face. “I’ve been banking here for four years and your teller tells me that I can not deposit this check until tomorrow” I explained. “That’s right, It is written for tomorrow and you will need to deposit it tomorrow” he said with an uninterested look. “But it is past 6:30 pm and we are on tomorrow’s business” I exclaimed. “We don’t and have never done that here” he said. “But I’ve done it for four years here. Your new here, how long have you been this National City Bank Branch Manager?” I asked. “Two weeks” he replied. I walked off in anger and thoughts of switching banks ran through my mind.

It’s now almost Saturday morning and I have still yet to deposit my check. I’ll have to make another trip and waste more gas just because some young new National City Bank branch manager wouldn’t take the time to deposit a check. You guys have to learn something about customer service. Not the ability to look down your nose at a working guy. Which you do very well I might add.

PS. While I was talking with the Bank Manager I overheard the teller telling another customer at the drive thru window the same thing she had told me. I bet there was a lot of pissed off customers that day as well.