When I was a kid, my first checking account came with no pre-printed name and no checking account number on my checks. I entered that information myself, and the local stores were always willing to take my checks, even without identification. Sometimes, it would take my checks a week or more to clear the bank, but the bank always honored my deposits as soon as I made them.
We, my fellow Americans, the world has changed and we have now been categorized as untrustworthy bums. My, how my character, for one, has changed from being an honest and upstanding citizen to being on the very precipice of criminality! It must be in the air, because you're standing next to me, ready to be booked and jailed!
I went into Wal-Mart the other day and bought a bunch of groceries and goodies, as I have been doing for many years now, and I wrote out a check and.... They asked for my identification. Just last week, I pulled out my identification in anticipation of having to show it, and the clerk told me that the computer recognized my account and that I shouldn't be bothered. "And, thanks for your business, sir." But, on my last visit, their computers suddenly didn't remember me.
Oh well, it was raining outside; maybe that had something to do with it? Not so fast. "Sir," (at least she remembered my name), I need you to sign here."
"What am I signing?" I started fumbling in my pocket for my reading glasses.
"You're signing saying that you know we have already presented your check to your bank and withdrawn the money from your account electronically and that, although I am handing you your check back, you're not going to contest the withdrawal of the funds from the bank."
"Huh? I don't understand. You've already taken the money out of my account? Normally the check clears my bank Monday or Tuesday."
"It's the new policy. Too many people bounce checks."
"I have never bounced a check in my life," I was angered and belittled. The people in line behind me were giving me accusatory stares.
"That's not MY problem," she smiled. "It's yours."
To put it mildly, I was flat pissed-off. But, that's not the end of the story.
My bank is U.S. Bank. I've been a customer there for years. I keep an extra couple of hundred bucks in my account... don't even carry it on my register. So, I don't bounce checks. And, I have never had a deposit that didn't clear, either. As a matter of fact, my employer has over $5,000,000 on deposit in that same bank. One Friday, after I had made several major purchases, I stopped by the bank to deposit a $2,000 payroll check from my employer. I also asked them to transfer $740 from my account to my landlord's account, (he also banks at U.S. Bank). They accomodated my request.
A few days later, I got an overdraft notice at the bank. Upon investigation, it turned out that I only had a $600 balance when I went to the bank and deposited my $2,000. So, by their theory, my transfer of $740 to my landlord overdrew my account by $140. "How could that be?" I argued. "I deposited $2,000 at the same time!"
"Oh," they explained, "We don't count your deposits as cleared until the next business day, which would be Monday."
"But, my paycheck is on YOUR bank! My employer has over $5,000,000 here in your bank! And, if you weren't going to honor their check, why did you allow me to transfer $740 to my landlord's account?"
"Oh, we certainly wouldn't want to embarrass you, 'Sir!'"
"So, you charged me $30 for insufficient funds and $30 for your paying a check to my landlord that was drawn on insufficient funds and you didn't say a damned word at the window? I want my damned $60 back and I want an apology!"
"That's not our policy," she smiled. "Have a nice day."
Fact is, the biggest retailer in the country and one of the biggest banks in the country have now determined that I am a deadbeat. But, my fellow American, don't be so smug. They're going to do the same thing to you.
I don't know about you but I, as one of the millions of people who make this national economy work, am sick and tired of the myriad of government and business policies that cause me to be treated like a Jew on the way to the furnace.
That's MY AMERICAN OPINION, respectfully and angrily submitted.
We, my fellow Americans, the world has changed and we have now been categorized as untrustworthy bums. My, how my character, for one, has changed from being an honest and upstanding citizen to being on the very precipice of criminality! It must be in the air, because you're standing next to me, ready to be booked and jailed!
I went into Wal-Mart the other day and bought a bunch of groceries and goodies, as I have been doing for many years now, and I wrote out a check and.... They asked for my identification. Just last week, I pulled out my identification in anticipation of having to show it, and the clerk told me that the computer recognized my account and that I shouldn't be bothered. "And, thanks for your business, sir." But, on my last visit, their computers suddenly didn't remember me.
Oh well, it was raining outside; maybe that had something to do with it? Not so fast. "Sir," (at least she remembered my name), I need you to sign here."
"What am I signing?" I started fumbling in my pocket for my reading glasses.
"You're signing saying that you know we have already presented your check to your bank and withdrawn the money from your account electronically and that, although I am handing you your check back, you're not going to contest the withdrawal of the funds from the bank."
"Huh? I don't understand. You've already taken the money out of my account? Normally the check clears my bank Monday or Tuesday."
"It's the new policy. Too many people bounce checks."
"I have never bounced a check in my life," I was angered and belittled. The people in line behind me were giving me accusatory stares.
"That's not MY problem," she smiled. "It's yours."
To put it mildly, I was flat pissed-off. But, that's not the end of the story.
My bank is U.S. Bank. I've been a customer there for years. I keep an extra couple of hundred bucks in my account... don't even carry it on my register. So, I don't bounce checks. And, I have never had a deposit that didn't clear, either. As a matter of fact, my employer has over $5,000,000 on deposit in that same bank. One Friday, after I had made several major purchases, I stopped by the bank to deposit a $2,000 payroll check from my employer. I also asked them to transfer $740 from my account to my landlord's account, (he also banks at U.S. Bank). They accomodated my request.
A few days later, I got an overdraft notice at the bank. Upon investigation, it turned out that I only had a $600 balance when I went to the bank and deposited my $2,000. So, by their theory, my transfer of $740 to my landlord overdrew my account by $140. "How could that be?" I argued. "I deposited $2,000 at the same time!"
"Oh," they explained, "We don't count your deposits as cleared until the next business day, which would be Monday."
"But, my paycheck is on YOUR bank! My employer has over $5,000,000 here in your bank! And, if you weren't going to honor their check, why did you allow me to transfer $740 to my landlord's account?"
"Oh, we certainly wouldn't want to embarrass you, 'Sir!'"
"So, you charged me $30 for insufficient funds and $30 for your paying a check to my landlord that was drawn on insufficient funds and you didn't say a damned word at the window? I want my damned $60 back and I want an apology!"
"That's not our policy," she smiled. "Have a nice day."
Fact is, the biggest retailer in the country and one of the biggest banks in the country have now determined that I am a deadbeat. But, my fellow American, don't be so smug. They're going to do the same thing to you.
I don't know about you but I, as one of the millions of people who make this national economy work, am sick and tired of the myriad of government and business policies that cause me to be treated like a Jew on the way to the furnace.
That's MY AMERICAN OPINION, respectfully and angrily submitted.
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