When we moved to the Avalon area, we were really happy that there was a Washington Mutual so close to our house. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.
But then it all went wrong.
Chase bought out WaMu. I could go on with reasons why we didn't like Chase and why we switched banks, but I won't. Instead, I'll explain why we had to switch Chase locations (until we finally just switched banks) despite inconvenience to us.
When Chase came in, they did a lot of cleaning house. Some staff was let go, others were kept (possibly even promoted) and new staff was brought in. This is all to be expected with a buyout - and while it was disconcerting that our favorite employee had lost her job and now works at the Walgreen's down the street, we know that most of it wasn't an personal issue.
But staff changes were only the smallest change. The personality, friendliness and accuracy/efficiency also all took huge hits.
I don't know what the difference in corporate culture is between the two companies, but everyone here now acts like they need to have a stick surgically removed from... well.. somewhere.
That is - except when they're trying to up-sell you into opening a new account. During those pitches, these workers are your best friends. You can't do anything in here without getting pitched to. Just in for a deposit? "Why don't you open another savings account?" "No thanks." "But you really do need one. We've got great rates." "Thanks, I've already got a few." "But you could always use one more." Seriously, I've seen door-to-door preachers who are less insisting. If it were just an occasional pitch, I really wouldn't care - but you can't talk to a single person in the branch without hearing at least one pitch.
But OK, they probably have a quota to fill. Can't totally blame them for trying to keep their jobs, right? Fine.
When I was with WaMu, I had had a Gold Checking account. When Chase took over, they got rid of the account type - but hey - that wasn't going to stop them from charging me for it. Of course, that wasn't the fault of this branch. Not at first, at least.
Of course, after being charged a few times, and realizing it wasn't going to go away on its own, I went into this branch.
"Oh, hey - you're being charged for an account type we don't even offer."
"I know, that's what I want to have fixed."
"Sure thing! Let me just update this info. There, fixed!"
Wow, that sure was easy!
Yeah... except I was still getting charged.
Went in again. "Oh, I see - they didn't update this OTHER flag. Fixed."
Nope.
Went in again. "Oh, I'm not sure why. Let me get my manager." ... "Fixed!"
Nope.
Finally gave up as we had decided to switch banks shortly. Still had to go in to take care of something. "Hey, I notice that you have an account we don't offer anymore. I can fix that." "Oh, really? Three others have tried and failed." "Oh, let me get my manager." "Your manager was one of them."
No clue what Chase did to this branch internally, but none of it was good. read more