I'LL DO YOU ONE BETTER...HERE WAS MY EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY VIA THE COMPLAINT I SUBMITTED TO CHASE ONLINE AND THE BBB:
To Whom It May Concern:
It is with great regret I write this complaint regarding my experience with your branch on 45 Prospect Street, Stamford CT but the incident that occurred yesterday has left me no other recourse. Let me start this letter stating that I have been a loyal Chase customer for years, and switched to you after being a lifetime Sovereign/NatWest/Santander customer. I consolidated all of my accounts, checking, savings, and children accounts, did all my online bill paying, direct deposit, etc. with Chase. Yesterday at approximately 6pm (the branch was closed) I parked my car in the lot to use the ATM and noticing that there was a line of customers, and it was a cold night, I figured I would walk a block to McDonalds and the convenience store to get a Snapple, and come back to do my banking. I vaguely noticed the "gentleman" in the orange vest (and I use that word loosely) sleeping in his car, and paid no mind to it, I presumed it was after hours and parking would not be an issue. Mind you, this is something I have done at this lot for years, dozens of times, and I presumed as long as I am conducting "Chase" Business as a "Chase" Customer, I would not have a problem. I was not leaving the car overnight, and I would be back soon. I could not have been more wrong.
I got back to the parking lot, went to the ATM at 7:25 (so I was gone a little more than an hour) and noticed something was not right. There was a car too close to mine and upon inspection I had a boot on my wheel. I tried to explain that I am a Chase customer, showed him my ATM receipt and MAC Card as proof. At this point I was verbally berated by Avalon Towing, demanding $95 dollars "OR ELSE", called "ignorant" for not reading the signs, and when I mentioned I was an attorney and would be writing this email was told "I must be the worst attorney in the world". These are direct quotes, and not in calm manner (not that would justify the insults) but in a loud, rude, demeaning tone, to the point in hindsight, I probably should have called the police. Rather than escalate the confrontation, I asked for his name on the receipt which he refused, paid the $95 and left.
Today I went to the branch to report this incident and spoke to the Assistant Manager, who was equally disconnected and not understanding my point of view. The signs say in the lot "Parking for Bank Patrons Only" and "Illegally Parked & Unauthorized Vehicles with be Towed or Booted" (SEE ATTACHED), well, I was a Bank Patron, and as a business invitee I was NOT illegally parked or unauthorized. I could not get through to the Manager, and ultimately closed my 3 savings accounts for myself and my two children. Basically I was told Chase does not value me as a customer, and more importantly the Manager seemed more sympathetic to Avalon stating "that guy has to have some thick skin...I wouldn't want his job". In the client service business there is no excuse for rude, crass, or threatening behavior, regardless of the situation. I wonder what the BBB, or FED, or more importantly the Stamford Advocate would feel about how Chase is treating its customers. I understand some fault 10-25%, lets even say 50% is mine for not reading the fine print on the signs about "walk away" and leaving my car unattended for an hour or so, but that seems like a lot of discretion and power to give Avalon and I debate whether it could be reasonable that a banking customer grab a drink or bite while doing his or her banking before, during or after conducting legitimate banking business. Again I had no other recourse other than to close my non-essential accounts, and as soon as I can get my affairs in order will be closing the checking account, I just cannot do so due to direct deposit and some reoccurring bill pay set-ups.
If you would like to discuss this further please contact me but from my experience with Chase, my expectations of positive resolution are very low. read more