Jodi_the_g
Member
Registered: 7th Aug 01
Location: Washington D.C
User status: Offline
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Went to open a joint account today with the girlfriend, as she is an American citizen(easier to open an account with an SSN) and moving in so makes life easier on the bills.
So walked into bank of America just a local branch nothing special. No bankers where aviable to open it for us. so offered a seat.
Sat on the sofas for about 30 seconds when a member of staff came over and asked if we wanted a coffee or anything so both say coffee. given a choice then of the type expect it to come out of a coffee vending machine but no proper coffee machine like at starbucks, brings the drinks over in proper cups and a plate with Danish pastries, muffins and doughnuts on.
10-15 mins later and another top up of my coffee go into the office both have to show the normal two types of id, then they take out picture with a passport kind of machine which i think is strange.
Told to go out to the waiting area again so watching ESPN have another coffee and muffin 10 mins later he comes out with our cards, they have a picture on the back as well as the signature which I think is a really good idea, as you can use a visa for ID in some places here.
Then go to a terminal put the card in and enter your pin number you want twice.
and then the card and account are ready to go.
So within 40-50 mins have great customer service made to feel really welcome and had a working bank account and card in my hand when I left.
And to top it off they gave us $100 in the account to start it up.
Now why can british banking not be like that. It was a real eye opener to me, but apperently that is the norm here
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Cosmo
Member
Registered: 29th Mar 01
Location: Im the real one!
User status: Offline
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I heard Northern Rock used to offer this sort of service 
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Shelly
Premium Member
Registered: 15th Nov 00
Location: Lancashire Drives: Astra H VXR
User status: Offline
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our banks just like charging people big fees...
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Jodi_the_g
Member
Registered: 7th Aug 01
Location: Washington D.C
User status: Offline
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I am just really impressed after having to wait at natwest standing up for 40 mins just to cancel a cheque before i left and not once did any of them offer me a drink or anything.
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Jodi_the_g
Member
Registered: 7th Aug 01
Location: Washington D.C
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Shelly
our banks just like charging people big fees...
you could not be more wrong no such thing as a free account in the US, you do not get charged for spending over but get charged for everything else you pay a small fee to have a bank account, this one works out to about $50 a year between us both.
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Shelly
Premium Member
Registered: 15th Nov 00
Location: Lancashire Drives: Astra H VXR
User status: Offline
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thats nothing to someone who isn't particularly good at managing money and having a UK bank account.
belt off, pants down, arse over the counter here....
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Jodi_the_g
Member
Registered: 7th Aug 01
Location: Washington D.C
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Shelly
thats nothing to someone who isn't particularly good at managing money and having a UK bank account.
belt off, pants down, arse over the counter here....
Yes but the UK bar business banking is free if you manage your money though for customer service like that I am prepaired to pay it.
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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
User status: Offline
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This sounds like a First Direct advert 
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TNM
Member
Registered: 5th Apr 04
Location: Nottingham Drives: VW Tiguan
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Shelly
belt off, pants down, arse over the counter here....
shelleh that image of you will stay with me all night 
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