Pampered by the bank

[kranky]

Like most of you, I know what to expect when I call the bank. Talk to a bored CSR, be put on hold over and over, then eventually be told whatever I wanted is impossible, against policy, violates the Patriot Act or is illegal. Yeah, a little exaggeration.

A while ago I signed up for an HELOC as a way to move 0% balance transfer money around when they wouldn't put the BT money right into my checking account. Couple that with a super money market promo rate of 5.25% at the same bank, and over the last year my balance + the number of different accounts has gone up a lot at that bank.

I called the bank last week with a question about the money market account, the CSR answered it, and asked me to sign up for a pre-approved credit card (they always do) which I declined yet again. Yesterday I get a credit card in the mail. The CSR just signed me up even though I said no. I don't want any new credit on my credit report at this time, so I'm very unhappy.

So I call the bank today, explain what happened to a very friendly and perky CSR and why I'm not happy about the situation, she puts me on hold. About a minute later, a supervisor picks up the line...
-She falls all over herself apologizing
-Cancels the card
-Guarantees they did not pull my credit to issue the card, so there is no inquiry to remove
-Promises she will personally speak to the CSR from last week and straighten her out
-Promises she will make sure the new account does not get reported to the CRAs
-Asks for a number where she can call me back tomorrow to personally let me know it has been taken care of
-Apologizes profusely some more
-Asks if there is anything else she can do

The bank is actually sucking up to me because they think I'm a big-shot customer. Feels kind of nice even though as soon as I pay back the BTs my account won't indicate to send my calls to the VIP queue. But for the moment, mmmm.... good service.

 

[DBL]

Similar thing happened to me when I parked a good chunk of money shortly for a 20% down payment on a condo. A banker personally called me in for a meeting to discuss my financial goals and strategy. I told him it was just for a down payment and would be gone shortly. He was still cordial but I could tell he realized he miscalculated and realized his time was wasted.

 

[KK]

I wonder if the supervisor was blowing smoke up your ass by saying that they didn't pull your credit report nor would this not get reported. I don't see how this wouldn't in some way show up on your report, of course I'm not a banker so what do I know.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: DBL
Similar thing happened to me when I parked a good chunk of money shortly for a 20% down payment on a condo. A banker personally called me in for a meeting to discuss my financial goals and strategy. I told him it was just for a down payment and would be gone shortly. He was still cordial but I could tell he realized he miscalculated and realized his time was wasted.

I had very similar experience - we went from two (singles) houses to one (new, family) when we got married, and I had a 6-digit account from the time we sold the first until we bought the new one. It was only open for about 3 months (more than a month longer than I'd planned for) but I got top-of-the-line treatment when I'd walk in.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: KK
I wonder if the supervisor was blowing smoke up your ass by saying that they didn't pull your credit report nor would this not get reported. I don't see how this wouldn't in some way show up on your report, of course I'm not a banker so what do I know.

I believe her since she explicitly said it was a soft pull, and that won't hurt my score. The challenge is whether she can get the card not to show up on my report and she thinks it can be done since the card was only issued a couple days ago. We'll see.