So if you’re a bank, how do you reward someone who has had a bank account with you for the past 30 years or so? How about by sticking them with $11 per month account fees! Sounds like a solid business plan, right? Well, that’s exactly what my bank did!
How to Lose a Life Long Customer:
You read it right. The bank that I’ve used since I was a little boy called me up this week to tell me that they were involuntary switching over all their accounts in the new year, and that my new checking account would have a $11 a month fee unless I met certain minimums. Forget that!
I flat out told them that this was disappointing and that I’d definitely be switching checking accounts (giving them the opportunity to concede on the whole fee thing). Unfortunately, the person on the phone was powerless to make a difference. Being shown no love, I knew it was time to find a new banking suitor.
I’ve Got a Chase Bonus Coupon … Or So I Think?
As I’ve done 100 times before, I knew the first place to look! I typed the words chase checking bonus into Google hoping to make another quick $100 or $150 off my upcoming money relocation. From there, I got the following results:
Score! Looks like at least two semi-legitimate looking sites with free coupon codes. I clicked on both of them and then quickly received two separate coupon codes.
The last time I did the old Chase bonus coupon account sign-up, it gave me the option to sign-up online – which I did with no problem (rather than actually go in a physical branch). So again, I went to Chase’s website and started to fill out the application. But this time … I was denied! What gives?
Customer Service Knows All:
Maybe this was just a temporary problem with Chase’s website? I decided to call customer service and see if they could help me.
Much to my surprise they told me that nether of my coupon codes were valid!! When I told the agent where I had got them from, she told me that you can’t find an authentic Chase bonus coupon online because they only mail out physical ones. She concluded that I must have been the victim of some kind of scrupulous website scam! Oh, no!
The Real Deal:
The it comes to a free $150, I am a blood-hound! And I was not about to give up.
I decided to go to the local branch and see if I’d get a different story. Turns out it was a smart move. I got one.
The friendly agent typed my first bonus coupon code into the system and found that it was perfectly fine. She also diagnosed the real issue.
Because I had recently closed a prior account with Chase, their system was not allowing me to move ahead with the coupon. BUT if my wife were to sign-up as the primary instead of me, then there would be no issue.
Success!! Now that I know I have the green light, I will be trying this out today, saying goodbye to fees, and awaiting a sweet $150!
Bloggers Who Also Love Free Money!
In case you missed them, here are a few great stories you should check out this weekend:
- Frugal Rules – 4 Helpful Free Investment Tools
- Club Thrifty – Credit Card Churning: A Year in Review
- Eyes on the Dollar – Options for Diversifying Your Investments
- Femme Frugality – 6 Things That Will Be Cheaper in 2013
- Budget Blonde – The Most Expensive Day I’ve Ever Had
- Monster Piggy Bank – Sell Structured Settlement Payments – Lump Sum vs Annuity
- Debt Roundup – No Matter What, We Are Still Responsible For Our Financial Future
- The Outlier Model – Financial Goals 2013
Carnivals & Mentions:
My Money Design was featured on the following sites this week:
- Canadian Budget Binder – The Saturday Weekend Review #1 January 2013
- Eyes on the Dollar – Can’t Take My Eyes Off These Blogs # 20-I’d Rather Drive Edition
- Freedom Thirty Five Blog – Weekend Business and Blog Roundup – Jan 5th
- Money Wise Pastor – Best Personal Finance Blog Posts: Yakezie Carnival for January 6
- 20’s Finances – Financial Carnival for Young Adults – New Years Edition
- The Family Finances – Friends of the Family: Wildcard Weekend Edition
- Money Soldiers – Saving Money and Sanity through Budget and Stock – Editor’s Pick!
- Fugal Habits – Great Reads of the Month – 3rd Edition + a Video to make you Smile
- Family Money Values – Carnival of Financial Planning
- Debt Round Up – Weekly Personal Finance Blog RoundUp – No Sleep Edition
Thanks to everyone for linking to my site and enjoying my posts. I really appreciate your support and hope you continue to visit!
Now It’s Your Turn – Win Some Free Money!
Maybe you’re not in the market for a Chase bonus coupon? No problem! Together with StructuredSettlement-Quotes.com and a ton of other personal finance bloggers, I’m co-hosting entries for a contest where the prize is $1000 cash! It’s extremely easy to enter. Just click on a few of the links, share some social media, enter your email, etc. Best of luck!
Posts This Week:
1) When It Might Be Time for a Debt Management Plan
2) The Management Skills List – Do You Have What It Takes to Earn More This Year?
3) Using the Power of Mathematics to Avoid a Bad Interest Rate Swap Agreement
4) The 403b vs 401k – How Are They the Same? How Are They Different?
$11 a month seems a bit rich. I think I would move too.
Thanks for including my link 🙂
You’re very welcome Glen!
Wow, $11 per month?? That’s nuts! We’ve been with US Bank for years and they recently instituted a $5 if you don’t keep your daily balance at a certain level. They have some ridiculously long formula to figure it out which you need a code to crack. Thankfully, we’ve not run into it but it does make me nervous. Truth be told if we did not need to withdraw cash, we’d move everything to our USAA accounts and just do everything online.
Glad you were able to get the bonus straightened out & thanks for the mention MMD!
Unfortunately I think most banks are going to this type of formula. Chase was on my radar not just for the bonus but also because the fee is waived if you have direct deposit. You’re welcome for the link John.
I just closed a checking account because I was paying to many fees. Time to consolidate! I should go from paying $20 a month down to zero as long as I keep a minimum balance.
I hear you Brian! $20 is too much. I should also be at $0 as long as I have direct deposit. There’s just no reason to have to pay fees.
I love free money. I might have to try that account. Banks are really stupid. I had a Bank of America checking account and credit card that I used for my business. We put $5K-$10K on that card a month for a long time. One time I was cashing in my rewards points for SeaWorld tickets and I accidently hit the wrong offer and signed up for tickets plus a bus transport, which I didn’t need. It was something like and extra 500 points, nothing huge. I called immediately to see if I could change it and they said no, nothing they could do. Even if they couldn’t change it, they could have comped me the points. It was my fault, but you take care of your good customers. I don’t use that card at all now and switched my account. There are too many options not to change if you don’t have good service. Thanks for the mention and enjoy your free cash.
They really won’t compensate you or do anything about it? That’s pretty bad customer service. They are just points – its not like they are even real! They should have just given them to you rather than upset a good customer. These guys never learn …
Thanks for the mentions. I know what you mean in regards to bank fees. I dropped my bank like a bad habit when they started to charge me. I think it is unacceptable. Good job sticking it to them.
You’re welcome Grayson. Yeah, its not like there aren’t a thousand other banks out there they won’t charge me fees! Good business model guys …
Just curious – why did you limit your search only to Chase bank? Is it only because of your previous relationship with them?
1) High signup bonus
2) Local branches in my area and near my work – so I can hit the ATM as needed
3) Fees were waived if I have direct deposit
4) Previous relationship – They’re alright
ALWAYS call a second time! Or if the first person doesn’t give you the answer you want, ask for their manager! Nice job! I’d definitely quit the first bank, too. The second you start charging me to hold my money with you so you can lend it out to other people….I’m out.
Thanks for the mention!!!
You’re welcome! Yes, I guess I could have called and talked to someone else. Sometimes that does work. Regardless, my new account is open, so I guess they lose!
Thanks so much for mentioning me! I DO love free money. It’s my favorite kind!
You’re welcome!
i was able to avoid fees when they tried to get me for that, but I still think i would like to try chase out. I have heard good things about them for a while now.
If you do, Google that coupon! Nothing rocks like getting a free $150 for simply signing up for a new account.
Bank representatives should be trained very well to have more loyal customers. I can relate to your story but I was happy when it happened because I didn’t know that there are banks that can offer more what my previous bank can give.
The funny thing is that a month later when I finally drained my account and went in to close it, only then did they offer to take away the fees. Too little too late!