One Year with Wells Fargo Was Long Enough
Written: Nov 01 '00 (Updated Apr 21 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Real Time On-line banking Information
Cons: Few locations, Few check styles to choose from, high overdraft fees
The Bottom Line: Below par service for the personal users financial needs. Make this a stage coach you miss!
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| foxssister's Full Review: Wells Fargo |
Roughly a 18 months ago I signed up for a Wells Fargo Free checking account. I was talking to a representative that had visited my college campus the first week of the fall quarter. I had recently had difficulties with another bank that I had been with for 4 years and was ready for a change. Wells Fargo had a branch at the Safeway (grocery store) that I was currently working in (more on that later). After talking to a Washington Mutual representative and being confused by there checking pamphlet and being dazzled by the people from Wells Fargo, I signed on the line and opened an account.
Where's the checks?
Before I signed up, I asked about checks. She replied "We could set you put with 50 starter checks, no problem at all." could is the operative word. When I went to the branch where the representative that I talk to at the school worked, she knew nothing of a starting pack of checks and was more than happy to sell me checks from there limited line of 6 styles. After settling for one with covered wagons drawn by horses that made duplicates, I waited. I received my checks about 10 days later, which is pretty standard and was charged $20.50 for them, which I feel was pretty steep being that their selection was so poor.
Other banks charge:
US Bank: $22.50, duplicate checks, many stiles to choose from.
Washington Mutual: $15.50, duplicate checks, For standard blue checks. The price is higher if I want one of the many fancy style checks they offer.
Overdrafting my Account
This was my first time ever doing that. (I'm not lying; it's the truth) I was shocked to find this bank charges $28 per overdraft item. Three $28 charges were a wake-up call, and I was very careful about my balance after that.
Other banks charge:
US Bank: $26
Washington Mutual: $22
ATM Aggravation
My ATM service was fine until the last two months. After that any time I wanted money or the balance on my account I had to endure an advertisement, having to click through one or two screens of advertising about home mortgages and shopping on-line using my ATM card (Like I've never done THAT before!). I found it truly annoying and never had to deal with that with any other ATM I've used.
On-Line Banking
Wells Fargo excels in this one department. I never had a problem accessing my account on-line to look if checks had cleared and such. All my information seemed accurate and up to date.
Other banks:
Washington Mutual: One-day delay on information
US Bank: Real time information, Easy Log-in
Are These Bankers?
I vary rarely did consult a teller, but since I worked in a store that had a branch I got to watch these tellers at work. They often accepted deposits but I don't think I ever saw them actually dispense money. One time I wanted to get help transferring funds form my savings account into my checking account and I was told to do it at the ATM and general directions how. My second time I was searching for the new Georgia quarter and the new golden dollar, the teller had never seen either and said she's "keep an eye out for them." (I eventually found these coins with no problem at US Bank) The last time I saw a teller was today as I closed my account. She was knowledgeable and didn't seem to be upset as I closed my account. She quietly handed me my $8.46 and bid me a friendly good-bye.
Location, Location, Location
I got a notice half way through September saying my Wells Fargo branch was closing October 4th. I hunted around for another one and found the 3 locations, all more hassle than I wished to deal with getting to my bank. Location is why it took me a month to get over there and close the account. Nevertheless, it's done with now, no more location hunting.
Junk Mail
During my stay with this bank, I got about 2-3 pieces of junk mail a month do to their sharing of my address with affiliated companies of Wells Fargo. I always just would recycle them after I was sure no real personal information was included with them. My account with them has been closed for over 6 months and I'm still getting "special offers for Wells Fargo Account holders." I tried to do something about it, but couldn't now that the account is closed. The representative (more on that later) said I could have been removed if I had asked while the account was open.
Other Banks:
Washington Mutual: Will turn off all mailings from affiliates or second parties of the bank on request, whether the account is open or not.
US. Bank: Will turn off all mailings from second parties of the bank on request
Three Calls For No Help?
I admit that I didn't use their 24 hour banking my phone until after the account was closed, but on every statement it said I was allowed 3 calls a statement. After calling them again, I found that the price tag changes for service provided. An instance is that if you call to see if a check cleared, it will cost you $2 if it's not done over the automated service.
Now I had called about the aforementioned junk mail. I was pleased it told me how long I was going to wait for an "express agent", although the estimation was about off by 2 minutes. Since the account was closed the agent said I never did have an account so he couldn't stop them from mailing me and gave me another number to call that was less helpful than the number I originally called. Fifteen minutes of my life gone, and I'm still receiving junk mail.
Other Banks:
Washington Mutual & US Bank: Unlimited calls to speak with a rep, whether you can do them over the automated service or not.
Conclusion
It was nice while they were convenient, but once they lost that angle, they really were no better than any other bank. Their check design selection was poor, overdraft fees the high, ATM banking more like watching TV, so-so tellers, their phone banking expensive and unhelpful, junk mail each month for even being associated with them, and few locations for me to choose from after my favorite one was gone. Their only saving grace is their On-line banking, and even that lead won't last long. I suggest you make this a bank you skip.
Please note all information based on Washington State prices and may vary from state to state.
Recommended:
No
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foxssister
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Location: Washington State
Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 10 members
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