Spent an hour at my bank early this morning. Seems if I agree to make at least three online bill payments the Spanish owned holder of my funds will graciously forgive service charges on my business account.
The young banking nerd spent a few minutes with me and when I walked from the building I was an official computer qualified geek. His parting words were, "It's easy."
With a smile on my face I drive to the shop and spend the next two hours on my computer. Didn't work. I climbed on the phone and spent another half hour, or so, talking to a sweet young thing and she again walks me thru the process of logging into my business account. I disconnect from the phone and correctly caress the keys and am granted access to my account. Tried the bill pay feature.
Fail.
Screw it. I like paper checks. Slap a bit of ink on 'em and they're ready to ride.
I've been told computers make our life easier. I'm waiting...
Stephen
The only account I have on line is a small credit union checking account. I have direct deposit set up for payments I receive. That is all. I pay by check and use a debit card in stores. Being an old paranoid fart, that is the way I roll.
ReplyDeleteSadly the banks have their collective hands in the middle of our banks and are firmly pushing us towards online activity. Thinking I'd save money I tried...no more. I'll just use ink. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteI had billpay set up a few years back and it worked great....until it didn't... and after that nothing would make it work again. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteNow I have one bank account I can access online to see my balance and transfer funds and just use my debit card. Less is better in the end.
That, until it didn't is what worries me. I do have a monthly retirement check on direct deposit but otherwise I'm fine with paper and ink checks. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteI pay by phone unless there is a charge, then I just mail it :)
ReplyDeleteNever tried the phone...thanks, my friend.
DeleteI do nothing online except harass you. I once tried online banking, then my blog got hacked, my email taken over, my passwords changed, and I ran to the bank and asked "What's my balance?" When I found out it hadn't been touched (yet) I went back to pen and paper trails.
ReplyDeleteYou may harass me all you like....as have you it's pen and paper for me too.
DeleteI would prefer paper checks, but my wife likes to set up online payments. So she takes care of it. If anything messes up it's then her fault & I can get an apple or cherry pie for an apology. Works for me! Never let a payee take auto payments from your bank account.
ReplyDeleteI'd never allow automatic payments, period. Thanks, Muddy.
DeleteI've been in a long on-going struggle with the new owners of my credit union. I feel your pain. Days have been lost dealing with this crap -days that could have been better spent doing just about anything else.
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish purchased my shop's banks....same hassle. Makes me want to drive down and close the account...but, recently purchased a couple hundred dollars in business checks.
DeleteI prefer to write checks - they are free at my bank.
ReplyDeleteI like free.
Nothing about a business is free. Even the cost of a phone line is more expensive than your typical private line.
DeleteI hate banks, I try to use credit unions as much as possible, a lot less problems it seems.
ReplyDeleteMe, leaning that way....
DeleteI think we could write volumes about dealing with banks. Ours is still in Florida, us in MN. No local office for our bank. Not sure what we are going to do.
ReplyDeleteI don't envy you what's ahead.
DeleteOne of the greatest lies of the late 20th century was that the computer would issue in the "paperless office".
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Isn't that a fact...
DeleteI'm no fan of the banksters, but I do pay most of my bills on line and haven't had any problems to speak of. Saves me a little money and a little time. But as you say, it works until it doesn't so my reckoning may be in the offing.
ReplyDeleteI shall try, but for now it remains good ole paper and ink.
DeleteSeems to me that nothing related to finance is easy anymore! I personally prefer Credit Unions, but don't mind too much the online stuff at some banks.
ReplyDeleteStill, I'd do mostly pen and paper if I trusted the postal folks more!
I too would switch to a credit union but my wife works in the bond department of one of the world's largest banks and our personal account with them is free. My business on the other hand requires a different institution.
Delete"Seems if I agree to make at least three online bill payments..."
ReplyDeleteThey figure that once you do at least three, then you will be used to the process and "how easy it is". The more that do this then the more employees they can lay off. Also, the more you do online then the easier you can be tracked. That being said, we pay most of our bills online also.
If it wasn't for the hassle of standing in line with people all up in your space, and also the increase in crazy folks out there you'd be running into, we'd all be better off paying our bills in person... in cash.
Sneaky bastards, aren't they...
DeleteI use the bank the Spanish bought. Why don't you just have two personal accounts and call the business one by some name, like "grandpa"? That way you get free checks and no fees unless you have an overdraft.
ReplyDeleteOnline is very easy...if they set it up right. They did not set mine up right, so I had to go back and get it fixed. They admitted the fault was with them. Of course, I had to assure them I knew what I was doing when they started talking down to "the old lady who probably did not know how to use a computer." I hate that!
Thinking....thinking...hey, not a bad idea...thanks, Linda.
Delete