Friday, June 3, 2011

A learning experience.....

for me. I know you all have been waiting with bated breath to hear the ending in reference to poor Mr. M and his SS number plastered on the $20 bill.

I finally found the time to stop at my own bank (credit union) tonight after work. I walked in and asked for the manager and got the runaround so I figured he/she had left for the day. The teller who helped me asked if she could be of assistance rather than the manager. So I explained to her that I had received the 20 from their ATM machine in the lobby and what was written on it as I handed it over to her.

The nosy teller in the next window piped up and said that it was probably counterfeit as that's how they (the banks) mark counterfeit bills. My teller retorted "then how did it get back in circulation if it was turned in as counterfeit" as she tested it with her counterfeit detector pen. She then announced to the other teller that it was a good bill. The other teller then said a bunch of stuff to her, most of it I couldn't hear....but I did hear "because of that new ruling, we can't do anything about it; she'll have to send it in to the government herself and wait for them to make a decision on giving her another bill".

Thank goodness......some people still have compassion. My teller took another 20 out of her drawer and handed it to me. She said....."You shouldn't have to be out the money....after all, you got it from our machine. I'll figure out a way to take care of this, don't worry". And I'm not worrying about it because I know that she doesn't want Mr. M's info to get out there either. I thanked her sincerely.....for caring, as I gave the other teller the evil eye. (as only a post-menopausal mother can successfully accomplish)

This tells me.....and now I'm telling you......be careful about the bills you accept. Looks like if you get stuck with a bad bill.....you're exactly that....STUCK. ATM's are another story; I guess you're taking a chance every time you use one. The banks don't seem to care anymore unless you find that rare gem of a credit union employee, like I did. I hope she doesn't get in trouble with her boss for what she did. She did do the right thing.....you know it and I know it. Rest easy, Mr. M.

11 comments:

Cathy said...

What a saga. What silly rule did they make that won't let the bank take money? Bizarre. Glad it all worked out okay. I hope that teller doesn't get in trouble.

Coffeypot said...

I figured it was a spot decision made at the discretion of the teller. You happen to get a good one this time.

Leann said...

It's nice to see that true customer service still exists. I'm glad you were able to finally be out from under the dilemma. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks much for the advice on bridges :=-)

Mary said...

I still don't get why the bank shouldn't have taken it back, whether or not it from their ATM or not, it was determined that it wasn't counerfeit. I thought that's what banks were supposed to do. When did they change the rules? Why wasn't I notified of this? Oh well, I've got a million of em, anyway, you and the "nice" bank teller did the right thing.

Gypsy Dancer said...

G'day Val. Just thought I would stop by and let you know I'm back and blogging. I love the new look blog although I guess it's probably been like this for a while.

You haven't changed a bit I'm happy to say. You are still going out of your way for people where others wouldn't bother because life is just "too busy". Bouquets to the teller who in turn helped you. If only there was more good customer service like that.

Forsythia said...

Sounds like you ended up with the right teller. Glad this worked out.

ain't for city gals said...

If I am at a store and they try to give me a torn or a bill in really bad shape I ask for another one now. Seems like it is good enough for them to give me but when I try to spend it people don't wanat it...frustrating.

Jenny said...

Oh my gosh. I never thought about this before. I am going to be much more careful. Thanks for the heads up!

Joy Des Jardins said...

Lesson learned. It's nice to know there are still compassionate, caring people out there. I too hope that teller doesn't get in any kind of trouble for being considerate and helpful.

ethelmaepotter! said...

Well, thank goodness there are people in this world such as you and "the good teller."

Wonder how many of our tax dollars went to write that new law?

gayle said...

The teller did do the right thing! I can't imagine that it would go any other way!