Like I said at the end of last week, TD Bank has ruined everything that Commerce Bank built its great reputation on. From Commerce Bank’s legendary customer service to its “hassle-free” banking, TD Bank managed to destroy all of that in a matter of few days last week by bungling up what could have been a less onerous project.
If you don’t know already, TD Bank merged the TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank databases last week and it stunted the bank’s ability to post transactions to customers’ online accounts or for those transactions to be viewed at ATMs. Factor in that the folks at TD Bank decided to do this during a time of the month when almost every once of their customers gets paid or receives their government subsidy and, well, you can understand the uproar.
Some TD Bank supporters out there might suggest that technical glitches happen every once in a while and I can appreciate that statement. However, when a bank decides to make such a major switch during a time of the month when people are receiving paychecks and governments subsidies (plus when rent or the mortgage payment is due), that tells me that the bank doesn’t care enough to know about their customers’ daily lives. Something tells me that the move from Cherry Hill to Toronto really destroyed the true relationship that TD Bank had with its customers.
Anyway, I went over to Central Jersey Bank on Friday and opened up a totally free checking account. Central Jersey Bank (although it was just purchased by OceanFirst Bank) is based out of the Monmouth/Ocean county area. Because this bank is based out of the same area where I live, there is a greater likelihood that I’ll be more than just an account number and a deposit at Central Jersey Bank. In fact, after reviewing the offers from Central Jersey Bank, I’ve decided to explore other accounts that I can close at TD Bank (including those related to my fraternity and its alumni association) and move over to Central Jersey Bank.
I’m a big believer that when you go to a restaurant and you receive stellar service, that you leave a stellar tip. On the other hand, I also believe that when you are the customer and you receive horrendous service you vote with your dollars by pulling them from the company giving you the terrible service. TD Bank really screwed up. Between the bungled online transactions, their recent message to all business account owners that they were raising fees, and the continuing fee that I have to pay if my account ever dips below a certain amount (this is for a supposedly “free” checking account, by the way) – I’ve decided to vote with my dollars and leave TD Bank.
I suggest that any former Commerce Bank customers who are disgusted at the level of service offered by TD Bank do the same.
Actually the minimum balance has decreased for business accounts. Under Commerce it was $1,000 after the first year, now it will be $500. To may knowledge fees HAVE not increased for business accounts and I work at TD Bank and was hired there 3 years ago when it was Commerce.
Right – and as anyone who works with a small business or a small community based group can tell you, if you EVER have a balance that is sustainable above $500, then you’re out of the ordinary. Commerce Bank understood that fact and they waived the monthly fees for the various student and university-related groups in the West Long Branch area. We all received notice about a month ago that we are now going to be charged the fees. As a result, we’re closing our accounts – the first of which we closed a few days ago.
It’s a shame – I used to be a big TD Bank fan, but between raising the fees and the gigantic debacle that they had (and continue to feel the effects from) with the late September technical crossover, there’s no reason to stay with this customer-unfriendly bank.
I feel like ya’ll did this one just for me. I’ll have to try it when I’ve got more time. I’m taking my oldest to art class this morning. I’ll check back later for a longer look.