Imagine if a bank modeled itself after a retail establishment. What would that look like? I wonder....
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What would inspire me to take a five-hour round-trip journey one recent Saturday, the girls in tow, to open a bank account? My readers, that's what. Anything for you.
For a few years now, TD Bank (formerly Commerce Bank) has been on my radar as a five-star customer service icon. I first read about it in Mavericks at Work; the soon-to-be released I Love You More Than My Dog reminded me that I was missing something industry-altering.
The problem was, their nearest branch is across Alligator Alley from Naples, about 90 minutes each way. So I stalled and delayed and put the trip off. ...Until betrayal by my own bank, Wachovia, convinced me it was time to make the trip.**
So finally, Maryn (4), Ayla (6) and I hopped in the car and took a road trip. We each opened an account. And voila, I have a new favorite bank!
Here are just some of the reasons TD is truly America's Most Convenient Bank...
* "Bankers' hours" indeed! TD is open 78 hours a week, including:
* Drive-through open till 8:00 Mon-Fri, till 6:00 Saturday.
* Lobby open till 8:00 Thursday & Friday, 8:30-3:00 Saturday, and 11-4:00 Sunday.
* Visa debit card created in the lobby while you wait. Wow!
* 888 number marked "Real People" right on said card. 24/7, a real person answers promptly.
* "Penny arcade" in the lobby - bring your change, the arcade will count it for you and print out a receipt which the teller then cashes, no account required.
* Line? what line?
* Free crayons, coloring book, and Etch-A-Sketch-like thing for the girls.
*Oh, and they each got a TD piggy bank.
* Treats for pets, too. (Next time we'll bring Wheezie).
* Warm smiles. Helpful, informative service.
* Fast, too - seriously, it's as if they had actually opened an account for a customer before! Can you believe it?
* My favorite? No stealth overdraft "protection" (and corresponding fee) on your debit card.
This is just the start - what can you tell about a bank from one visit? Turns out an awful lot. I'm dying for TD to open a branch on the left coast of Florida! Meantime, thank God for direct deposit and online banking.
TD Bank is based in Cherry Hill, NJ. The bulk of their branches are in the Northeast/Mid Atlantic down to DC, but they do have a few in South Florida.
About TD Bank - http://www.tdbank.com/about_tdbank/index.cfm
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Two must-read books:
Mavericks at Work - http://www.mavericksatwork.com/
I Love You More Than My Dog - http://www.customerbliss.com/
**For more on how Wachovia (legally) stole $110 and my innocence from me, look no farther than the post preceding this one.
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I love TD Bank. I'm sorry that I ever switched from them to Wachovia. Time to make the switch back. I'm surrounded by them here in Bucks/Montgomery County PA.
ReplyDeleteDo it soon, and tell all your friends! Wachovia doesn't deserve you.
ReplyDeleteYeah, TD bank is my bank, was with Commerce for 4.5 years previous to that. I was b*tching on twitter about Wamu becoming Chase... and trying to retrieve my "unclaimed funds" over the phone- which they said I could do in the letter they sent me, and the first 2 customer service reps said they could do for me... but the 3rd rep said NOW I need to go all the way over to a Chase bank to claim MY money... thanks for wasting valuable time, Chase... you just "Chased" me away, big time...
ReplyDeleteTed - thanks a lot for showing this to me. The good news is they have branches all around here, so I will be opening an account with them this week!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you bringing this to my attention.