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Bank of the West

Michael of Bullhead City, AZ April 3, 2009

Michael of Bullhead City AZ (04/03/09)
In March of 2005 I purchased a new 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500 series Z71 crew cab model truck, from a local dealership. Note: This was my third purchase of a GM product in about 6 years. because I liked GM products. In Jan of 2007 I fell on hard times personally and financially. I informed the lenders represenative from Bank of the West that I was facing some difficult times, and I could use some help with my truck payment. This was my only vehicle at the time. I was informed that I could make partial payments and keep my Vehicle. This went on for a couple of months. I then sent in a payment of 400.00 28 days later they sent A reposession team to my home to reposes my vehicle. The vehicle was surrendered but with doubt about the validity of the lenders actions.

Because I could not get the lenders Rep. to talk to me at this time. I then petitioned the lender in writting regarding this issue and expressed my concern for their actions, and my concern for consumer rights. I don't deny I was delinquint on some monies owed, but I was confused as to my rights as a consumer and equity if any. I was informed by the lender that my vehicle was impounded and that I had to come up with the entire payoff amount approx: 28,500.00 to have the truck returned.

I argued the point and questioned them about just paying the past amount due. Approx 800-900.00. They denied my request and auctioned off my vehicle. Then they tried to collect approx 5500.00 from me. I then questioned them about The extended warrenty from GM, G.A.P. insurance and the Road hazard warrenty that were all financed into the terms of the loan over the period financed. To this day GMC continues to try and contact me about my extended warrenty.

I was basically a single father without transportation. This caused more economic hardship and stress. The way I was treated as a repeat consumer has really soured my taste for GM and Bank of the West. This was several years ago and the scars left by this entire expierience and the people envolved are deep. I feel cheated and robbed I was always a good customer had good revolving credit and paid my debts. I fell on hard times and was misled. I don't deny my own faults, but felt positive about my recovery. Why am I questioning this now? Now the taxpayer is being called to bail out GMC and MULTIPLE Banks. Now GMC is offering all kinds of acts of forgiveness and kindness to anyone who purchases a new vehicle and looses their job. This is hypocrocy and not right. I can honestly say that I will never purchase a new GM product or do business with bank of the West AGAIN.

I was treated unfair by all the people envolved and will be very carefull about any Bank or Auto Manf. I do business with in the future. BUYER beware Word Of Mouth Advertising it is valuable information. In closing: I feel that I have been able to vent my expierience, the bailout of GMC has re-kindled my emotions and I don't feel this is appropiate. I was honest about my situation and just wanted the opportunity to make it right. I to had Money invested in my transportation and needed this vehicle for my own livley hood. Not only did they hurt me and my family financially, but they hurt the future of America.

Helyn of Hayward, CA March 23, 2009

Helyn of Hayward CA (03/23/09)
I just read all the negative input about Bank of the west & I just don't get it. I have always had very good experiences with this bank. All the tellers have been very nice. I have been with them for many many years. The customer service has been outstanding. It is always a pleawsure to go in Bank of the West

Herlinda of Albuquerque, NM February 27, 2009

Herlinda of Albuquerque NM (02/27/09)
I open a small business account Premium Workout. I overdraft my account. They charge me 39.00 for each overdraft and 3.00 dlls every working day. I went and talk about giving me a break on charges She was rude and told me it was my responsibility even when I mention I didn't know about the 3.00 daily fee and mention I wasn't handed or address that info when I had open my account. Needles to say she was not understanding at all. Two days later I received a mailing notice on how much I was charge for having to pay a check for 5,000.00 dlls. They describe the check number, the amount, the date and how they have paid this check. My account was overdraft 446.00 dlls.

I panic call the 1800 no. and they couldn't give any info regarding the charges and check. I didn't wrote the check and I was hurting on trying to pay the 446.00 dlls overdraft. They didn't and couldn't gave any info saying I need it to contact the branch I open my account. You can imagine in how deep stress I found myself I got bad headache. I couldn't sleep that night. All night I was wondering who in the world wrote a check for 5,000.00 on my account.?

Next morning I call a couple times without response. I stop by as soon as knew the bank was ready to be open. I approached Sandy and ask what is the problem. She said what problem. She check the account and said well it seems there is a mistake You bet there is I replay I didn't wrote a check for that amount I can even paid my overdraft how in the world is this error posted in my account. She said well I do not know but I will corrected and I am sorry.

I said I am sorry last time I was here you were less than sympathetic when I express my concern for all the charges on my account. Now it is OK for you Bank to made the mistake without consequences but it is not OK for me. I couldn't talk and started crying I felt so taken advantage of and no care at all. I am here starting my business strangle to meet needs and the ones on top without mercy put more garbage on you and with a sorry it was and error stay clean. I have not being able to come up with the 494.00 overdraft going up every day. How can they get away and how can this be fear. HELP ME make sense. Thank

Stress, stress bad headaches and depression. Got sick.

Peter of Cedar Rapids, IA February 22, 2009

Peter of Cedar Rapids IA (02/22/09)
Ugly , rude customer experience. I have never experienced this kind of thing in my life. We simply do not act this way to others, much less customers here in the midwest. Great California Bank.

Cristian of Los Angeles, CA February 20, 2009

Cristian of Los Angeles CA (02/20/09)
I have not been paid for almost 7 months. My employer continue to issue checks without having sufficient funds in the account. However, my employer reported to the IRS that I cashed these checks. I went to the Bank of the West, the brunch mentioned above, to cash one of my older checks. The teller told me the account is unavailable because of lack of funds. I asked her to give me a note to proof that I tried to cash my check. The teller and her supervisor (this was happening on February 20, 2009, at 12:15pm Pacific Time) told me that is the company policy to not give me the note I requested. They should be able to issue a note to specify the lack of funds in the account and help me proof to the Labor Department and the IRS that I tried to cash the check.

However, the teller was very rude and laughing all the time about a situation which is not hilarious at all. Who could laugh about someone who did not get paid for almost 7 months? It looked like she knows very well my employer (she wanted to call my employer, which was fine by me although I didn't see the reason for that, maybe they are friends?), and she was basically supporting my employer instead of helping me. Is your company policy to support people like my employer who do not conform to our laws?

At this same branch I had a problem before when I cashed an older check (because I couldn't cash it on time for insufficient funds). They called my employer to double check. To double check what? I have a perfect valid check, driver's license (ID). Why do I have to wait for 1 hour to get my money? Is my employer the owner of your bank? Why should they call my employer every time I go there? There is a trend to help this employer who does not pay the employees?

Because of your employees I was not able to get in a timely manner a proof that I tried to cash my check(s). Your employees, on top of being rude, delayed the process of collecting my rightful money from my employer. Now I will have to deposit one check in my account, wait until that check will bounce, pay out of my pocket the penalty for the bounced check, and maybe loosing almost 45,000 in wages if the company I work for file for bankruptcy before I report them to the Labor Department and IRS.

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