I went by the bank today to throw some MS checks into the ATM deposit and lo and behold, the ATM machine has changed. I now have the option of scanning up to 30 checks at a time, in one batch, with my deposit slip. Ok, thats fine. But the beauty is that it prints pictures of the checks on my deposit receipt and, if I understand the machine correctly, I could actually receive back the actual checks after they are scanned.

One of my nightmares with accounting in mystery shopping is determining whether I actually got paid for a particular job or not. Those companies that pay by PayPal I can go through the PayPal record on line and see if I got paid. Those companies that pay by Direct Deposit, I can go through the DDs to make sure I got paid. But then there are the checks . . .

Some of the checks come with a reasonable stub that has enough identifying information to figure out what they are paying for, but some checks have no stub at all. I can try to reconstruct from deposits whether I got paid before I start complaining, but I see the prospect of getting back the physical checks as just fabulous. I can literally keep them alphabetized in a box and if/when a question comes up, I can just quickly check the box.

It would appear that there is no cost to me associated with this new service and that it is just one of the new ways to speed up (screw up?) banking.

Neat. I've heard that some banks accept deposit of a check via a scan emailed from home. The original check remains in the payee's possession.

I, too, have trouble on occasion matching check with shop. Wouldn't think it difficult for the MSP to print shop ID on the stub or memo line.

Recently I was doing information gathering on the scanned checks. The banks checked want between about $500-$700 for the equipment plus generally around $25 months for you to scan from home. So I was delighted to find free scanning for a wad of checks just at the bank's ATM.

No doubt. One guy I know whose bank offers scan from home is military, and he uses USAA, no charge. Mainstream civilian banks will catch up sooner or later. I surely wouldn't pay for it, especially as I regularly drive right by my bank.

I certainly will be rethinking my bank shops. Most of the time I deposit an MS check that is small and not readily identifiable since I was relying on the postings on my shop sheet and my computer prepared deposit slips. Since my main bank offers free checks, I guess my bank shops will be cash or small deposits from my main bank. But indeed more than half of my routes take me by the branch where I saw the scanning ATM and I suspect the other branches I pass have or will have them soon as well. I would not want a scanner at home because it would be just one more single use appliance electrical cord to find a place for on the power strip.

Here's the scoop on paperless banking for individuals. According to federal regulations put in place a few years back, all banking institutions will have to move to offering scanned deposits over some period of time. Sorry, I don't remember the deadlines, but they were give a ton of time to make the changes. Eventually, all banks over a certain size will have to offer the "scan-from-any location" option for deposits. Many banks already offer scan-from-any location for business customers, for a fee. But, see below for news about developments for individuals.

What's behind all this is that checks actually clear electronically and can be tracked, so there should be no need for the bank to have the physical check in order to credit your account. The computer reads the check's unique ID and it can not be redeposited in future. Large banking institutions have moved funds in this manner for an eon (in cyber-time) and soon all of us peons will be able to do the same. I have had the multiple check-reader at my BoA ATMs for about 2-3 years now and have never had a problem of any kind. The ATM tells me what amount it read for each check and I can correct that if it is wrong, or add an amount it the ATM failed to read my housemate's scrawl. Because several banks are now doing fax or scan deposits for free, it will be necessary for others to follow suit when they get the technology up and running. Look for the cyber banks to lead the way on this, but I suspect that BoA is not far behind, as they were first off the block with the ATM scanners, as far as I know.

My nephew, who graduated from OSU's school of business about 4 years ago says that all of this stuff was being taught in their banking and finance courses back then, so the regs have been around for a while.

I knew it was coming, but somehow did not register that the ATM would be doing it for us peons So you have been 'living with it' for 2-3 years. Do you get your checks back and would you say it has helped in verifying that you really have NOT had payment before you start making phone calls to companies for payment?

Since I KNOW that I can make mistakes in entering or not entering payments on my logs despite my systematic method to do it, I really hate to call a company about a payment only for them to tell me they paid on check 12345 that I cashed on xx/yy/2010. That is why I keep a copy of my deposit slips on the computer, but it seems to me an envelope of deposited checks, alphabetical by company and date order within company, could make the search faster than by deposit slips.

Flash,
I record every payment I get, with details on how much was fee and how much expense or reimbursement, in my account log, and do not care to have the paper checks on hand. Even if the check was offered, I would not take it. I have only had to chase 3 payments in 5 years, and I knew just from looking at my log what was owed and who was delinquent. I have made one mistake and the MSC was quickly able to point to the on line payment date for me to identify the deposit.

My bank gives me the option of getting an ATM receipt with a photo copy of the check, which is smaller and easier to store for a short time than returned checks. Anything more seems like overkill to me.

Ok. I work with enough companies who pay by a variety of methods that it does, from time to time, become an issue. And the issues always revolve around checks and the missing checks about half the time "are in the mail" and arrive a week to ten days later. I have had one company tell me on one occasion that I had cashed the check already and a few days later the check arrived at my home. . . Luckily most of my payments come by Paypal and direct deposit these days and verifying my account log against this information is a snap.

This next story is not cool ! One company I work for has starting paying by debit card.I don't like having to pay the ATM machine three dollars to get my pay out.How does one get around this chink ? Why it may be good for the company,I feel like I've been getting screwed. Banks are not customer friendly any longer.Last week I happened to have a job check written on a Wichovia account. I was driving by a Wichovia and decided to pop in and cash it.The teller assuming I was a customer of the bank asked me to scan my bank card so that my information could be read and the check cashing experience would be smoother.I thought to myself "What is the tellers function if the machine does all the work?" When I told her i was not a customer, she explained," We will have to charge you five dollars to cash it." I said, "But it's written on one of your checks!" She said "It doesn't matter. That's the new policy." I said, "I'm not given you five bucks." Then turned around and left.

I have had a household account with Wachovia for many years. Now, Wells Fargo owned. Between Wells Fargo integrating their changes and recent changes in federal law, I've had to spend time on the phone with Wachovia or Wells Fargo or an outsource from who knows where getting a thing or two straightened out. While it would certainly be a hassle to change banks for the household billpays, etc., I'm dealing with ongoing hassles now.

Hellbent,
My advice is to ditch that company that is paying by debt card.

Helbent, swipe the debit card at the grocery store to pay for groceries next time you are shopping. It will have no fee attached.

as far as scanning checks goes; you can go one step further into the paperless world with BofA. It will scan the checks in bulk at the ATM and you don't need to print a receipt. Just log in to your account online and you can 'tear off' JPEGs of any checks/deposits you have made.

Perhaps, but I will rather be insisting on some proof of deposit at point of deposit. I personally had nothing but issues with BOA and the issues had nothing to do with my banking practices but rather errors of others that evidently BOA couldn't be bothered to fix. Eventually I had to get bank regulators involved to get BOA to clean up the mess they had made of my account. Simple phone calls and visits to the bank were not enough to get it done after months. Luckily the errors were all in my favor. I shudder to think of the results had they not been!

Understood, Flash.

Customer service of BofA sucks. The new automated system is their only saving grace. So far it's been flawless for me (knock on wood).

BofA is the closest bank to the hotel I work for. The desk clerk needed some change, for the hotel, so she picked up the large bills and went to get the change before her shift. She went inside, in her uniform, and asked for change for the hotel. She was told that she had to have an account before she could get any change. According to her they have no customer service.

Way back in the olden days, when I was a kid, banks used to give you things like a toaster to open an account. Now, they charge you for the privilege.

The changes in the banking world are, in my lowly and humble opinion, some of the very most dramatic indicators of the sad state of customer service in todays world.

Yes, I would have to agree. With all the adherence to the requirements to greet me with "Welcome to [name of bank]" and offers of assistance and "Thank you [my first name]. Have a great afternoon and come back to see us.", these guys ring as phoney as a $3 bill. You can't make a "personal experience" out of a one time, 60 second encounter. This month I have had one bank shop that felt real and genuine. The rest are cardboard cut outs mouthing the words. And somehow I have an issue with a young man 40 years my junior thanking me by my first name. My last name is easy enough to pronounce, so I have no problem with "Thank you, Ms. Flash."

I truly hate banks and credit/debit cards that pay me points that are worth roughly 1/2 cent towards purchasing items at 'manufacturer suggested retail price'. Would I buy a toaster for $60? So why would I 'pay' 12000 points for one?

Flash wrote:

"And somehow I have an issue with a young man 40 years my junior thanking me by my first name. My last name is easy enough to pronounce, so I have no problem with "Thank you, Ms. Flash."

I have an issue with that too. And it doesn't matter if they are yournger tan me or older than me. The fact that I am the client/customer means I should be entitled to the dignity of at least a pretense of respect.

What is even wose is when they see my name and decide they should use a nickname..

If I tell you my name is Robert Smith, and you are too hip and cool to call me Mr. Smith, then at least use Robert, not Rob, Robby, Bob, Bobby or any other nickname inserted to mlke me feel like we are best buds.

On one such occasion, I happened to notice that the person in question had his first and last name on a plaque by his desk, so since his last name was Hickman, the next time he "Bob'd" me I "Hick'd" him right back.

Seemed to do the trick, but then I felt like as big a loser as he was, so I haven't done that one since.

I prefer people to use my first name, and feel old if they call me Mrs. or Ms.

I'm with Dee on this one. Worse yet are the young military folks who insist on addressing me as "ma'am." That really make me feel old, especially at post gates, where the (apparently teenaged) guards are holding semiautomatic weapons. hehe (No, I am not mocking our military members. It does just feel very, very odd.)

Some really high-end hotels use the first name system for guests. I think it creates a sense of camaraderie and belonging.

My 2 fav hotels in NYC do this and I love it. It's not disrespectful to me because they do it well. I mean, the busser at breakfast addresses you by first name as he clears your coffee cup.

I certainly understand it can work in a chummy or clubby setting, but general etiquette indicates that an older woman is addressed by last name with an honorific of Miss, Mrs. or Ms. I have no interest in being chummy or clubby with the kid at the bank who handled my deposit. And I find it fascinating that older tellers, with whom I would be much more comfortable with the informality--both because of their small talk and their age/gender--invariably thank me as Ms. Flash.

Etiquette evolves over time.

dee shops Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Etiquette evolves over time.


i no U R rite!

So does language.

But if my report says:

"OMG, B4 i even 8, the w8r was clearing my pl8, I was ROFL @ my BFF Bcuz she was trying to grab food as he took her pl8"

I will come across as unprofessional.

So does the banker, clerk, salesman or cop, who chooses to refer to me by my first name without an invitation to do so.

The fact that some people prefer to be treated with less repect than the situation warrants certainly does not mean that everyone should be so treated.

IMHO...

JayTee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So does the banker, clerk, salesman or cop, who
> chooses to refer to me by my first name without an
> invitation to do so.

And they can invite that invitation by offering a handshake and saying, "I'm Carol Green, and you are?" If I introduce myself as Becca Flash, they are then entitled to use the 'Becca' in conversation. If I tell them I am Rebecca Flash, then they need to abide by the Ms. Flash or 'Rebecca' if the conversational chemistry is right. But if they just read 'Rebecca Flash' off my account, they had best stick with Ms. Flash.

JayTee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dee shops Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Etiquette evolves over time.
>
>
> i no U R rite!
>
> So does language.
>
> But if my report says:
>
> "OMG, B4 i even 8, the w8r was clearing my pl8, I
> was ROFL @ my BFF Bcuz she was trying to grab food
> as he took her pl8"
>
> I will come across as unprofessional.
>
> So does the banker, clerk, salesman or cop, who
> chooses to refer to me by my first name without an
> invitation to do so.
>
> The fact that some people prefer to be treated
> with less repect than the situation warrants
> certainly does not mean that everyone should be so
> treated.
>
> IMHO...


Correct, I do not write in texting lingo. By the same token, I would not write a report in Shakespearean-era English, either.

Again, etiquette changes with the times. I'm a grown up. This is not HS. I haven't called anyone "Mr." or "Mrs." since I graduated HS, and I don't
plan to start now. And this goes in my college classroom, as well-I have my students call me by my first name, as did every college professor I had as I went through school.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/2010 03:55PM by dee shops.

But doesn't that difference of opinion, in and of itself, require that businesses respond at the highest level of respect rather than the vernacular? Would you be offended if someone referred to you as 'Ms.' or 'Miss' or 'Mrs.'? Certainly if we went to the Shakespearean we would be using a different vocabulary of thees and thous. That is not the issue. We are talking about generational differences and what may appear appropriate to a 20 something or 40 something is not what 60 somethings perceive as appropriate. And while in some cultures it is considered appropriate to pick up your soup bowl and swizzle or eat your peas & carrots with your fingers, that would not be considered appropriate in American culture for anyone over the age of 5.

I would say we are going to have to disagree on what constitutes the "highest" level of respect.

Again, etiquette changes over time. Yes, it is generational. I do NOT like to be called Ms. or Mrs. I have a name, and I want it to be used. If you can be offended by the person "40 years your junior", as you called it, using your first name, due to your generational expectations, then the same is true for my own expectations of what I would consider the "highest" respect should be paid to me.

dee shops Wrote:

> -I have my students call me by
> my first name, as did every college professor I
> had as I went through school.


The key is in your own wording: You HAVE the students call you by your first name. This implies that you have given consent, that they have your approval to do so.

To do so without that consent, either given, or implied, is, in my opinion, not something that has evolved yet, and not something that I am willing to allow to evolve.

When someone addresses me by my first name in a business setting, they have implied that they feel they have a right to do so. In so doing, they have either consciously or subconsciopusly made an attempt to remove the level of respect I am due as a client or customer, and are trying to level the playing field.

Putting us in the same level means they don't have to feel responsible for catering to my needs, or meeting my expectations.

They aren't my friends, they aren't my family, they aren't my social circle, they are someone performing a service that I am buying.

Iam not their friend, the brother or their buddy, I am their customer, and as such, their paycheck.

The lack of resepct for that, in my opinion coincided with a lack of regard for their paycheck.

"Easy come, easy go."
"I was looking for a job when I found this one."
"That job sucked, I had to call everyone Mister, I was so out of there!"

My oldest son, (bless his heart, may he grow up some day) in his infinite laziness who changes jobs about as often as he changes underwear, wasexplaining to me why he quit a recent job. He said "You don't expect me to stand there all day in an animal costume and wave to cars do you?"

I told him that when he has a job I expect him to do anything that is safe and legal that his employer asks him to do. I didn't say fun or cool, I said safe and legal.

But etiquite, like everything else in our society is indeed evolving.

If I am JT this week instead of Mr.T, how much longer will it be before I am "hey dude"?

Language and etiquite evolve, but only to the point and at the rate that society is willing to accept.

I guess this is where we have our differences.

While some are willing to accept this, I am not yet ready to do so.