AIBU to think a high street bank should be open on a Saturday?

[HelplessProcrastinator]

So usual excuse bank only open Monday to Friday 10.00 to 2.00 due to ‘global pandemic’. This is main HSBC in a city centre. Apparently this is a local branch decision despite having amongst the lowest COVID rates in the country through the whole pandemic. I have $ cheques to pay in. My only options are to wait until annual leave or post them which I don’t feel comfortable doing.

AIBU to be fed up with this situation and shoddy customer service hiding behind ‘global pandemic’ generally?

Who are the cheques from? Could you ask them if they can do a bank transfer instead. Either online or if they can access an open branch do it in branch.
I agree it's annoying. Even before covid banks would often only be open Saturday mornings on the weekends. It's one of those weird things I don't understand about modern life. Supermarkets can be open 24/7 (well except Sunday...) but banks and GP surgeries are closed on weekends.
Alternatively could you take half an hour off work to go there in the week - if you have a decent boss they might be ok with it. (Obviously depending on your job)

I'm with hsbc and log all my cheques via the online banking app. You just take a picture of the cheque - takes seconds.

You can pay in cheques via a banking app on your phone (you scan in the cheque). I did this recently and it was fine.

YANBU

I had a similar issue when I needed to change the address on my Halifax credit card. They refused to change it unless I went into branch M-F 10-2 with ID. If I wanted to stop statements going to my old address, they'd block the card altogether.

Wankers.

Ironically banks wanted to phase out cheques a few years back but to many people wanted to keep them so they backed down.

You can’t do it via the app with $ cheques. Post office’s won’t process them either. I have tried repeatedly to get the company to do a bank transfer but they won’t. I’m mixed wfh and office but will try getting an extended lunch break ok one of my wfh days. Just frustrated with the banks when everywhere else is opening up.

@Oliack1417

I'm with hsbc and log all my cheques via the online banking app. You just take a picture of the cheque - takes seconds.

Don't think you'll be able to do that with $ cheques though

Don't you get a lunch break?

I get 30 minutes lunch break but like the majority of people I don’t work anywhere near a branch of my bank.

No I've had this - cheques that were over the app limit or wouldn't scan and had to go in. I've managed to scan other cheques in though I also found first time I used app it switched to on-line bank statement which I then had to change back.

At one point I had to go to next town over as only branch here was closed and cheque was over limit.

That and fact I had letter saying as I hadn't touched a saving account for 6 months they were freezing it - which I did sort out - it is all making me think maybe I should change banks.

Im the same. To the poster who asked about lunch breaks. Mine is 20 minutes so not quite sure what I could manage in that

Oh I missed the bit about it being $s. Do you mean US dollars? Having watched many episodes of Judge Judy they seem about 30 years behind with banks in America. So many people with ordinary normal jobs don't seem to have bank accounts - they get their 'pay check' go cash it in and pay all their bills in cash !!
The concept of regular direct debits for bills or bank transfers seems alien.

Yes US $. Large US based financial institution can’t cope with bank transfer 🤣. They are very old fashioned.

@HelplessProcrastinator

I get 30 minutes lunch break but like the majority of people I don’t work anywhere near a branch of my bank.

Oh that's crap

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll sort something out. Just so frustrated by the poor service from the bank. Why can’t they open Tuesday to Saturday instead? Makes no sense to me.

I've only needed the automatic cheque machines in branch - no limits and can seem to read cheque the app couldn't- not even counter service - so I'm toatlly with you why not open a few hours at weekend.

Could you post it recorded delivery?

(Also agree about the old fashioned-ness of US banking based on watching judge Judy )

Change banks op. Our tiny local santander still opens sat

Could you post it through their letterbox - complete with your bank details, etc and then its harder to get 'lost in the post'

@Oliack1417

I'm with hsbc and log all my cheques via the online banking app. You just take a picture of the cheque - takes seconds.

Does this work for $?

Put them through the letter box. That's what I do. Payment slip, cheques and a "please pay these into my account, thank you" note in an envelope and pop them through the letterbox in the evening when I'm passing. They always get credited within a couple of days.

I had this recently- tried to open an account for my 15yo, told to bring her ID in. Get to the branch, "oh she has to be present"... but she's in school during your opening hours! They close at 3:30.

I'd agree with using the bank's letterbox - just write the sort code and account number on the back of the cheque. I've done this before many times. I'd enclose a note with my mobile number in case they have any queries and want to contact you.

I hadn’t even thought of posting it through the letter box. Great suggestion! I always worry about filling it out wrong because you have to cross out the £ and write in $ and the payee details need to be handwritten on the cheque. I need a grown up to check I’ve done it properly 😁. I’ll definitely give that a go if I can dig up an old cheque book for the paying in slip.

And this is why I love monzo. I can pay $ cheques in in the post.

My fil insists on cheques. Completely pointless things.