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I have seen many posts with the general theme of an SC not wanting to show an ID for a purchase, to get in a bar, or, in the banking world, to access their account.
Today was, for me, an extreme twist.
Had a "gentleman" hence known as SC who wanted to open a new account. Completely new. He is not a current customer nor has he ever been with us. So, when he answers the request for a photo ID with "I don't have one" it pretty much stops the process. I cannot continue. No new account, at least not right now.
But of course, I can still go over the details. Let him know what we offer. Make certain he knows about any other criteria for opening an account (valid government issued photo id, proof of address if not on the id or various alternatives we will accept in place of proof of address, $5 minimum opening balance).
But the SC is hung up on point number one. The photo ID. Apparently his ID got "taken" and from other things mentioned I gather that he had his driver's license revoked. I go over alternative ID options that we can accept: passport, military ID, or the easiest: State ID.
He asks if we can take a social security card.
No. It needs to be a government issued photo ID.
And this is where it starts to turn bad...
SC tells me (not asks about possible exceptions or alternative, but TELLS ME) that I don't need a photo ID to open an account.
I inform him that I am sorry, but I do. This is not something I have any ability whatsoever to make an exception about.
SC tells me that I will make an exception. He can verify who he is by other means.
No. We do not accept any other means. He can take that verification to the department of motor vehicles or some other place that issues government photo id's and then we will accept the photo ID that they provide for him.
SC insists that he is GOING to open an account without a photo ID, cash his check (he has a fast-food restaurant payroll check in hand this whole time), and that we WILL make an exception.
He's not yelling. He never raises his voice. But I tell you, his attitude started to piss me off, and I don't ever let customers piss me off. So, more due to my own emotions than any need of such, I let him know I will get a manager for him.
I go to my manager, and she can tell that I'm upset. Really don't know why I let him rile me so. But I ask her to "Please come to my office and tell this customer that I will not open an account for him without a photo ID".
So, manager comes to my office. Nice and smooth, she verifies what the customer wants and tells him the exact same thing I told him.
And he argues with her about it too.
Says he can get on a plane without a photo id and if they can make an exception, so can we. Manager tells him that she has no control over the airlines, but at this bank, we cannot and will not open a new account without a valid government issued photo id. No exceptions.
SC starts to try to "threaten" us. He'll go open an account with [big bank offering $100 to open a new checking with debit card use]. And he gets this sort of smug look on his face like this is going to matter to us what-so-ever.
Managers says that is fine. Would he like us to locate the nearest location of said bank?
SC stares a moment, then starts arguing about it again. We don't need a photo ID, he insists, and I wish I could somehow portray his infuriating way of insisting. He's not frustrated or upset; it's more like he's being condescending and explaining what any two-year-old should know.
Yes, we do. Manager tells him there is simply nothing we can do for him.
It still takes her another few minutes to get him to leave, which frankly is all we want to do by this point. She does let him know that we will be happy to open the account for him should he return with the minimum criteria, starting with the valid photo ID. He tells us he won't be returning because he is not happy with our treatment of him... then he waits again, as though we're going to suddenly change our mind.
At last, SC leaves. His parting shot? He's going to go to [big bank offering $100 deal] and without a photo ID because they'll open the account, and be nicer about it too.
Manager tells him "Good luck with that." and lets me know afterwards that it was the politest thing that she could manage.
Today was, for me, an extreme twist.
Had a "gentleman" hence known as SC who wanted to open a new account. Completely new. He is not a current customer nor has he ever been with us. So, when he answers the request for a photo ID with "I don't have one" it pretty much stops the process. I cannot continue. No new account, at least not right now.
But of course, I can still go over the details. Let him know what we offer. Make certain he knows about any other criteria for opening an account (valid government issued photo id, proof of address if not on the id or various alternatives we will accept in place of proof of address, $5 minimum opening balance).
But the SC is hung up on point number one. The photo ID. Apparently his ID got "taken" and from other things mentioned I gather that he had his driver's license revoked. I go over alternative ID options that we can accept: passport, military ID, or the easiest: State ID.
He asks if we can take a social security card.
No. It needs to be a government issued photo ID.
And this is where it starts to turn bad...
SC tells me (not asks about possible exceptions or alternative, but TELLS ME) that I don't need a photo ID to open an account.
I inform him that I am sorry, but I do. This is not something I have any ability whatsoever to make an exception about.SC tells me that I will make an exception. He can verify who he is by other means.
No. We do not accept any other means. He can take that verification to the department of motor vehicles or some other place that issues government photo id's and then we will accept the photo ID that they provide for him. SC insists that he is GOING to open an account without a photo ID, cash his check (he has a fast-food restaurant payroll check in hand this whole time), and that we WILL make an exception.
He's not yelling. He never raises his voice. But I tell you, his attitude started to piss me off, and I don't ever let customers piss me off. So, more due to my own emotions than any need of such, I let him know I will get a manager for him.
I go to my manager, and she can tell that I'm upset. Really don't know why I let him rile me so. But I ask her to "Please come to my office and tell this customer that I will not open an account for him without a photo ID".
So, manager comes to my office. Nice and smooth, she verifies what the customer wants and tells him the exact same thing I told him.
And he argues with her about it too.
Says he can get on a plane without a photo id and if they can make an exception, so can we. Manager tells him that she has no control over the airlines, but at this bank, we cannot and will not open a new account without a valid government issued photo id. No exceptions.
SC starts to try to "threaten" us. He'll go open an account with [big bank offering $100 to open a new checking with debit card use]. And he gets this sort of smug look on his face like this is going to matter to us what-so-ever.
Managers says that is fine. Would he like us to locate the nearest location of said bank?
SC stares a moment, then starts arguing about it again. We don't need a photo ID, he insists, and I wish I could somehow portray his infuriating way of insisting. He's not frustrated or upset; it's more like he's being condescending and explaining what any two-year-old should know.
Yes, we do. Manager tells him there is simply nothing we can do for him.
It still takes her another few minutes to get him to leave, which frankly is all we want to do by this point. She does let him know that we will be happy to open the account for him should he return with the minimum criteria, starting with the valid photo ID. He tells us he won't be returning because he is not happy with our treatment of him... then he waits again, as though we're going to suddenly change our mind.
At last, SC leaves. His parting shot? He's going to go to [big bank offering $100 deal] and without a photo ID because they'll open the account, and be nicer about it too.
Manager tells him "Good luck with that." and lets me know afterwards that it was the politest thing that she could manage.
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