T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
---|
748.1 | Convenience | HDLITE::CHALTAS | Funny voice not included | Fri Feb 04 1994 17:37 | 13 |
| Convenience -- a DCU branch is just down the hall.
Contrariness -- I'm annoyed by the new fee structure and want to stay
so I can see it changed. 'Course if it doesn't, and I can get a better
deal elsewhere -- or even one just as good -- I'm outtahere.
I don't do business with folks who don't treat me as I wish to be
treated. DCU isn't treating me right just now, but since I'm not
just a customer, I hope to influence DCU's behavoir by voting rather
than just by walking. First I'll vote -- if that doesn't work, I'll
take my money and leave.
|
748.2 | I like who I do business with | CVG::THOMPSON | Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest? | Fri Feb 04 1994 17:38 | 16 |
| Number one reason is convenience. It's on my way in and out of the
building. This means a lot to me. I have more then enough errands
that I have to make a serious interruption to my day for. Plus
the easy touch system for balances and transfers. I love it.
A feeling of ownership. An intangible to be sure. And not worth much
to many but it is worth something to me.
Local branch service. Deal with a bank with poor service, as I have
with several, and you'll really appreciate the people the DCU seems
to hire to work the windows.
That's for starters. I'm getting what I need and service and
convenience that I really want.
Alfred
|
748.3 | | USCD::DOTEN | | Fri Feb 04 1994 18:03 | 12 |
| I already said in the other note: I'm too lazy to move! Not that I
disagree with everything about the DEFCU, but I really can live with a
forced-savings Christmas Club account. Although if this fees stuff
don't change after the next election it might just be the impetous I
need.
(BTW, years ago I stopped trying to get any sort of loan from the DEFCU
- they always refused me. Although I have perfect credit and have
always received the credit I have asked for from other creditors. That
almost made me leave, but, like I said above...)
-Glenn-
|
748.4 | | SPECXN::WITHERS | Bob Withers | Fri Feb 04 1994 18:06 | 19 |
| I'm keeping $5 (actually, I think, closer to $15 -- I'm a relationship
member, after all) in the dCU so I can vote.
I feel that I've invested a lot of emotional energy twice to get the CU to
do business with me the way I want to be served. I'm not going to quit
completely because I don't want to give up.
The convenience of the ATM in the lobby made me bring a lot of my business
back last spring when I moved into CXO3. The others I deal with are on my
drive home and offer drive-through services. Convenience isn't a major
factor, in other words.
The joint Garrod/Gransewicz/Fillmore-Gillette position is what I want to
see in a Credit Union and I'll work toward that. If they fail, I'm gone.
BobW
PS, I'm an RM because of my VISA balance, rather than because of my grand
8-) savings.
|
748.5 | | CSC32::S_BROOK | There and back to see how far it is | Fri Feb 04 1994 18:38 | 6 |
| Convenience mainly ...
Were it not for the possibility of cleaning the act up, I'd be gone
now ...
Stuart
|
748.6 | !@#$ it Jim, I'm an owner, not a customer | ROWLET::AINSLEY | Less than 150 kts. is TOO slow! | Fri Feb 04 1994 21:32 | 5 |
| Because I'm an owner, not just a customer (regardless of what DCU may
think). If it hadn't been for this, I would never have bothered to
join DCU when I started working at Digital.
Bob
|
748.7 | It won't take much to make me leave | SMAUG::WADDINGTON | Brother, can you paradigm? | Fri Feb 04 1994 23:52 | 24 |
| I'm a member because it **USED** to be convenient and I'm too lazy to
move. But year after year a little bit of my business seems to find
its way elsewhere. My checking account (and the bulk of my direct
deposit) has gone to WCIS (no fees, more convenient for my wife, and
they return our checks...) Credit card went away when they wouldn't
waive the fee. I have enough other free cards that it was no big deal.
My wife's savings account got closed (low balance, little activity) at
DCU's suggestion during the "big cleanup". Since then, she's started a
small business. DCU wasn't even considered. I'm down to 1 savings
account and a car loan (neither of which is adequate to make me a
relationship member). The loan will be payed off within the next year,
and given the current climate at DEC, I'm still rather debt sensitive.
I plan to put another 3 or 4 years on each of my cars (approx 90k
miles, each) before replacing one. Fortunately, they're both in good
shape.
I'll keep the savings account (and the meagre amount that goes into
each week) up until such time as they decide to charge me a fee for
that too. And then, I'm outta here. In the mean-time, I'll continue
to vote for those who I think will work to turn this mess around, and
hopefully, in a couple of years, DCU will give me a REASON to do my
business with them...
Rich (Member since '84 or so...)
|
748.8 | I'm tottering | WAYLAY::GORDON | Learning to flinch | Sun Feb 06 1994 20:17 | 15 |
| Convenience is a big reason for me as well.
No fees for normal services used to be a reason. I've left at least banks
in the past when fees were imposed. I'm a "relationship member" now, but I
don't even wish to have to worry about fees.
I don't have a car loan with DCU because both times I bought since I joined
DCU, I got manufacturers incentive (2.61%/24 months and most recently 0%/48
months) programs that far outweighed anything DCU (or any other bank or CU)
could come up with. When I bought my house, DCU was higher than many other
rates I found.
I don't have a credit card with DCU because I have two no-fee cards now. I
don't carry balances, so interest rates don't concern me. I run $6-8K a
year through the two cards.
|
748.9 | Easy foreign access to U.S. dollars | RUTILE::DAVIS | | Mon Feb 07 1994 04:49 | 10 |
| I am temporarily based in France, and I have the need to pay bills in
the U.S. dollars. In particular, I have a joint account with my son,
who pays his college bills with money I put into that account, often via
Easy-Touch transfers.
The fee structure is an abomination, and I will do what I can to have it
removed. When my circumstances no longer require the convenience of the
DCU accounts, and if the fees remain, I will leave the DCU.
- Scott
|
748.10 | | NASZKO::MACDONALD | | Mon Feb 07 1994 08:49 | 8 |
|
All the same reasons others have given, but mostly because I will
*NOT* be patronized with arrogance. As far as I am concerned the
fees crowd is going to be sorry for having underestimated the
membership.
Steve
|
748.11 | | 38346::MACNEAL | ruck `n' roll | Mon Feb 07 1994 10:11 | 15 |
| Convenience -- having a branch within short walking distance is tough
to beat in that regard.
I financed my home with DCU 3 or so years ago. Best rate around and
the people processing my loan jumped through a few hoops to meet my
closing date despite roadblocks set up by the seller.
The branch staff, local ATMs, and the EasyTouch system make the DCU
very easy to do business with.
Everytime I've looked to get a second institution (when I relocated to
Texas, when my wife had her own job, etc), I could not find anyone who
wouldn't charge fees in some manner, or who offered anything
substantially better than DCU that would make me want to change to
their institution for my primary banking.
|
748.12 | | WLDBIL::KILGORE | Beaten by the Relationship carrot | Mon Feb 07 1994 10:37 | 19 |
|
I've left banks that imposed new fees. I couldn't do anything to
voice my displeasure *except* leave. if DCU was just another bank I
would have left last month.
But DCU is different. I guess I'm still here partly for the convenience
(although an institution that provided free ATM access would easily
counter that aspect). But mostly I'm still here because I'm an OWNER,
and now I'm really P-O'd, and I'm going to *DO* something about it
besides walking away.
My first objective is to establish a BoD that is interested in running
a true credit *UNION*, and not a country club that pits Valued Members
against pond scum. I believe that this objective will be met by electing
Dave Garrod and Chris Fillmore-Gillett, and reelecting Phil Gransewicz,
who together with Paul Kinzelman will provide a simple majority that
espouses a true credit *UNION* philosophy along with good business
sense.
|
748.13 | | BROKE::STEVE5::BOURQUARD | Deb | Mon Feb 07 1994 10:52 | 23 |
| in order of priority:
1) convenience
2) ability to create lots of "escrow" accounts and telephone transfer
the funds from "escrow" into checking as needed -- great budgeting tool!
3) sentimentalality: I'm partial to credit unions. My dad started and
managed Montgomery County Employees' Federal Credit Union in Maryland.
This is an admittedly silly reason, but it plays a role.
I am leery of the new fee structure. I left Baybanks because I felt that
they changed the rules so often that I couldn't keep track of what minimum
balance I needed where. Although I'm a relationship member, I still resent
a couple of the fees which I'm not exempt from: fees to close my old
Christmas Club; fees to receive a copy of the cancelled share draft. I
remember the "good old days" when DCU didn't charge you if you needed a copy
as proof of payment. I also remember when DCU used to publish how their
interest rates compared to *other credit unions*.
I'm bemused that DCU appears to be interested in driving a segment of their
customer base away at a time when their customer population growth rate
is slowing.
|
748.14 | | AOSG::GILLETT | Candidate for 1994 DCU BoD Elections | Mon Feb 07 1994 11:10 | 29 |
|
Why I stay with DCU....
1. It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...it
feels so good when you stop.
:-) :-)
Just kidding...
1. Like most, it's a matter of convenience...ATM machine here
at ZK, one at HLO which is nearby.
2. It was a "no-brainer" to join DCU when I came to Digital.
Didn't have to sneak out of my new job to spend an hour
getting lost in New England looking for a bank :-). So, I just
signed up at the HLO branch.
3. I have automatic withdrawal from multiple sources. Unwinding
those ACH withdrawals will be a big pain.
4. It's basically a good place, with some silly ideas and policies
that need to be corrected. So I stick with it. Hopefully,
persistence and patience will give the members a REAL credit
union.
Chris
|
748.15 | why I am here | KALI::FERGUSON | | Mon Feb 07 1994 11:26 | 35 |
| Why I am a credit union member:
1. It's convenient. Even when I was in California (for 7 years,
and with no local branch), I could have accounts for my taxes,
house/car insurance, save for a new car, etc. and have it
painlessly deposited every week for me. And I could use
Easytouch to transfer the money to my checking when I needed it.
2. I like the idea of a credit union - people helping people.
3. I didn't even shop around for my mortgage, just used the credit
union, cause of #2 above. I expect DCU to have competitive rates.
I don't expect to have to check up on them (although I probably
will next time).
4. I'm really irritated about the $5 Christmas Club fee. OK, I
don't read the fine print on all the mailings, and it caught
me by surprise. I have over $800 they are holding hostage in
my "holiday club", and I refuse to pay the $5. I have stopped
deposits to this account for now and will use the amnesty if
they offer it.
I am by nature a saver. I am easily a "relationship member", and under
today's rules will probably never have to pay a fee. I am not interested
in figuring out monthly what the new rules are so that I can make sure
I don't pay fees. They caught me on the Christmas Club this time,
what will they catch me on next time?
Look, I have enough to do without worrying about this. Stop changing
the rules. I am sticking around to vote for the three no fees candidates.
If things don't change I will begrudgingly spend the time to investigate
other credit unions and banks, and most likely after going to all that
trouble take my "relationship" elsewhere.
Janice
|
748.16 | | PACKED::COLLIS::JACKSON | DCU fees? NO!!! | Mon Feb 07 1994 13:40 | 16 |
| Convenience.
There was a time when my credit card, mortgage and auto loan
were all through DCU. They lost my credit card business,
I've refinanced twice through other companies and when this
auto loan is paid, it's likely my next auto loan will be
through someone else (cheaper).
If I ever have to pay fees on my checking account, I'll
pull that to.
I expect that I'll always keep a minimum deposit so that I
can do things like vote and draw out a few dollars when I
need it.
Collis
|
748.18 | convenience | SLOAN::HOM | | Mon Feb 07 1994 14:15 | 19 |
| At one time, my car loan and certificate of deposits were the DCU.
In fact, with my car loan, the DCU even included a life
insurance policy at no charge. And the interest rates on
time deposit were the best around.
Now, I use the DCU for convenience and also for saving money
for property tax, etc.
I use the following banks for the my other needs:
1. Citibank Ford Visa - give a 5% rebate and also "pay" me
$25 a year to use the card. (They actually charge me $25 but
credit my account for a $50 rebate.)
2. BayBank - checking and ATM. They return checks and have thousands
of tellers.
Gim
|
748.19 | convenience and no fees | FLUME::bruce | discontinuous transformation to win-win | Mon Feb 07 1994 16:05 | 12 |
| Why I'm still with DCU:
Convenience - I'm fortunate to work at a site with a branch and an ATM. I'm
unfortunate to live in a town with very few alternatives - at last count,
we were down to just 3 S&L offices, no commercial bank offices, and the
one credit union office closed.
No fees for the services I use - checking, RSVP (or whatever it's called now),
VISA, DCU ATM. As long as these all stay free, I'll stay - the cost of
switching is too great.
/bruce
|
748.20 | It bothers some people! | AWECIM::MCMAHON | Living in the owe-zone | Tue Feb 08 1994 15:09 | 6 |
| re: .17 As far as bothering anyone behind the counter when you 'abuse'
the DCU to cash your check once a week - it apparently bothers the
manager of the HLO branch who made a point of describing 'those people'
as abusers which is "why we need to get rid of them with fees". I don't
know if she was just spouting management's party line or if she really
believed it, but she sure sounded like she believed it!
|
748.21 | no fees on basic account | PACKED::COLLIS::JACKSON | DCU fees? NO!!! | Tue Feb 08 1994 16:06 | 5 |
| Fees don't stop someone from using DCU as a place to cash
checks (which I would certainly still do even if I closed out
my other activities with DCU); they just irritate and
annoy (to varying degrees) people who really use the credit
union.
|
748.22 | | ASE003::GRANSEWICZ | Candidate for DCU Director | Tue Feb 08 1994 16:37 | 12 |
|
RE: .21
>Fees don't stop someone from using DCU as a place to cash
>checks (which I would certainly still do even if I closed out
>my other activities with DCU); they just irritate and
>annoy (to varying degrees) people who really use the credit
>union.
You mean the CURRENT FEES don't stop someone from using DCU as a
place to cash checks, don't you?
|
748.23 | You mean the CURRENT FEES don't stop someone from using DCU as a
place to cash checks, don't you?
| PACKED::COLLIS::JACKSON | DCU fees? NO!!! | Wed Feb 09 1994 13:08 | 9 |
| >You mean the CURRENT FEES don't stop someone from using DCU as a
>place to cash checks, don't you?
Yes, that's what I mean. I suppose if they force enough people
into being true Credit Union abusers (if there is such a thing,
certainly people who only use the services qualify), then they'll
make a fee for that, too.
Collis
|
748.25 | | ASE003::GRANSEWICZ | Candidate for DCU Director | Wed Feb 09 1994 13:56 | 3 |
|
Yup, just NOT worth pissing customers off... sigh.
|
748.26 | | MILPND::CLARK_D | | Wed Feb 09 1994 15:09 | 7 |
|
I stay due to the convenience.
This morning I was at the DCU when someone came in and asked to see the
blue book for current car values. He wanted to sit at the table right
outside the credit union to look at it. They would not let him unless
he left his badge with them. I couldn't believe they did that.
|
748.27 | In defense of the DCU | SLOAN::HOM | | Wed Feb 09 1994 22:42 | 11 |
| Our town library has had problems with popular items such as
Consumer Reports, Morningstar, etc. The solution, unfortunately, was to
keep them behind the desk and have each user sign for it.
The blue book is a similar item. The DCU can either have the borrower
sign for it or have him leave the badge. We all pay for the dishonest
few.
Gim
|
748.28 | | STAR::FERLAN | DECamds as your cluster mgmt tool | Thu Feb 10 1994 11:01 | 15 |
|
I stay mostly for convenience... It's easier to deposit and withdraw..
plus the ease to get a car loan and have it taken out weekly... I
realize a "bank" or another credit union can do it, but I'm here
so I bank here... I also like the easy touch system... being able to
check my checks and transfer money around as needed, pay the Visa bill...
So far free checking... since I have the car loan it doesn't cost
me yet... although once that goes below the magic $3500, then I can
only hope the rules would have been changed...
ANother reason... I just bought 600 checks and don't want to waste
them...;-)
John
|
748.29 | | 38346::MACNEAL | ruck `n' roll | Fri Feb 11 1994 14:17 | 3 |
| � Yup, just NOT worth pissing customers off... sigh.
Have you been able to quantify this yet?
|
748.30 | | PACKED::COLLIS::JACKSON | DCU fees? NO!!! | Fri Feb 11 1994 15:45 | 5 |
| �Yup, just NOT worth pissing customers off... sigh.
>Have you been able to quantify this yet?
Yup. It's not worth pissing any customers off.
|
748.31 | My $5 worth ... | BKEEPR::BREITNER | Field Network Mechanic | Fri Feb 11 1994 18:13 | 22 |
| Originally - I joined because DEC (not Digital) was family - and the family was
starting a credit union, which felt like a nice family thing to do; the values
espoused were right. I work at a remote sales office - nothing down the hall
from me - there's barely a hall.
Later - I used DCU for accumulating vacation funds, ran my IRA out of it, did a
few CDs, and a home equity line of credit.
Lately - I refinanced our home mortgage last summer; good experience from a
banking point of view.
Throughout - I have been increasingly aware that the promise of being an
owner/customer with a return of extra services and/or profit to the owners has
not been realized. Then massive malfeasance took place, the board woke up and
circled its wagons against the owners. We voted in a lesser set of rascals who
kept decisions secret for months (relationship banking - did they think to
emulate Chase Manhattan?) and the rest is history ...
... right down to the $5 which I will use to vote in (or back) people who see
the UNION in DCU.
Norm
|
748.32 | | STAR::BUDA | I am the NRA | Mon Feb 14 1994 13:39 | 10 |
| RE: Note 748.29 by 38346::MACNEAL
>� Yup, just NOT worth pissing customers off... sigh.
> Have you been able to quantify this yet?
Are you saying it is OK to piss off customers??? I feel a
cold breeze coming from Macneal land...
- mark
|
748.33 | | 38346::MACNEAL | ruck `n' roll | Mon Feb 14 1994 13:46 | 4 |
| �Are you saying it is OK to piss off customers???
Not at all. Just saying that you can't please everyone. Good examples
of this are the Holiday Club and Check Imaging issues.
|
748.34 | | ASE003::GRANSEWICZ | Candidate for DCU Director | Mon Feb 14 1994 13:54 | 4 |
|
This had nothing to do with pleasing everybody. It had everything to
do with good customer relations.
|
748.35 | | NASZKO::MACDONALD | | Tue Feb 15 1994 09:13 | 13 |
|
Re: .33
> Just saying that you can't please everyone.
Do you have any data to back up this assertion? The successful
companies of this decade and as far into the future as we can
currently see will all have total customer satisfaction as their
goal. Perhaps you ought to tell them they're chasing a ghost.
Steve
|
748.36 | | 38346::MACNEAL | ruck `n' roll | Tue Feb 15 1994 10:02 | 3 |
| I don't think so, Steve. The successful companies concentrate on doing
some things well and get out of the things that they can't do well (or
don't bother getting into them to begin with).
|
748.37 | | NASZKO::MACDONALD | | Tue Feb 15 1994 10:38 | 29 |
| Re: .36
> I don't think so, Steve. The successful companies concentrate on doing
> some things well and get out of the things that they can't do well (or
> don't bother getting into them to begin with).
What *IS* your point? Any successful company that concentrates on
doing some things well, but doesn't have the goal of total customer
satisfaction is not going to succeed at doing those things *well
enough* to stay in business. "Well" is and always has been defined by
customers voting with their dollars, not by companies. The ONLY way
you can do ANY things well is to get committed to the customers in
markets where you want to be successful and then do whatever it takes
to satisfy them. Any other course of action is just playing around.
Your insistence that you can't please all of the people is just a lot
of baloney. Many companies are getting wise to the fact that if you
DON'T set out to achieve total customer satisfaction that you're going
to be rolled over fast. THE only commonly recognized business strategy
for success in the current global economy is to be customer driven.
The stakes are so high because of the intense competition that if you
don't commit all to achieving total satisfaction, you simply will not
stay in business. NO ONE in the business of advising companies on
business strategy disagrees with that. The only areas of disagreement
are on what strategies are best for achieving that total satisfaction.
If you don't see that you are simply not up on what is going on in the
global business environment.
Steve
|
748.38 | | CSC32::J_OPPELT | I reached a crisis. | Wed Feb 16 1994 15:01 | 1 |
| Convenience. Period.
|
748.39 | And sometimes I can be a STUBBORN little twit :-) | TOHOPE::REESE_K | Three Fries Short of a Happy Meal | Thu Mar 24 1994 21:04 | 26 |
| I joined because my previous experience with a credit union (TELCO)
had been a pleasant one and I wanted to join my fellow employees
in their credit union.
It's semi-convenient for me, however since ALF never got an ATM
and I have a restrictive phone/work schedule, that little bank in
Buford, Ga. with Saturday banking and it's free ATM is starting to
look better all the time.
I'm a relationship member because of direct deposit (although the
DCU doesn't get to hold on to my money for too long most months).
My savings and credit cards are elsewhere because I got a better
deal.
EasyTouch is a nice touch!
I thought about closing my account and moving everything to that
little bank in Buford (LOTS of freebies for flat $9.50/mo); I've
stayed because Phil Gransewicz took the time to encourage me to
stay when I posted my intention to leave awhile back.
However, if some of the DCU board members and DCU management don't
lose that arrogant attitude (and soon); then I'll have my money
deposited directly into a bank that is *totally* convenient for
me.
|
748.40 | | EVMS::GODDARD | | Fri Mar 25 1994 09:23 | 9 |
| >> I'm a relationship member because of direct deposit (although the
>> DCU doesn't get to hold on to my money for too long most months).
Ummm, I dont think so. I wasnt a relationship member so I switched to direct
dep. to get around having to pay fines (called fees by DCU) on my checking acct.
However just because I switched to direct dep. still didnt make me a
relationship member. (Atleast thats my understanding of it...Im SURE Ill be
corrected if Im wrong though. :^)) I guess Im kind of 'above' an abuser but not
quite a relationship member.
JimG
|
748.41 | | WLDBIL::KILGORE | Time to put the SHARE back in DCU! | Fri Mar 25 1994 09:28 | 3 |
|
Re .40: you are correct.
|
748.42 | | CADSYS::RITCHIE | Gotta love log homes | Fri Mar 25 1994 09:44 | 6 |
| re: .40
>> I guess Im kind of 'above' an abuser but not quite a relationship member.
This is an interesting category. There are actually three classes of members.
DCU probably considers you a semi-abuser. :-)
|
748.43 | | NASZKO::MACDONALD | | Fri Mar 25 1994 11:03 | 9 |
|
Re: .40
If you have direct deposit to checking of $500 or more per month
then you have no fees on CHECKING. Being a "relationship member"
means you will have no fees at all.
Steve
|
748.44 | | TOHOPE::REESE_K | Three Fries Short of a Happy Meal | Fri Mar 25 1994 15:07 | 7 |
| I stand corrected.
The point I was trying to make is that I do not have to pay checking
fees now so any decision I make to stay/leave the DCU will not be
biased because I've been hit with the fee.
|
748.45 | | EVMS::GODDARD | | Fri Mar 25 1994 15:39 | 19 |
| Karen,
I wasnt trying to correct but rather inform you that
youre not a relationship member on the basis of direct
deposit. It seemed from your reply that you thought direct
dep made you a relationship member. We're in the same no
mans land somewhere between abuser and relationship member.
I suspect though, in DCUs view, we're alot closer to abuser than
relationship member. Like you, if things dont change significantly
after the election Im going to bail out.
BTW I use DCU exclusively for my 'banking' but really dont understand
why direct dep. should cause checking fines to be waived. Ive had a
long history of depositing my paper check every week (which I prefer).
So how does direct dep. (the Digital way) show anymore intent to use DCU
as ones primary (or only) financial institution? I guess I dont understand the
logic by which this decision was arrived at. The only thing I see that I'm
'guilty' of is not keeping enough money in my accts.
JimG
|
748.46 | | PATE::MACNEAL | ruck `n' roll | Fri Mar 25 1994 15:55 | 8 |
| �Ive had a
�long history of depositing my paper check every week (which I prefer).
�So how does direct dep. (the Digital way) show anymore intent to use DCU
�as ones primary (or only) financial institution?
Perhaps the view is that it takes more effort on the part of the
depositor to change the paperwork to redirect the direct deposit than
it does to go down the street to cash/deposit the check elsewhere.
|
748.47 | | EVMS::GODDARD | | Fri Mar 25 1994 16:01 | 6 |
| Re .46
Yep, thats kinda what I figured. However, whats to stop you from withdrawing
what was direct deposited (same effort as depositing a paper check) and going
down the street? It still doesnt make sense....to me anyway. :^)
JimG
|
748.48 | | PATE::MACNEAL | ruck `n' roll | Fri Mar 25 1994 16:48 | 99 |
| I thought it might be interesting to pull up info on what being a
relationship member gets you. I've posted it after a few comments of
my own.
Based on this (and I admit I might be missing something as I don't have
a copy of the original mailing on hand) it looks like the benefits that
a relationship member has over a non-relationship member is free
checking, free club accounts, and a no fee Visa card. If you have
direct deposit of more than $500/month or maintain a minimum balance of
$500, you get free checking (but you don't get a free Visa card). If
you club accounts have minimum balances of $100 each, there is no fee.
I've asked a few times what the Phil, Chris and Dave consider to be
basic services but have yet to receive an answer (maybe I missed it,
anyone have a pointer?).
If basic services = free checking, one doesn't have to have a
relationship to get that -- one only has to have direct deposit or a
minimum balance. I think there are some legitimate arguments over the
appropriateness of the amounts currently accepted by DCU to waive these
fees.
If basic services = free checking and a free Visa card, I do question
the definition of "basic" since I don't see too many other institutions
offering a free Visa (LACU might have been one that does) to every
member.
While trying to find the following posting I found it interesting that
in the early days of the relationship banking discussion that some of
today's vocal opponents actually found some merit to the idea of
relationship banking.
<<< SMAUG::USER$944:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DCU.NOTE;5 >>>
-< DCU >-
================================================================================
Note 694.61 I'm a Relationship Member! 61 of 242
WLDBIL::KILGORE "Dysfunctional DCU relationship" 59 lines 16-SEP-1993 21:33
-< New DCU fees >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[NOTE: Below is a partial listing of the "Schedule of Fees and
Service Charges. Most of the fees listed below are marked with the
footnote, "Service Fees effective January 1, 1994", with the
exception of the VISA CREDIT CARD fees, which existed before but
are now marked "(Waived for relationship member.*)"]
[1]Current Vacation and U-Name-It accounts become Member Described accounts.
[2]Current Christmas Club accounts become Holiday Club accounts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENERAL
------------------------------------------------------------
Stop Payment (ACH) $ 1.00
Duplicate/Copy
(Deposited check) $ 1.00
(Withdrawal slip) $ 1.00
Individual Retirement ACcount
(One-time administration fee) $15.00
Levy/Trustee Summons $20.00
MEMBER_DESCRIBED SAVINGS [1]
------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly fee $ 2.00
(Waived for relationship member*
or daily balance over $100.)
CHECKING ACCOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Fee $ 4.00
(Waived for relationship member*; or daily
checking account balance of $500 or more; or
Direct Deposit of $500 or more monthly; or age
18 or younger, age 62 or loder.)
Automatic Transfer from Primary Savings $ 3.00
(Limit three per month / Fee
waived for relationship member.*)
Temporary Checks (for 10 checks) $10.00
VISA CREDIT CARD
------------------------------------------------------------
VISA Classic Card Annual Fee $15.00
(Waived for relationship member.*)
VISA Gold Card Annual Fee $15.00
(Waived for relationship member.*)
EARLY CLOSING PENALTIES
------------------------------------------------------------
Holiday Club Account [2] $ 5.00
*A relationship member has $3,500 in combined
household deposit account balances or $3,500 in
combined outstanding loans or a sold DCU
mortgage.
|
748.49 | Call our Membership Classification Dept. please | ASE003::GRANSEWICZ | DCU Election: 3 G's -> NO FEES | Fri Mar 25 1994 16:56 | 24 |
|
This is good discussion because it does clearly point out the
different membership classes:
1. Relationship Member
Doesn't pay checking fees, or some other fees
2. Non-Relationship
(doesn't pay checking fees, but pays some other fees)
3. Non-Relationship
(pays checking fees, as well as other fees)
But of course people will float between the layers, based upon their
financial position on a particular day or a major financial event. A
service you don't pay for today, you could pay for tomorrow and visa versa.
I don't know about anybody else but I have a better things to worry
about than what class of member I am on a particular day. Or better
put, what class of OWNER I am. Will DCU even be able to accurately and
quickly be able to maintain this membership class structure? Are we
now going to have to explain why we should be classified a "valued
customer" instead of one of the "others".
|
748.50 | | SPECXN::WITHERS | Bob Withers | Fri Mar 25 1994 17:22 | 17 |
| I consider a no-fee credit card a basic service wherever I go and avoid fees
unless there is some other dramatic advantage. Let me summarize:
Cards I have owned over the years
AT&T Universal no fee
Bank of New York no fee
Chemical Bank 3 cards fee waived because I asked
Citicorp fee waived because I asked
Colo Nat Bank fee waived because I asked
SSFCU 2 cards no fee
Wachovia $18/yr -- prime rate interest rate
DCU "Relationship" required
I am also considering the CompuServe affinity card wich has no fee and a ~12%
rate.
BobW
|
748.51 | | PATE::MACNEAL | ruck `n' roll | Mon Mar 28 1994 10:27 | 9 |
| � I don't know about anybody else but I have a better things to worry
� about than what class of member I am on a particular day.
Is it really that difficult? $125 direct deposited each week from your
paycheck and you get free checking. The only way this will change is
if you change it. You can avoid fees in the other accounts by
maintaining $100 minimums in those accounts (other than savings -- it
has a $5 minimum). Yes, this might be a problem for those who use
these subaccounts as their own escrowing vehicles.
|
748.52 | Just get rid of the fees | USCD::DOTEN | | Mon Mar 28 1994 12:28 | 4 |
| Yes, that sounds difficult to me; a hassle I don't need. Much better if they
just get rid of the fees.
-Glenn-
|
748.53 | Just in case it gets good | WRKSYS::HAINSWORTH | Barking through my hat | Fri May 13 1994 16:54 | 9 |
| I join every credit union I can, and keep the minimum balance in it. For my
"real" financial dealings I shop both credit unions and banks for the best deal.
DCU has never yet had the best deal on anything I wanted, but they may someday.
Currently I am a member of 3 credit unions. My checking account is in another
(non-DCU) credit union and my mortgage is from a bank.
John
|
748.54 | This makes sense to you? | MIMS::WILBUR_D | | Fri May 13 1994 17:44 | 7 |
|
.51
Yes, it's a pain. I had to close accounts to avoid charges.
Accounts are just bytes in a computer... I can't understand why
if I have one account or 100 it should make a difference. The total
sum is my investment in the dcu. Not the sum of each part.
|