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4/11/02 - I Thought Bank Robbery
Was Illegal
It was a warm, sunny day. I prepared myself before entering the bank, dressed
in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt, knowing it was all wrong for the day.
Anticipation and anxiety are all I can describe. I thought of the possibilities
and could only continue knowing there was no turning back.
I entered those wide doors trying to get a glimpse around to feel the
environment. Tellers numbered three, maybe four with one customer. It was
quiet. The mood was warm and serene, with dimmed lighting, meant to lull
anyone who enters its domain into a false sense of security. Oh how true
that was on this day.
I walked through the maze of roped off area and stopped briefly at the sign
that advised me to do so. My heart pumped more fiercely, as my anticipation
continued to grow. I looked down at the paper I was to hand the teller, trying
to eavesdrop on the phone conversation of the one who was to become my "counter"
foe. Then it happened.
"Can I help you?" she asked. Though I heard her, I slowly raised my head
and looked in her direction, which was to my immediate right and back a little.
She was to repeat herself and in a temper shortened voice, she more accurately
this time proclaimed, "Can I help you?"
I could have stopped right there, but I did not. I could have answered with
the tone and defiance for which I am more commonly known, but I did not.
I could have avoided the trouble, the anxiety, the stress and all it brings,
but I did not. I could have walked away.
Instead, I approached her and with a smile, some frantic scribbling and back
and forth banter, I finally heard it, "There is a $3 fee to cash this check!"
ROBBERY! Where is the silent buzzer for me? Where is the security guard,
police officer, SBI, FBI and news media for me? I accepted the check from
a local merchant who told me they all knew him. It was only $110 and that
$3 fee ate into my profits. Where is the justice? The merchant probably already
pays many fees to that bank. Now, he needs to worry about giving me a check
instead of cash because his bank wants to charge me 2.73% to cash it. It
was not busy; in fact, customers were nonexistent. Where was the added cost
for the bank from me walking in there? Those three or four TELLERS were being
paid whether I walked in or not.
I guess the bank prefers they stand around and do nothing as opposed to helping
consumers. Yes, cost is associated with the use of that teller's time, but
the bank already covers that with salary paid from all the other fees and
income it receives. I am still trying to figure out where the bank's cost
of doing business is. Its ultimate goal is obviously to become 100% profitable.
Expenses? Forget about it. Just make the consumers pay them all.
I did walk out without getting the check cashed - a signature, two
identifications and a thumb print later. Nevertheless, be careful out there.
I do not recommend fighting this type of robber on your own. Giving him what
he wants is best and then report the robbery to the proper authorities. Of
course, finding a sympathetic ear will be difficult, since I am sure many
authorities have been robbed as well.
-----------------------------------------------------
Matthew Wiedbrauk is a freelance writer,
focused on the financial markets and
related topics. MWiedbrauk@ccspubs.com.
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