I Got It, But I Ain’t Got It…

How’s that for great grammar? Oh, alright, “I have it but I do not have it.” How’s that?

Not meaning to be snarky, but I’m just kind of annoyed. I have a question today about BANKS, and my mine, in particular (Bank of America):

Why does it take so long for a bank to “clear” an “out of state check” that you have deposited into your account??

I understand that a bank needs to verify that the person or company who wrote you a check actually has the funds in their bank account to cover it. I’m cool with that. No problem there.

I just don’t understand why – in the 21st century, in the age of the “internets,” and when the banks know immediately if I withdraw something – why- I say, why does it take so stinkin’ long to verify a deposit?? (Foghorn Leghorn inflection, here)

I deposited a check into my checking account that has now been on hold for almost a week. A week. And I know that the check is good. The bank can’t seem to figure it out, however.  They’re telling us that the money from the check won’t be available until next Tuesday!!!

If I write a check or use my debit card in Target, they know immediately if I have enough in my account to cover it or not. But c’mon, it takes a week or more for the bank to figure out if someone who writes me a check has money in their account or not??

Is it that the banks just can’t figure out the technology? Um…I don’t think so. So what’s the deal? It feels like they’re just looking for an opportunity to rip me off….

I honestly don’t know.

But when you need it, you’ve deposited it, and you can’t spend it, it’s more than a little frustrating.

Like I said, “I got it, but I ain’t got it.” Er, “have, but don’t have.” Whatever. It just drives me crazy.

And yes. We’ve asked them. And the person from the bank that we talked to was very clueless.  They said that it was for our protection.  I’m thinking, “You’re incompetent and have lame technology and weak systems for our protection?”

Does this bug anyone besides me? Maybe I’m missing something?!?

(Try reading this post with a “grumpy old man” voice. It’s a lot more fun… )

[End of blog rant. Real life rant now continues.]