Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Valentine's Day Ideas - Part 4! Plus a weekend recap!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! The Superbowl was such a great event and I couldn't be happier for The Saints. New Orleans really needed this win! I was telling the Suburban Prince this morning it really helps that their logo is a fleur de lis as the only thing that would make me root for a team more would be if their logo was a tiara!

On Friday afternoon I went to the bank to withdraw money to pay the babysitter, seamstress etc and I was denied at the ATM! I called my bank and asked them to increase my daily withdrawal limit so I could get the money I needed and they said it would not be a problem and to go ahead and make my withdrawal. After being denied a few more times I called them again and was told there was nothing they could do and I would need to go to my branch. I was using an ATM at different banking institution as my bank is actually in another city 45 minutes away. I told the CSA I was speaking so that this is ridiculous and I need to speak to a manager. Leading up to this moment I found out they had not updated my contact information even though I have lived here for almost 4 years and we have our mortgages with them! They got a manager for me and I proceeded to verbally castrate him for at least 20 minutes - in other words I tore a strip off him! Now I do realise he did not cause the problems I was having but considering it took 3 people to get to the bottom of what was really going on I felt he needed to know exactly how his company had failed over and over.

It turns out my bank card had been used somewhere that is now being investigated for fraud so they had reduced my withdrawal limit last week without telling me. I hadn't tried to make any withdrawals so I had no idea. You would think they might have told me but while questioning this I found out they had tried the phone number we had 4 years ago and called my husband's work to tell me. When they couldn't reach me they left it at that, raised my limit again and on Friday morning my account was robbed. Robbed! In another city at 8:30am! They got $445.00!

The account in question is actually a joint account I have with the Suburban Prince - but the bank did not feel the need to try to contact him to let him know about the changes to the account! Not only did they not try to contact him but they did not even think to cross reference the contact information to see if maybe there is some other way to reach me.

I bet you can picture the manager squirming and scrambling right! You know the scene in Ferris Beuller's Day Off when the principal and his secretary are running around when Sloane's father (Cameron) called? That's how it seemed when I finished letting this manager know exactly where we stood.

In the end they got it all sorted out, a police investigation, fraud report and I got a new card and pin number. The bank is replacing the stolen money this week and all's well that ends well. I am sure my file now has a flag that say 'Be very afraid!'.




Today I rewarded myself with a haircut! File this under 'It pays to be nice to people'....I called my salon this morning to ask if my stylist could take me today - they said no. Hmmm. I asked about tomorrow and they said no and as of Wednesday she is going on vacation. Anyone who knows me in real life knows I just don't accept being told no. I asked the salon receptionist if she would please ask my stylist if she would squeeze me in since I have short hair and it is just a trim I need. She sounded dubious but sure enough, two minutes later she called back and told me to come at 4pm. Always be nice to your stylist and always tip them well! You never know when you will need to be on their good side!


Here is part 4 of my Valentine's Day idea series - to see previous posts just scroll down!

I thought it would be fun to give you easy ways to make everyday treats spiffy for Valentine's Day! The following are printables you may use - just click on them and you will be taken to the full size image. Just print, cut out and put your treats together!


This is a seed packet wrapper! Such a great idea for the gardeners in your life! My pick for this is Forget-Me-Not seeds! I had other wrappers picked out for this post but unfortunately their site is down right now - if it comes back up by tomorrow I will post their cute wrappers too!


This is a chocolate bar wrapper! I love this one! To see more please visit Country Graphics!


Valentine's Day gift certificates!


Valentine's Day tea bag wrappers! This is a great idea for your co-workers who love a cup of tea in the afternoon!


How cute is this?! It's a microwave popcorn wrapper!


Have a fabulous day!

8 comments:

What Kate Wore said...

Oh Miss Princess, what a nightmare at the bank, I am sorry you had to cope with that. Be prepared to be quizzed every time you use the new card if you use it for anything other than banking (charging purchases, meals, etc.).

The Valentine's ideas are excellent, I love the seed packet! You are seriously creative, really amazing, every time I am here at your blog I learn something new. Thank you for sharing all of these treasures and ideas.

Sending you a smile for the week ahead,
tp

Tammy B said...

I work at a bank, a Canadian owned bank at that. (probably your bank) They always stress client first, but it's hard to put the client first with all the rules and regulations that are in place to protect the bank. I'm sorry that happened. I love your Valentine's Day ideas.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I am glad that you got the bank stuff sorted out...what a hassle. I do not know if my stylist could ever squeeze me in on short notice, I book my next appointment on the day that I get my cut! You must be a great client and a big tipper!
That superbowl was awesome you have a right to broadcast it all over the blogosphere.
Fun Valentine's ideas too.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Oh - I think I love you! You're just as balsie and out-spoken as I am (but only when we need to be, right?).

I too have had to have harsh words with banks - personal and work related. So many of them treat customers in that lowly serf way. I've been dealing with the TD Bank for the past 10-15 years and I love them. A couple of times my Ex's support Q bounced(he was really bad at keeping track when we first separated); they actually called me before they bounced the cheque on my end. And I was able to get him to run down to the bank immediately and replace the cheque with cash! Not many banks do that. Mind you, I live in a small town as well, so perhaps that helps.

Yep, it's a precarious balance of sweet 'n' sour when it comes to getting what you feel is right! Right?

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Sure shootin', this farm chick treats and tips anyone well who holds scissors near my head! Heeeheehe! Don't ya just hate it when the bank messes up and they DO mess up BIG-TIME!!! I'm so happy ya'll got it all sorted out.

Thanks for your little printouts they are absolutely adorable.

Ya'll have a fantastically sweet day!!!

KatiePerk said...

Are you having any problems with your blogger? They defollowed me! So that I don't follow you. I was looking for your recipes that you posted on friday to link and I couldn't find you!!! I didn't DO IT! There was another one like that too.

Travelbugmom said...

What a mess with the bank.....and all you wanted to do was pay the babysitter! Hope it stays straightened out for you.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh! I cannot believe all of that mess with the bank! At least you rewarded youself with a haircut. :)