Weird situation opening a safety deposit box

So I go into my local bank and try to open a safety deposit box. 45 minutes, 3 phone calls and a battery of weird questions I finally got the keys. The conversation started off with the banker talking about what a pain it is. He went on talking about audits and security procedures and how he hates setting up deposit boxes. He then asked what I would be keeping in his vault, how long I planned to keep it open and if I was planning of taking things in and out on numerous occasions. Is this typical? I was expecting more privacy. He didn't even leave the cage as I dumped my manilla envelope of PMs into the box...I felt uneasy leaving the bank. I hope I'm just being paranoid. Any thoughts?

 

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Go to a different bank or credit union.

 

Sounds like another deranged banker, on a power trip. Go to another bank. You should know your banker and if you do not a simple ID and a signature should be all you need. (I hate what this country has become)

 

I tried another branch and they didn't have any available...

 

Certainly there has to be a bank with safe deposit boxes within driving distance of your house.
No doubt you should not use the one in your original post.

 

Yeah,

I'd be taking my business elsewhere.

 

What you experienced might explain why they had boxes available. Just a thought.

 

I use Wells Fargo For all my banking. We have several accounts with them. I Got the deposit box in the bank I was talking about. The first branch did not have any available.

 

Switch banks. Be sure to let them know why you are doing so. Find a place you are comfortable with and that is more professional. TC

 

Before you go to another bank, get aquainted with them first. If they don't feel that they know you, some of them get weird.

I have similar experience over opening a regular account. Turned out the woman I dealt with had a reputation for being a pain. She suffered from self importance - IMO.

Give it some time. When your fee is due again, be ready to pull out. I am with three small banks. One of them I need to close. The new owners of the banks are not friendly enough and obviously don't want my business.

 

Who were the phone calls made to?

 

I suggest you find a different bank/CU. As a banker myself, I can tell you that his questioning was, in fact, illegal. Banks are not allowed to ask what you will be storing, only to tell you that it is illegal to store drugs, weaponry, or live animals in the boxes. They may also request that you do not store cash. They are also required to allow you to add or remove from you box during normal banking hours as many times as desired, and to do so in privacy. Video recording is also disallowed.

 

I would show up once a week with a single Beanie Baby in my hand and specifically request the guy who opened your box to assist you in accessing your box. You will drive the guy bat spit crazy. While he is standing behing you, tell him how valuable the Beanie Baby is and ask him if he wants to kiss it. If he says yes, tell him there is a fee for that!

 

He was on the phone with someone at corporate. He mentioned about a pretty authorization. I guess once they figures I've had the same account for 15 years they finally gave me one.

 

The above posters are correct about the privacy and legal storage items. Most have a private area where you can take your box to act on the contents. Don't mess with the local people, call customer service direct and say you have a possible legal complaint about a local manager.

• 1-800-289-8004
• Monday - Friday
• 5:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  Pacific Time

I have complained a few times about account managements and archived forms, and they went out of their way to make it right. Your time zone may vary. Wells Fargo is not my favorite bank, that is Rabobank NA.
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Sheer and utter nonsense. Don't put up with that sort of tosh. Fold your tent and take your business elsewhere.

 

I am a banker at a Credit Union, and I have to say that those questions are a violation of the Privacy Act. Even if someone wants to tell me what is inside the box, I will let them know that I can't have any knowledge of that for security reasons. What this banker did is unconscionable. I suggest you find a Credit Union, we actually enjoy helping our members

 

In Las Vegas there is a company that rents private vaults. They are accessible 24/7 and your box is opened with a retina scan. I do not know where you live, but I find this option works really well. Perhaps there are similiar companies near you ?

 

I would not have opened the SDB with the banker giving me an attitude and asking me strange questions. SDBs are supposed to be private and you have every right to store whatever you want unless its something illegal.

 

Bad Q: "Grumble grumble, so what are you going to store in it?"
Correct A: "Hard drugs, blackmail, and embezzlement earnings." Pause to see if they're actually paying attention and notice the sarcasm in your voice, then proceed with: "Just kidding. None of your g** d*** business." Smile.

Bad Q: "How long are you going to store it there?"
Correct A: "As long as people stop asking me shady an suspicious questions about my private belongings."

But more seriously: That they're asking such questions would make me worried enough that they're crooked to collect my things, get the employee's name, and leave. Once in the car, I'd call in corporate and complain.

IMHO, get yer stuff out of there!