Have you seen these new Bank of America commercials? The “this is America, where you can do whatever you want and don’t let anybody tell you different” commercials? (Voiced, unless I’m very much mistaken, by Kiefer Sutherland.) They try for playfulness, but they also play into a very American sense of entitlement that’s just a little distasteful. I don’t want to read too much into the commercials, but there’s one I saw last night that struck me in particular.
It was a commercial for their “Keep the Change” program. If you use your debit card, they’ll round up the cost of the purchase to the nearest dollar and throw the extra change into a savings account for you. Leave aside the fact that the change would still be in your checking account if they didn’t do this, that you’re not gaining any money you would have otherwise lost. What struck me were the references to (and camera shots of) loose change lying around, most notably in tip jars or those “take a penny” trays you see on store counters. Don’t waste your hard-earned money on those things, the advert seemed to be saying. You deserve those extra twelve cents more than any local coffee shop clerk! This is America, and nobody tells Americans when or if they have to tip!
Again, I don’t want to read too much into the commercials. They just sort of rubbed me the wrong way, I guess.
I recently had several problems with Bank of America. Our family canceled all accounts and cards with them after several secret fees were discovered. We later discovered they didn’t actually cancel the credit cards, but charged us additional fees for cancellation anyway.
It’s been years since I’ve raised my voice at anyone. Yet, it took a few weeks of screaming at several outsourced reps to get everything sorted out. I’m getting edgy just typing this!!!!$#%!@!
Bank of America can “keep the change”