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(47 posts)

BIG RANT TO BECU

Started 2 years ago by RAE
Latest reply from RAE

RAE
Member Profile

I've been a member of BECU for almost 30years. I'm dismayed at their decision to pull out of Alki. Soon, the ATM at Admiral Wy. Safeway will be gone.Then, the only BECU ATM will be way down at Morgan Junction. I've heard all the excuses for pulling out the Alki ATM and it just doesn't add up to the BECU I've known all these years. With the pending closure of Safeway, the timing just really STINKS! Who's making these decisions at BECU? They need to know that pulling the Alki ATM has hurt their customers.

Posted 2 years ago #
west seattle golfer
Member Profile

Actually RAE, you can use any 7-11 ATM free of charge as well. So the nearest ATM once the the Admiral Wy Safeway ATM is gone is at the 7-11 just west on Admiral.

7-11 locations

Posted 2 years ago #
lazybeard
Member Profile

Have you tried their Contact Us page?

https://www.becu.org/contact-us.aspx

Member Suggestion Line

206-439-5800 or 800-438-7805

Try that.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sue
Member Profile

If you go onto the BECU site and look for surcharge-free ATMs, there are 5 of them within 2 miles of the Admiral Safeway - four 7-11 locations, and the Waterfront Credit Union at Andover/Delridge. Yes, it's frustrating to have them close down locations you use (I'm also a BECU member who uses Safeway much of the time), but it's not like you're being asked to travel 20 miles to the nearest place. And the Admiral Safeway ATM will remain until they close down the Safeway for renovations.

Per the rules for Rants, have you notified BECU of your dissatisfaction with their actions?

Posted 2 years ago #
Cait
Member Profile

As far as I can tell, Roxbury Safeway is keeping their BECU, which I believe serves as a branch similar to the Admiral Safeway. Hoping I'm correct...

This doesn't make me happy either, but compared to the issues I had with WaMu, lack of convenience is nuthin'. I absolutely love them... where they still exist anyway.

Posted 2 years ago #
bluebird
Member Profile

Did Morgan Junction relocate to SeaTac or something?

Posted 2 years ago #
Sue
Member Profile

Cait, BECU's letter about the Admiral Safeway closing did say that the Roxbury Safeway branch would remain open.

There's also the 2nd & Pine location downtown. While obviously not in WS, it's a very quick bus ride away and may be more convenient for some than
Roxbury.

Posted 2 years ago #
pigeonmom
Member Profile

bluebird- lol!

Posted 2 years ago #
gunnerddog
Member Profile

As someone who lives in the Morgan Junction area, may I reccommend you come and visit us sometime. Just make sure you get your car tuned up before you launch on your epic journey.

Posted 2 years ago #
JEM
Member Profile

I find it very convenient to go to the grocery store and get cash back from my purchase. I hardly ever use the ATM.

Posted 2 years ago #
JayDee
Member Profile

As a new "member" of BECU, I am disappointed we are losing a staffed branch at the Safeway, at least for now. When I brought up the subject of the Alki BECU ATM with one of the reps at Safeway, they said that the Safeway ATM has 14,000 transactions/month, while the Alki ATM had only 10% as many. So closing Alki does make sense, fiscally speaking. Of course, if you were one of the 1400/month who used it, maybe not. But I can see the point.
-
As far as going to the 7/11, I'd be a little more nervous about cash withdrawals at the Admiral 7/11--I have seen too many sketchy characters in there at times--I've seen people either trying to scam the clerk, and another time was seemingly a potential robbery attempt(with a car parked perpendicular to the parking spots for a quick getaway...At least until I parked my old car in front).

Posted 2 years ago #
herongrrrl
Member Profile

I was recently at the Safeway branch and got the same story about the Alki ATM. When I joined BECU this past July, they warned me the Safeway branch was closing but I said I was OK with that since the Alki ATM was there--not a peep from them, at the time, that they were considering getting rid of it. Surely that decision wasn't an instant one? I did let them know I was unhappy about it.

I find I can do a lot of things online with BECU, so I don't need a staffed branch, but I do need ATMs to make deposits. I don't find the ATMs in 7-11s convenient, my goal is as few stops as possible when I'm running errands with a baby in tow.

I don't mind going to Morgan Street, except that one never has deposit envelopes. I guess I'll need to go to Roxbury and grab a handful of envelopes so I have them to make deposits. (I've also used the Alaska Federal at the Westwood QFC to make deposits--haven't noticed if there's a AF ATM at the new Junction QFC, anyone else know?)

Posted 2 years ago #
saney
Member Profile

every time i make a deposit, the atm (at admiral safeway) says to NOT use envelopes....is this different at other atms?

Posted 2 years ago #
lazybeard
Member Profile

Saney - The Morgan Junction ATM is "old school" and requires a envelope for a deposit.

Posted 2 years ago #
Weezie
Member Profile

Credit Unions are co-ops. I am glad that BECU doesn't keep ATMs that are underused and puts them in higher traffic areas. That means they are using members' money carefully. I think there is a new product coming out soon where you will be able to deposit checks using your computer, making those pesky trips to Morgan Street even less necessary!

Posted 2 years ago #
meg
Member Profile

BECU rocks. I love them.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mater
Member Profile

They suck. We've been with them for years. They sent us a letter recently offering us a $5 Starbucks gift card if we took it to the Roxbury branch (or a few other choices). It was a an offering since they are closing the Safeway branch. It said to SIMPLY bring your letter for your gift card. I ran in and showed them the letter and instead of SIMPLY handing it over and grabbing my gift card I got "sit down. I need to see our I.D. Fill this out, we need to update your info..." WTF? I was pissed. I didn't have the time. I was there to SIMPLY grab my gift card. I then came home and emailed them through their contact us page and heard nothing in return. I am not happy.

Posted 2 years ago #
bluebird
Member Profile

Your bank sucks because you didn't get coffee fast enough?

Starting to think none of us can be inconvenienced for the slightest thing or our world ends.

Posted 2 years ago #
meg
Member Profile

Seriously mater? You were in that big of a rush for your free coffee card? The card was not owed to you by any means. It was something they did to be nice to their customers.
And "simply" doesn't mean you can speed in and get something in a millisecond. Sitting down and checking your information is pretty simple don't you think?
Your not having time and being in a hurry is not really their problem is it?

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahScoot
Member Profile

Yes, let's all flee our local *community-owned* credit union because they closed an express service center due to upcoming construction and removed an underused ATM. Let's all bank with Chase or Bank of America, because obviously they have our best interests at heart, unlike that evil BECU!! BECU, who nickels and dimes me by charging - oh wait, nothing - to use their services, and gives me a paltry 6.17% APY on the first $500 in my checking, and only 2.15% on the balance above $500. Geez!

...oh wait...

Posted 2 years ago #
swimcat
Member Profile

The ATM at the new QFC in the Junction is a Chase ATM. No credit union ATM nearby that I know of. BECU has incredible rates BTW- I'm definitely a fan.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sue
Member Profile

Great post, Sarah! :)
m, the closest surcharge-free ATM to that new QFC is at the 7-11 at Erskine & California, about 2 blocks away.

Posted 2 years ago #
OlMom
Member Profile

When there is a real reason to rant let me know.

Posted 2 years ago #
Cait
Member Profile

HA! Thanks Sarah... yeah... the fact that they even offered the free coffee anyway is above and beyond. Let's get this in perspective here.

Posted 2 years ago #
bigmark
Member Profile

Sarah, how are you getting 2.15% above $500? On their website it says 0.25%. I would love to get 2.15%, and would open an account there today if it were available.

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahScoot
Member Profile

bigmark, you're right. I just went and checked and it is .25% over $500. Blah. Sorry about that! Still, 6.17% for the first $500 is pretty awesome!
...Hmm, I wonder from where I'm remembering the 2.15% APY?

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

My, how we digress. So, here I go-WHY WOULD ANYBODY DO BUSINESS OF ANY KIND WITH CHASE? Yes, I do get the sarcasm of Sarah's comment. And no, I'm not leaving BECU but they will soon have no presence in the north end of the peninsula. It is a bad decision. It brings to mind the old saying "We don't care. We don't have to".

Posted 2 years ago #
Lex
Member Profile

As was mentined before. you can always go to the local 7-11 and use that ATM for free. Not only that you can also access your BECU accout at any QUALSTAR CU or ALaska USA (which is also in WS at the Westwood QFC) So instead of ranting on BECU take a look at what they have done to make things convenient for you with other resources, more importantly be thankful that they didn't go belly up like WAMU. I've been banking with BECu for 13 years, I have all my accounts there including my credit card, mortgage and i can honestly say I've been happy and continue to be very happy. Oh did i mention you can also use their online banking for FREE!! stopy whining

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

That " whining" you hear is the sound of a squeaky wheel. I know I'm not the only one. If more of us spoke up about it ( started" whining" about it, as you call it) we just might get a favorable response. After all ' BECU says,"It's more than just money". Or maybe they just don't care 'cause they don't have to. Quit whining about whining. Why is this rant and rave feature here, anyway ?

Posted 2 years ago #
CountingCoup
Member Profile

I'm with you RAE as a >30 BECU customer, I enjoyed the convenience of having that new cash machine in the Admiral Safeway, and I did express my opinion to BECU to keep it there... Fingers crossed

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

Today I tried to make a deposit at Admiral Safeway BECU ATM. But the ATM was down and, of course, the mini branch is closed now.
And, of course, the Alki ATM is gone because BECU CHOSE NOT TO RENEW THEIR LEASE. So, I and others that were expecting to do business with this BECU ATM were all very disappointed. We were all expressing our dismay at BECU's abandonment of the north end of West Seattle. BECU needs to know that they are causing their customers great inconvenience. BECU has gotten so big of late, one wonders, do they even care ?

Posted 2 years ago #
pigeonmom
Member Profile

Were the ATMs at 7-11 down too?

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

I don't know as I rarely go to 7-11 for anything. Yes I know that BECU customers can use 7-11 atms. However, I don't think there set up to take deposits and I don't trust them anyway. But your point is moot as BECU has still chosen to inconvenience many hundreds of customers by choosing not to renew its lease at the StarBucks on Alki. There are no 7-11s down on Alki, fortunately.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

the closest place i can make a deposit to my credit union is in Kirkland
when we lived in Minnesota it was in Beaverton

and yet....
hubby has been with them 30+ years
and i don't see a move any time soon.
they are that good!

USAA banking has a new service
you can scan a check to deposit it
i have asked my credit union to look into this
it would solve a lot of problems for me
including allowing me to close a local discretionary account that i use to deposit those occasional checks

the only reason i ever go to Kirkland to the CU bank is to deposit checks.
I don't trust the mail:(

Posted 2 years ago #
guitarboy53
Member Profile

BECU members can now scan checks from home in online banking for remote deposits. I found it in the Online Deposits tab within online banking.

Posted 2 years ago #
on board
Member Profile

@33 RAE

I used the 7-11 at Admiral to make a check deposit this weekend since the BECU ATM had a horrendous line at Safeway. Easy as anything.

Those of you stubbornly refusing to go to a 7-11 (Citibank) ATM are pretty stupid if you ask me. BECU are able to offer savings on fees and products by negotiating deals like this that eliminate the need to scatter ATMs all across the nation like most banks have to do. BECU's deal with 7-11 as well as others is basically what you signed on with when you chose to join a credit union so please stop whining.

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahScoot
Member Profile

But... on board... *stomps feet* I WANT THE ATM I USE TO BE TURQUOISE AND HAVE A PRETTY BECU LOOOOGOOOOO!!! *pout*

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

it's good to want things

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

Yah, I know, It does sound like whining. I'm not gettin much support here. Ooops, there I go again. I do miss being able to walk to my BECU ATM and do my banking. I've been able to walk to my ATM for over TEN years. Not everyone is as mobile as you all seem to be. Now, I have to get on a bus or get a ride to a 7-11 or whatever, all because BECU choose not to renew their lease. The remote outpost of Alki, just didn't make the cut. There are no 7-11s in my neighborhood and I can't spend a hundred dollars on a SCANNER!. I wish I could say it as well as Mark Knopfler, I WANT MY ATM!

Posted 2 years ago #
on board
Member Profile

I also miss the ATM, but it's like everything else at Alki I guess. I miss the real grocery store and cringe to think of the promise of a new one with more outrageous prices. I had to laugh when the time came that we had a food store for pets, but nothing for humans. Then I had to laugh when someone decided the area needed three new Mexican restaurants to open during the same year.

In short, the business climate down in Alki doesn't make much sense, pretty much feast or famine. If it were otherwise however we probably wouldn't love it so much though.

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahScoot
Member Profile

RAE - maybe you should write that song, a la Weird Al. ;-)
Really, though - I do empathize with you overall. I walk or ride the bus everywhere this time of year. The scooter needs a visit to the shop, so that's out even if I were up to riding in the cold, wet, dark weather.
However, BECU does need to carefully manage expenses so that they aren't passed on to members in the form of fees or lower yields. It does suck that we're getting a double-whammy here in WS.

Posted 2 years ago #
dawsonct
Member Profile

One problem with running a business at a beach community (even an ATM) is that you only have 180 deg. of neighborhood to draw from, sometimes less, and only 2-3 months to really make your money for the year. Tough environment.
-
Aside from the access issues, does BECU get an overall yes vote? How about Viking Bank? I REALLY want to leave ChaMu ASAP.

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

Thank you Sarah and OnBoard for your support. I really do love living in the remote out post of ALKI. It's more remote now,though. When we moved here, it was a really self contained WALKABLE neighborhood. You didn't have to get in a car to take care of most of your routine business. That was a big deal to us. We need more neighborhoods like that. We had a grocery store, good coffee and bakery, a couple of good restaurants, AND A BECU ATM, all within walking distance. it seems that we could all agree that walkability, makes a good neighborhood-a place we would all like to live. That's why we all live in West Seattle, right? Otherwise we would live in Bellevue, or Federal Way where you have to get in your car to do ANYTHING.
So, we had our grocery store,right? But the property owner wanted a bigger better building. So, then we were all excited 'cause we got this new fancy grocery store. And it was nice. Really. But the property owner built such a fancy building that he has to charge REALLY high rents. So, our grocery store couldn't make it. So, now we have a LITTLE expensive stop'n shop. Then we got ALL The Best Pet Store. I new right away, that that was not going to last. And I was right. My dog sure misses it, though. I do really like Cactus, However, I would gladly give it up ,that fancy new building and all, for that good old funky grocery store. And now BECU bails on our neighborhood! And so mobility is force upon us. I will gladly be a squeaky wheel about that.

Posted 2 years ago #
Johnson
Member Profile

I live near Thistle & California and think it's just CRIMINAL that BECU hasn't opened up an ATM right around the corner from me, surely that's a good spot!

Morgan Junction is just too far away for me, why can't I have everything in the world I want when I want it regardless of the cost?

I also want snow, but I don't want too much, and I want the city of Seattle to come out and personally sweep off my car every time it snows. Just like a good little Seattleite

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

Wow, johnson, you do have some issues. Like most of us, though. I'd guess that BECUs lack of services is not one of them. Thistle & California is a very nice area. Happy New Year to you.

Posted 2 years ago #
CountingCoup
Member Profile

I really wonder how many of the bloggers here on this post have a BECU account.

If you don't have an account then why do you have such distain for the rant?

Posted 2 years ago #
RAE
Member Profile

Good Point, Countingcoup. Simply made and to the point. Based on your previous posts, there is much we would agree on. I've been a member of BECU for 30 years. They have always been good to me. Years ago, when someone got hold of my account # and spent lots of my money BECU had me come in and go over my account line by line and they restored everything. So I think they are a smart enough group to realize when a series of decisions that they have made really inconveniences hundreds of their customers, that they will FIX IT! But they need to hear from us for that to happen. Contact BECU at BECU.org/Contact us.aspx or 439-5800 / 800-438-7805

Posted 2 years ago #