The Joys Of Bank Customer Service

So, I went to the bank to clear up an issue regarding a check sent to my credit card company not clearing. I call my credit card company, a very respectful, kind customer service rep tells me their side and off to the bank I went to speak with a customer service rep there, a woman, bank and credit card paperwork in hand.

As soon as I sit down…well, here’s the exchange.

ME: There seems to be a mistake.

HER: No, there isn’t.

Me: Well, I contacted my credit card comp—

Her: They’re wrong, we’re right.

Me: Why don’t we call the credit card company to get this resolv—

Her: No.

Me: Why not?

Her: Because I’m not going to. We’re right, they’re wrong.

Me: Why are you being so combative?

Her: I’m not.

Me: Doesn’t the fact you just said ‘ I’m not’ instead of something like: Jeez, I didn’t realize I was. It’s not my intention to be’ lead to at least the possibility you’re being combative?

Her: No.

Me: No, even though the person you’re communicating with is informing you of how you’re coming across, especially since the person is a customer?

Her: Right. It doesn’t work that way.

Me: Well, how does it work?

Her: You can say I’m being combative and I can say you’re wrong.

I felt like I was talking with Martin Short’s lawyer character, Nathan Thurm on Saturday Night Live, the one who was always combative and would look in the camera and say ‘It isn’t me. It’s him, right?

To the point in one skit, a person asked him to read something and he says:

Why don’t you read it? Why do I have to read it?

Person: Well, I have read it.

Then why do I have to? (looks at camera) It’s him, right?

I found one clip of Nathan Thurm on YouTube if you care to see, Not the same skit and he doesn’t say ‘It’s him, right’ but you get the jist.