So the Bank of America, I guess trying to streamline the deposit process, has installed these new ATMs where you no longer put your checks in an evelope, but instead insert them one at a time into a slot like the dollar bill slot in a vending machine. The machine is supposed to scan your check and read the amount. Great. Except they don’t work half the time. Or, in my most recent episode with the bank, 2/3 of the time.

Last week I had three checks all the same size and configuration, all from the same company. All neat and flat, no wrinkles. I stuck one check in and it got rejected 4 times. I stuck the next check in and it got accepted. Thinking maybe the machines are smart enough to learn, I stuck the 3rd check in. It too got rejected multiple times. I know, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is supposed to be a sign of insanity. Believe me, this was driving me insane.

I did finally give up. But since it was 8:30 in the morning I couldn’t even go in to the bank and deposit the remaining checks with a real person. Instead I had to wait until later in the day and visit another branch where the line was very long. So, just to be perverse, I tried my checks in that ATM. They were accepted. Same checks, maybe even a little worse for wear. WTF? Technology should be installed to improve our lives not drive us mad.

Is B of A installing these infernal machines everywhere? Or is Humboldt County part of a social experiment to see how long it will take before people start trashing and burning their buildings like they did in the 70s? I know, I should be using a local bank. But we’ve had  those accounts for years. Long before Redwood Capital was around. Besides, I really like the Bank’s online services which save us lots of time. And we do have accounts at RCB as well.