Talking to an agent from the US.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (223516)
Walnut Creek, California
December 8, 2023 1:15pm CST
Inspired by MyLot multi-billionaire @Porwest, I decided to check on my Ameritrade account this morning. OK, Ameritrade was bought out by Charles Schwab, so I guess I checked my Schwab account.
Of course, my password did not work, and I could not access my account. I reset my password as per the instructions on the website, and it still did not work.
To Schwab's credit, they had a phone number on their website, so I called that phone number. Within three minutes, I was connected to an individual (not a bot) who was able to access my account.
It turned out that a CD I had bought several months ago had come due, and I had some cash to spend on a new CD. The person on the line was able to help me purchase a new CD, yielding 5.4 percent, from some bank in Iowa. I chose that CD both to honor Greg from Iowa (@xander6464) and the State where I went to college.
We then reset my password. So now, at least in theory. I can access my account online.
The two things that amazed me this morning were the fact that I was able to speak to a person within a few minutes of calling, and that said person spoke English.
While we were waiting for something to upload, I asked the representative if he ever received comments of relief that he actually spoke English. He said "You would be surprised by how many callers spontaneously comment about that." He said that most or all of Schwab's call centers were in the US
To summarize, I had an experience this morning that did not induce the usual sense of helplessness that comes with trying to get something done. And I would recommend Charles Schwab to anyone who has some money to invest.
10 people like this
11 responses
@BearArtistLady (6036)
• United States
8 Dec 23
I have come to the point where if I get someone on the phone that I can't understand I will add panic to my voice and yell good and loud,"OH MY GOD FREYA, NO!!!! And then I hang up. I don't like dissing people that speak in a accent or manner that I can't understand, but I am in enough pain right now that it is HELL trying to decipher what a person is saying on the phone. I mean from the fall just before Thanksgiving, my ribs, left ankle, right wrist, and hip all are still sore. Some of the people I have spoken to that have a heavy accent get upset when I ask them to repeat themselves.
6 people like this
@celticeagle (171630)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Dec 23
Really? He spoke unbroken English. You lucked out. I will remember this about Schwab.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (171630)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Dec 23
@TheHorse .........Perhaps second-generation American.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (223516)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Dec 23
@celticeagle No clue. I am jut glad I was able to get my needs met. It is rare.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (223516)
• Walnut Creek, California
9 Dec 23
@BarBaraPrz We'll see if it happens again. In this lifetime, I mean.
2 people like this
I hope no coal for you.
@RasmaSandra (82649)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Dec 23
Glad you had such a positive experience,
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (82649)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Dec 23
@TheHorse most likely that is true. I am glad I do not have to phone anyone right now, The last time I had a phone and I had to get in touch by the time I heard the recording in English and in Spanish and they told me about all the buttons to press I forget what I wanted 
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (183926)
• United States
9 Dec 23
Yay for speaking to someone in the US. 5.4% is excellent. Enjoy your weekend.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (75289)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Dec 23
That really is rare. I'm glad jobs like that still exist.
2 people like this
@Tina30219 (82476)
• Onaway, Michigan
8 Dec 23
Glad you was able to get your password reset for your account. I hope your day was good and your evening will be good as well
2 people like this
@xander6464 (44813)
• Wapello, Iowa
9 Dec 23
You're gonna like our bank. They sell live bait in the lobby. For buying a CD, you should get a bucket of minnows. At least they used to do that. They've made a lot of cutbacks lately but keep checking your mail.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44813)
• Wapello, Iowa
12 Dec 23
@TheHorse Sorry. For worms, you have to open a new checking account.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (223516)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Dec 23
@xander6464 I understand. If minnows come to me in the mail, might they be a bit stinky by the time they get here?
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (111934)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Dec 23
That would be wonderful. Hope you can get into your account later
1 person likes this
@porwest (96463)
• United States
11 Dec 23
Finding customer service reps or call centers located here does seem to be quite the challenge these days. I still use Schwab since they bought the Ameritrade platform, but I have moved most of the money I had there since I prefer the Ameritrade platform over the current Schwab one. It was a secondary brokerage anyway. Most of my money is at eTrade.
But 5.4% is definitely a good CD rate. The highest I am getting right now is 5.10% at Ally.
1 person likes this
