Don't die. Whatever you do, don't die!
By the time my ex mother-in-law died, I had already been split from her daughter for a good while. We were still quite close at the time though, the situation with her mum’s illness kind of being the glue that continued to bind us. More fool me, but nevermind. Blood under the bridge and all that.

The day she died, we both went up the street to sort a few things out – notify the undertakers, close bank accounts, that sort of thing. I went along more for moral support than anything else, having been made redundant in all other aspects. All was going well, until we got to the last bit of financial stuff to sort out. With the Halifux; with whom the outlaw had some shares and a TESSA. We went in, waited in the queue, then got to the counter. I let my ex do the talking, whilst I stood back.

“Hello”, she said, “My mum died this morning and I’m sorting out her affairs. I know she’s got some shares and an account with you but I can’t find the papers; I was just wondering if I gave you the details, if you could let me know how much was in them and possibly close the accounts? I’ve got her death certificate here”.

“Yes, of course”, the cashier began. This sounds promising. “I’ll make you an appointment”. Or, maybe not.

“I don’t really have to want to come back, to be honest, can’t you just tell me now?”

“I’m afraid we can’t”.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s a private matter”.

“But there’s nobody in here”.

“It’s company policy”.

“I really don’t mind, all I want to do is get this sorted today so I don’t have to worry about it. Please?”

“You would need to make an appointment to be seen in a private room”.

“Honestly, I really would prefer to sort this here”.

And on it went for another five minutes whilst my ex got more and more frustrated. Eventually, probably to shut her up and get rid of her, they acquiesced to her request, and the matter was sorted quickly. The accounts were closed and the assets transferred to a holding account.

“Thank you”, said my ex to the teller monkey, politely but with obvious disdain.

“You’re welcome”, came the terse reply, “but next time this happens you will need to make an appointment”.

My ex turned, and calmly remarked “I can assure you that my mother isn’t going to die a second time”. Then she turned on her heel and walked out. Secretly, I was quite impressed.

I closed my account with the Halifux the very next day.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 17 Jul 2009, 23:13, 3 replies)

Stating the obvious here...
... but that's ridiculous. Privacy is a right of the customer - and is a right that can be waived by the customer should he wish.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Sat 18 Jul 2009, 14:58, closed)

Well quite.
This particular branch was staffed by the most consistently rude and obnoxious staff. All the others I've been in have been fine.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sat 18 Jul 2009, 17:48, closed)

hehe
*clicks*
(mr-lizard Hell's teeth man!, Sat 18 Jul 2009, 15:04, closed)