I've been a customer of my bank for about 30 years. So when I needed to take care of this passport paperwork, I thought, let me call ahead. I called and explained exactly what I needed. I told them I had an international passport application that needed to be notarized as well as a passport picture that needed to be signed. But I didn't stop there. I specifically explained it had to be the bank manager. The response was "yes, we can do that." But because I wanted to make sure there wasn't any misunderstanding, I clarified. It has to be the manager. I was put on hold. When they came back, I was told "yes, they could most definitely do that," and that I could walk into the branch and the manager would take care of it. Perfect. That was exactly what I needed to know. So I made the trip. When I arrived, I gave them my information and explained what I needed. I didn't get to speak with the manager directly. Instead, the rep took my application and photo in the back to the manager. When she returned I was told they could notarize the passport application, but the manager would not be the person doing it. Wait. What? That wasn't what I was told when I had called to confirm. And then there was the passport photo. The back of the photo needed to be signed to attest that the person in the photo was me. I explained that, but was told they couldn't do that. And that's when I started wondering, did the person I spoke to on the phone actually heard what I asked? Because sometimes people hear a keyword and answer a general question instead of the specific one that was actually asked.
I wasn't trying to waste anybody's time, especially not my own, so that's why I called ahead. I wanted to know, before making the trip, if the right person was available to handle what I needed done. Had the answer been no, that would have been okay. Tell me no. I can work with no. I can make other arrangements. What I can't work with is being told yes, making the trip based on that information, and then finding out when I arrive that the answer is actually something different. That's the part that frustrated me.
Fortunately, I had another option. I went to another bank where I have been a customer for 14 years. And the manager there, even though he didn't usually handle international passport matters, took the time to listen to my request and checked my banking record. He confirmed that I'd been with them for 14 years, came back, signed the passport application, and even wrote on the back of the photograph and signed it. And just like that. I was on my way.
The lesson? Plan ahead, ask specific questions, and allow time for surprises. That way, you get it all done days in advance and you can focus on packing for your trip instead of stressing over getting that checklist completed. Just practical timing and follow through. I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋
