Too Much Customer Service?

I didn't think there was such a thing as too much customer service, but I think I was wrong.

I walked into a Chase Bank today to deposit a couple of checks.  Before I even got to the front of the establishment, I could see one of the employees standing just outside the double glass doors -- all suited up and ready to be helpful.  I thought, "Really?  They're standing outside now?"

See, the thing is that I've been using this particular Chase branch for the last couple of years, and every time I go, it's the same thing -- eager (or bored?) employees waiting to wait on me.  It seems nice at first, but after a while, I just want to get in there, make my deposit, and get out.  I don't want to chit-chat with someone new each time.*  Plus, I know how to make a deposit quickly.  It's easier to just do it myself than to sit down at a banker's personal desk and let him or her fill out the deposit slip for me.  Who needs help at the bank after the first time, anyway?  It can be a little intimidating to open an account, but once you've done that and made your first trip, you just don't need much assistance anymore.

So aneeeway . . .  There I was, walking toward the doors, when the man in the suit greeted me.  I avoided eye contact while I curtly said hello and quickly went in.  Thankfully, no one was at the front desk, so I went to the table with the deposit slips, etc. and began doing what I went to the bank to do.  As I was completing my slip, though, the outside greeter came by, paused for a moment while he watched me write, and said, "Hi, my name is _____; if you need anything after you make your deposit, just come over to my desk and let me know."  Of course I rushed to the teller as quickly as I could before _____ saw me, even though he was on the phone, anyway.

I left feeling irritated with that branch's overzealous approach to customer service.  Banks are not places I want to spend much time in; as I said before, I want to get in and get out.  If Chase was a theme park or a playground or an airport, I might say, "Yeah, sure -- give me a few reasons to stay here a while," but a bank?  Just make my errand as quick as possible, give me a Dum Dum at the end, and smile as you say goodbye.

What do you think, readers?  Is there such a thing as too much customer service?


*Then again, I'm one of those people who doesn't like to be talked to while I shop for clothes, get my teeth cleaned, or have my hair cut.



Thing I'm thankful for: meatball subs