alexist

I tried getting some money out the other day and got declined. Neil got a fraud alert letter. I called First Direct to get them to fix my card. I verify my security details and get passed on to fraud. Some idiot starts giving me this whole yada yada explanation. I know what happened. I forgot to call the bank and I hit the automated fraud system. I cut her off--I don't care, I want it fixed. She says she can't. What the fuck? You can't tell the fraud alert system that the cardholder is actually out of the country? I went nuclear and asked for the supervisor. (I'm 99% sure, by the accents, that I was transferred to India.) She goes through the same thing, no, they can't fix it. I'm incredulous. "You can't lift the fraud alert?" "Well we can but it will just happen again"

I mean, WTF? Do they expect their customers to never go abroad and forget to call? The almighty computer system, it will not permit it!

I'm not broke and I can get money another way but this was just bullshit.

1) called First Direct. Spoke to woman who spoke comprehensible English. Confirmed details of ATM attempt (I hadn't called the bank straight away because my American card was also rejected despite having plenty of cash, so I thought the machine was flaky), fraud alert lifted.

2) Dropped my watch off for repairs. It will take 4-6 weeks just to get an estimate *sobs*

US:
whole milk = red (on the carton, obviously)
skim milk = blue

UK:
whole milk = blue
skim milk = red

At least in both countries, green is low-fat (although the US has 2 kinds of low fat, 1% and 2%, and the UK just has semi-skimmed)