Dear TD Canada Trust,We’ve been together for a long time, more than three decades. I guess you could say we know each other pretty well. I feel like I’ve invested a lot in this relationship and I think we’ve been open and honest with each other. I didn’t think you’d spring something so big on me without talking about it first - and so close to Valentine’s Day, too.
I mean, opening your doors on Sunday is a pretty big deal! I didn’t even receive a text message from you about it… instead, I had to read it in the newspaper.
You see, I’m a Christian. For my family and a whole lot of others in this relationship, Sunday is a special day, a day like no other. I know a lot of people in our world don’t see it like that. I respect their beliefs but at the same time, I thought you were different. Remember those 10 commandments? You’ve always seen the importance of “thou shalt not steal.” What about “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy?” It may not be as trendy for you now but it’s still right there in the top 10.
When I was six and we first met, you made a really big deal over my first deposit of twenty-three cents. I looked up to you in those days. Over the years, though, you didn’t seem to want to look me in the eye. You gave me cards and encouraged me not to enter past the bank machines, suggested I pay bills over the phone and, later, on the computer. At times you wouldn’t even take my calls, leaving me on hold, just waiting...toying with my emotions.
Remember when Sunday was about going to church as a family, having breakfast together, talking about the Saturday night hockey game and planning something fun to do for the day? You took a break on Sunday, and so did I. Maybe it was tobogganing, building a tree-house. And honestly, not once did we seem to miss each other.
Sunday is still a special day for me, and for millions of other people across the country, including many who will be asked to work in the 300 banks you’re opening on Sundays as of this week. It won’t be a special day for them anymore, just another work day. Will you make more money? I bet you will. But then again, with profits upwards of $4.5 billion in 2010, how much is enough? Did your friends put you up to this? It just doesn’t seem like something you’d do, at least not that someone I met 30 years ago. Maybe we’ve just drifted apart…
I’m sorry TD, maybe we need to take a break and see other people. Don’t worry I won’t make it messy. I’ll always respect you but I’m not sure we share the same values anymore. You take your $4.5 billion, I’ll take the 23 cents and the Sundays too. And when it’s all over, I’ll look back at those great Sunday memories with family and you’ll be able to count your cash.
Somehow I think I’ll end up the rich one…
Sincerely,
Customer 415622662, formerly known as Neil
11 comments:
Nice. I like it.
Yikes! That's my bank!
I wonder if other banks will be following this path in the future.
I am going to write a letter and speak to my husband about looking into other options - maybe a credit union.
I recently cancelled my Bell phone and long distance, sympatico and ExpressVu because they dropped EWTN.
Catholics need to stand up and be counted.
Well said.
I posted this on FB and my sisteer told me that TD & CIBC in Bloor West Village have had short Sunday hours for months!
I read your blog and wanted to say that I appreciate you taking the time to write. I’m going to do my best to address your concerns about TD offering seven day banking in over 300 branches.
First off, it’s great to hear that over the years, you’ve had a positive experience as a TD Canada Trust customer.
Our decision to open selected branches seven days a week was not one we made lightly. We thought long and hard about what this would mean to our customers as well as our employees. We made this change in specific markets where our customers have been telling us through research that they would welcome the option to bank in person with us seven days a week. The option for more time to bank face to face is an important one.
A key part of our culture at TD is the open dialogue we have with our employees. So it was important for us to begin employee discussions on seven day banking early on. We had conversations on an individual basis, and found solutions that worked for employees and for the business.
Our customers today reflect the diversity we see across Canada. While we understand that Sunday is the Sabbath for some of our customers, by being open longer hours during the week as well as on Sundays we’re able to give Canadians of all faiths options to bank when it’s convenient for them.
Thank you for sharing your views and I hope you will continue to bank with us.
Kerry Peacock
Executive Vice-President, Branch Banking
I'll admit, I bank with a few banks, none of them are TD, but that's just because my mom drove me to another bank two decades ago with my first $100 deposit - my First Communion gift money.
I also feel sad that my banks have asked me to talk to them over the phone and internet and interact with machines instead of people, but really, it's a bit unfair to blame TD for changing our culture around Sundays and family time in Canada.
That happened back when I was a kid and the Ontario government legalized Sunday shopping.
We try as much as possible in our family to avoid Sunday shopping, excepting emergency situations, and in my opinion, it's up to Catholic/Christian families and for that matter, any of the people of God, to keep a holy day in their week.
All we can ask from TD and any other employer is that their workers have the option to avoid being scheduled for shifts on their holy day and not penalized or discriminated against in any way for honoring their obligations to the Lord.
I wonder if they will hire any new employees who will not work on the Lord`s Day?
If Bloor West Village was opening on Sunday - it is purely for financial reasons as this is a tourist area.
Almost seems like a Charles Dickens type of company. Longer hours & 7 days a week.
For some people it may not even be a faith issue but the only day of the week that they have family together.
How long will it take before Good Friday is open for business?
I appreciate the many comments on this posting. It's also interesting that TD had a Vice-President respond to the issue. I appreciate them using the space to share their thoughts. While they feel they are clearly responding to the needs of their customers, it's important for Christians to make the point that Sunday is still a special day.
Thanks for all your comments.
Kerry Peacock mentioned that TD Canada Trust is open on Sundays to reflect the diversity of Canada. I am a little confused with that response. I grew up in India and lived there for most of my life. I worked in a nationalized bank in India. India is a multi-religous and multi-cultural. The majority of Indians are Hindu. Christians are only 2% of the total population. Yet all banks and major government institutions are closed on Sunday.
If TD wants to make more profits by keeping the bank open on Sunday then that is their choice. But to say it is to reflect the diversity of our country dosent make sense.
TD Canada Trust recently moved to open most of their branches on Sunday and its a big step towards customer satisfaction
Post a Comment