BajaNomad

Wells Fargo

Keri - 10-13-2011 at 04:45 PM

Does Wells Fargo have a sister bank in Baja? If so at which one can I use my atm card , Thanks k

tripledigitken - 10-13-2011 at 04:50 PM

Keri,

Good to see you posting. Hope you're doing fine!

Ken

Keri - 10-13-2011 at 05:01 PM

Well Ken ,Seems great things are happening here. I can now ,with the help of a crutch of course, walk up my stairs and get in my car. Yea!!!! I'm free . Also just got my wifi hooked up again the first time since April 15. So now I can connect with the world again. I'm one happy camper,k

woody with a view - 10-13-2011 at 05:02 PM

i asked a couple of years ago and they said no. before then i used HSBC in baja with my WF card and didn't get charged. i guess since we bailed them out they pay us back by raising fees and not loaning money. i'm switching to Mission Federal Credit Union.

edit: hope you are healed!

[Edited on 10-14-2011 by woody with a view]

Bob H - 10-13-2011 at 06:42 PM

Keri,
It's great to see you posting and I really hope you are getting better every day. Have been out of town for a couple of weeks and have not had time to catch up on the board.

Just great to see you back on here.
Bob H

bajalou - 10-13-2011 at 06:46 PM

I don't think they have one, but they have a thing you can set up to transfer money from your WF account to a Bancomer account (that is also yours).

Have to set it up at WF to get it started and have an existing Bancomer acct.

Welcome back on board, Keri

Mulegena - 10-13-2011 at 06:48 PM

Yeay!

Glad you're Free At Last!!

You can use your Wells Fargo debit card at any Bancomer atm for a nominal charge. They'll give you a max of 10K Pesos/day.

You can also set up a wire transfer between your Wells Fargo into your Bancomer account. It's pretty easy and allows numerous substantial transfers for a nominal $6 fee. Be sure the name you use is exactly the same for each bank.

jeans - 10-13-2011 at 06:55 PM

I think I used my WF ATM card in any ATM. I never had it refused and the fee was never outrageous

bajalou - 10-13-2011 at 08:04 PM

The WF fee for non WF ATM's is $5 per transaction, no mater what amount you withdraw.

Hook - 10-13-2011 at 08:04 PM

I dont know much about WF but I assume they probably have a similar rate structure to Bank of America, Chase, Citi; in short, all the largely nationwide banks.

It might be worth looking into opening a B of A account, IF you have a Santander bank close to you in Baja. We EFT funds from our credit union for free to our B of A account and then use the ATM liberally. No fee at either end between Santander and BofA and we always get a very liberal exchange rate that is usually about 4% higher than the exchange rate posted on xe.com. No international transaction fee, either, even though the card carries the Visa symbol.

I avoided BofA forever, by the good graces of a credit union, but this just works too well. Two spouses can each get a debit card tied to the same account and EACH can take out the maximum each day.

Hook - 10-13-2011 at 08:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
The WF fee for non WF ATM's is $5 per transaction, no mater what amount you withdraw.


plus the fee by the alien ATM, right?

bajalou - 10-13-2011 at 08:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
The WF fee for non WF ATM's is $5 per transaction, no mater what amount you withdraw.


plus the fee by the alien ATM, right?


Correct!

Santiago - 10-13-2011 at 08:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
I never had it refused and the fee was never outrageous


I don't even know where to start....

elizabeth - 10-13-2011 at 08:51 PM

I have used my WF atm card at Bancomer...WF charges me $5 each time, but I e-mail them and ask them to reverse the charge and they always do....

Bob and Susan - 10-14-2011 at 05:14 AM

wire transfers are 60USA WATCH OUT

withdrawals are about 7 bucks total
depends on the amount withdrawn

international wire transfers take a weeke to
dont let them tell you 3 days

Hook - 10-14-2011 at 05:47 AM

Wire transfers are expensive. EFTs are not. But they are usually limited to a set amount per day. I think our is 3000 DOLLARS per day. Of course, our ATM limit per day is substantially less than that.

unbob - 10-14-2011 at 07:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by elizabeth
I have used my WF atm card at Bancomer...WF charges me $5 each time, but I e-mail them and ask them to reverse the charge and they always do....
I also use my WF debit card to obtain cash from ATMs while in Baja and, yes, I also am charged $5 USD each time I use the ATM. It's an outrageous fee and I'd love to know the email address where I can request a refund of the $5 fee!

When I've called WF CS in the past I've been told in so many words "get lost"! No refund on ATM fees are offered.

Hook - 10-14-2011 at 08:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by unbob
Quote:
Originally posted by elizabeth
I have used my WF atm card at Bancomer...WF charges me $5 each time, but I e-mail them and ask them to reverse the charge and they always do....
I also use my WF debit card to obtain cash from ATMs while in Baja and, yes, I also am charged $5 USD each time I use the ATM. It's an outrageous fee and I'd love to know the email address where I can request a refund of the $5 fee!

When I've called WF CS in the past I've been told in so many words "get lost"! No refund on ATM fees are offered.


This COULD be due to the differences in the types of accounts you have and/or your relative assets/liabilities with the bank.

Someone with chump change in one account and someone with six figures, a stock portfolio and a mortgage may get very different service. Indeed, they may QUALIFY for upgraded services.

Welcome to the world of capitalism. :lol:

absinvestor - 10-14-2011 at 11:47 AM

The w/f $5 fee includes the ATM fee. I used the Mulege Bancomer ATM machine 12 times (and a couple of additional Bancomer ATM machines at Santa Rosalia and Maneadero) from the first part of July to the first of October (3 banking statement cycles.) In every instance the ATM machine had me agree to a 21.75 peso fee which I did. However in every instance I received from the ATM machine the exact withdrawal amount (for example I usually withdraw 5000 pesos at a time and I always receive the full 5000 pesos.) A $5 fee appears on my bank statement but never any additional fee. I receive a better exchange rate at the ATM vs going into Bancomer which more than offsets the $5 w/f fee.

Cypress - 10-14-2011 at 01:05 PM

It's no big deal! Cash is a very good thing to have, greenbacks or pesos, not complicated. If your bank won't do business south of the border without adding excessive fees ect., find a new one.:yes:

bajalou - 10-14-2011 at 01:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by unbob
Quote:
Originally posted by elizabeth
I have used my WF atm card at Bancomer...WF charges me $5 each time, but I e-mail them and ask them to reverse the charge and they always do....
I also use my WF debit card to obtain cash from ATMs while in Baja and, yes, I also am charged $5 USD each time I use the ATM. It's an outrageous fee and I'd love to know the email address where I can request a refund of the $5 fee!

When I've called WF CS in the past I've been told in so many words "get lost"! No refund on ATM fees are offered.


It's $5 for ANY non WF ATM, even in the US. (BofA or Chase, credit union, etc.)

bajalou - 10-14-2011 at 01:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by absinvestor
In every instance the ATM machine had me agree to a 21.75 peso fee which I did.


This fee is added to the 5000 ( or whatever amount) pesos you withdrew when it is converted to US dollars. Then the US bank adds their $5 fee.

elizabeth - 10-14-2011 at 08:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Quote:
Originally posted by unbob
Quote:
Originally posted by elizabeth
I have used my WF atm card at Bancomer...WF charges me $5 each time, but I e-mail them and ask them to reverse the charge and they always do....
I also use my WF debit card to obtain cash from ATMs while in Baja and, yes, I also am charged $5 USD each time I use the ATM. It's an outrageous fee and I'd love to know the email address where I can request a refund of the $5 fee!

When I've called WF CS in the past I've been told in so many words "get lost"! No refund on ATM fees are offered.


It's $5 for ANY non WF ATM, even in the US. (BofA or Chase, credit union, etc.)


I access my WF account on line and simply send them a message asking for a waiver, and they have always done it. Not all cards charge a fee. I also have a Capital One card that does not charge a fee.

unbob - 10-14-2011 at 09:13 PM

"I access my WF account on line and simply send them a message asking for a waiver"

OK, I'll try that next time!

elizabeth - 10-15-2011 at 07:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by unbob
"I access my WF account on line and simply send them a message asking for a waiver"

OK, I'll try that next time!


They do not do it in advance. Each time you use it, you have to ask again after the charge is assessed...kind of a pain, but worth the $5! I simply remind them that I have been a long time customer.

absinvestor - 10-15-2011 at 10:01 AM

To BajaLou- thanks for the explanation on the 21.75 peso fee. I just use what W/F charged my account in dollars and add the $5 fee and divide by the pesos I received. The net exchange rate I receive in pesos is always substantially higher than what I can get by going into Bancomer to exchange money. If I was using the ATM for small withdrawals the 21.75 peso fee and $5 W/F fee would be a concern but with 5000 peso withdrawals these amounts do not significantly effect the net exchange rate.

bajalou - 10-15-2011 at 11:10 AM

absinvestor - that's my thoughts on it also. Always withdraw the max and the fee isn't very significant.

durrelllrobert - 10-15-2011 at 05:25 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by elizabeth
I have used my WF atm card at Bancomer...WF charges me $5 each time, but I e-mail them and ask them to reverse the charge and they always do....
I also use my WF debit card to obtain cash from ATMs while in Baja and, yes, I also am charged $5 USD each time I use the ATM. It's an outrageous fee and I'd love to know the email address where I can request a refund of the $5 fee!

When I've called WF CS in the past I've been told in so many words "get lost"! No refund on ATM fees are offered.


This is exactly what it says when I access my WF account online:

Email Us For optimal viewing of the Wells Fargo Web site, we recommend that you enable CSS.

Please print this page to refer to later.

Can I use my ATM Card or Debit Card outside the United States?

Your Wells Fargo card is one of the many convenient ways to make purchases and get cash when you’re traveling outside the country. To make the most of your card, please familiarize yourself with the following information before you go, or read our full list of International Travel Tips.

Before you go:
•To ensure that your card remains active, go back to the previous page and click the “Send Email” button to include a note on your account. Include dates and countries you expect to visit. Or call us at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-856-3557). Bankers are available to assist you anytime.


•Most foreign ATMs require a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) that does not begin with a zero. If you need to change your PIN to comply with this requirement, you can do so through our Touch-Tone Banking Service (1-800-869-3557), at any Wells Fargo ATM, or by taking your card into any Wells Fargo branch.


While traveling:

•Wells Fargo will assess a $5.00 fee for ATM cash withdrawals made outside of the United States and a 3% foreign currency conversion fee for Point of Sale purchases made with your ATM Card or Debit Card. The owner or operator of the non-Wells Fargo ATM may also charge an additional fee.


•You can use your Wells Fargo Debit Card to make purchases anywhere Visa® debit cards are accepted.


•You can use your Wells Fargo ATM Card or Debit Card to get a cash advance at a local financial institution. (Wells Fargo charges a $3.00 over-the-counter cash advance fee.)



I access my WF account on line and simply send them a message asking for a waiver, and they have always done it. Not all cards charge a fee. I also have a Capital One card that does not charge a fee.

elizabeth - 10-15-2011 at 05:33 PM

I know that's what it says...but if you want your $5 charge reversed...log on to your account, click on contact us, then on the far right side of the page it offers other ways to contact...click on e-mail, and an e-mail window opens up...send the message and the charge will likely be reversed. Mine always have been.

Lee - 10-15-2011 at 07:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by elizabeth
I know that's what it says...but if you want your $5 charge reversed...log on to your account, click on contact us, then on the far right side of the page it offers other ways to contact...click on e-mail, and an e-mail window opens up...send the message and the charge will likely be reversed. Mine always have been.


A lot depends on how long you've been with WF and the ''relationship'' you have with them. While I'm sure they would reverse a ATM charge for me, I went with a online BofA account for Baja. No ATM charges as long as I use Santander. No charges for the checking account either although they charge me $4.00 to make a deposit into my account -- which is done by check to a Florida address. As long as I only do transactions through ATM's, there are no fees. Great thing is I was able to open this account online and never visited a bank.