VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE - MEMBERS ORDERING THROUGH BIRDDOG

[Glen]

Hi all, today I was at Birddogs and found him very distressed. The reason being is he has not been able to use any of his bank accounts, private or personal, since last Friday. The reason is because of this forum. He has kept his troubles to himself.

The reason for this is that in the recent spate of purchases some members, with Birddog's consent have paid via electronic transfer. One member paid last week and his bank rang to confirm the transfer was valid. The member, through no fault of his own, did not call the bank back. The bank alerted Birddog's bank that it may be a suspect transaction and ALL Birddogs account were frozen. No deposits or withdrawals. It has taken till tonight to sort this out. This was a very modest amount, below $2,000. This is very unfair to Birddog who does a lot to support this community (his wife was packing orders as I arrived).

I would like to make a suggestion, or really more of a requirement. We cannot let this happen to Birddog again. His real business was hurt by this. We all know Birddog arranges great prices (I got a $3300 street price lens for $1,800 odd to my door).

In future if anyone orders through Birddog, if it is under a $100 an electronic transfer is ok. If it is over $100, it must be paid either by A) dropping cash over to Birddogs (preferable if close) or for interstate etc B) by depositing cash into Birddogs account (by cash I mean real cash, folding stuff) with the Commonwealth.

If you think this is too much of a hassle or inconvenient or not worth the saving, the answer is simple, do not order through Birddog. If you think that is a hassle, imagine Birddogs hassle. Most things get delivered to our door, it's not that hard to find a Combank. We cannot let this happen to Birddog again. I am making this post with his consent.

Have fun


Glen

[MHD]

my god! Thats horrible!!!!
Did Birddog's bank contact him first!!??
I'd be looking for a new bank. Sorry to hear this mate!

[Glen]

No they didn't MHD, obviously because they thought it was a suspect transaction so they don't notify the bad guys first. They also took till this afternoon to explain. Very bad news for Birddy, and unfortunate it was because of this forum. He puts himself out for us, and then suffers this. I saw only the tip of the iceberg of his frustration.

[MHD]

That is really just stunning... Bad business if you ask me...

Perhaps it might be time to set up a vendor on this site...

[xerubus]

i'm really sorry to hear this birddog..

would a paypal d70users account work?

[sirhc55]

Well done Glen - after meeting Birddog with you earlier today I was feeling his pain for the rest of the afternoon - when there is a person with a big heart and dedication (to a lot of people he has not even met) then we, as a group, must protect a valuable asset - Birddog

Cheers

Chris

[Onyx]

Ouch! My condolences Birddog. This is a very bad thing to have happen... I'm glad it's finally sorted.

And being the modest guy that Birddog is, he would not have mentioned anything had you not brought it to our attention Glen.

I would be more inclined to point this mistake squarely at the bank. Which bank? Should one need to ask...

Birddog - here's what little comfort I can offer through this online medium - it's aptly named American Home:
http://www.pixspot.com/displayimage.php?album=31&pos=0

[christiand]

Hi all,
I'm probably a little bit thick but did I get this right ?
Somebody deposits money electronically into Briddog's CBA account ?
CBA suspects suspicious activity and freezes Birddogs accounts ?
I don't get it. Is this what happened ? I would give CBA a stern warning and consider going elsewhere for business.

Sorry for stirring the pot, Birddog must have the proverbial sheets.

Cheers
CD

[Glen]

MHD, I think most vendors would not like the margins Birddy applies to this group (0%).

Xereubus, they are shocking on fees

Sirhc55, spot on

Onyx, yes that bank

[MHD]

Mabie I used the wrong word... a porthole... a place where people can enter creditcard details and funds go to birddog... I know citibank offers this... a mate uses it on trapdoor.com.au

[Glen]

Christiand, in fact the mebers bank when they he didn't return their call alerted the CBA. The member was with NAB. I must stress this is not the members fault, just when they couldn't contact him to confirm the transaction the process started. This cannot happen again to Birddy.

[MATT]

This info a few days ago would have been good, I have just finished a transaction for my new D70 Kit. Birddog you should have mentioned something.

You are a great bloke, after all this stress you still complete a $2k transaction through EFT without saying a word.

Birddog remember you owe people like me nothing, putting yourself understress is not healthy.

CBA is just about everywhere , it would be the least buyers could do.

Thanks again Birddog.

Now how can I wait till Friday

MATT

[Nicole]

I personally feel that Birddog has been unfairly victamised. Our accounts are with the CBA and no more than 30 mins after transferring the money, the CBA were on the phone to my husband confirming the transaction. Lucky for us we were home and my husband advised it was no problem.

Makes you wonder what they are monitoring out there hey. I feel really sorry for Birddog because he really goes to great lengths to make sure everyone gets their goods. I am more than happy in future to do whatever makes Birddog's life as easy as possible. Sorry Birddog that you had to go through this!

[Glen]

Matt, that is the sort of bloke he is. I insisted on posting this

[fozzie]

Birddog,

I am terribly sorry to here about your problem with the black and yellow bank.

Effective immediately I will process all payment (s) manually. Then scan the deposit slip and what goods it covers and e-mail it to you for reconciliation purposes.

Tomorrow is another day, and hopefully better than the past few.


Cheers,

[MATT]

Well CBA has not contacted me as yet, I will follow up myself tomorrow to ensure it went smoothly as I used net bank.

Glen I'm glad you did.

Hopefully the CBA will stop this carry on.

MATT

[birddog114]

Hi All,
It's a horrible story for me in the last few days.
I didn't receive any call nor any notice from the CBA about their action against me, until I got the message from Mudder and Werewolf that they can't EFt into that account and found out on Monday all my accounts with the CBA is freeze and in the hand of Fraud/ Investigation Dept./ CBA.

I spent all day on the phone with them same as called into the branch but not any luck nor giving me any reasons or explaination about the stop.

I was very upset but tried to calm myself down and wait for their resolve.
They called me this afternoon and want to talk to the depositor of the fund into that account and asked me few questions about him, where and what the money for?

I get that member talk to them after, but am still not hear from them, I've been told from that member they promised to sort it out by the end of today or early tomorrow same as they promised me.
During this time Gary + Nicole + Marvin EFTed into that account, their funds hasn't been shown up into my account yet, perhaps are on hold or floating somewhere, I checked with the bank over the counter this morning and alerted them about their transferred funds.

What I understood is: they thought I am a fraudster and try to hijack bank account same as stealing money from other bank account.

Just wait for tomorrow, there should be an answer, hope there's a relief!

[BBJ]

Shocking news Birddog, sorry to hear what happened and hope it wasnt my order that caused this, but the banks are getting shocking nowdays i get stressed at all the fees they are charging. I know mine was EFT as being interstate but if that means we have to get off out butts and go to the bank and deposit the cash straight to birdies account so be it. I think it is no more less hassle for the savings we save and the help that Birddog gives the group and wouldnt have any problems in doing so. Hope it gets sorted Birddog.
John

[MHD]

whatever you do dont let them get off easily mate...
Some people in the same position as yourself would sue the banks for lost revenue...

let them know you are unhappy!!!!!

[Raydar]

Thanks glen for letting us know about this.

Not happy Jan

This transfer thing over net has always to me had flies on it.
What’s wrong with money orders?? that way the money is there so this Sh&t doesn’t happen to Birdy

Cheers
Ray

[gstark]

I was surprised when on Friday last week, an EFT payment that I had made to Birddog earlier in that week turned back up in the account from which I sent it.

I immediattely let Birddog know, and then contacted my bank, and then the CBA, to try to ascertain what had happenned. Needless to say, neither of the banks had a clue. I resetup the target account, and retransmitted the funds.

This afternoon Birddog and I spoke about this, and I also gave him details of the second transfer, but I was truly shocked at what the CBA had done.

I have no issues with supporting Glen's suggestion, and I think it goes without saying the appreciation and the esteem with which we hold for Birddog.

[christiand]

Hi Birddog,

my condolences again.
I better not tell you how I would talk to CBA and let them know how insulted I would feel and ask them how they value the business. (arrghhh ...)

I hope it all works out in the end.

best regards
CTD

[Werewolf]

Shocking state of affairs. Banks are all the bloody same.

Birddog, I'll be dropping by one day this week from Wollongong with the money I couldn't EFT. I feel slightly guilty having my lovely lens already and I haven't been able to pay you (even tho' I've been trying since Friday night).

Look forward to seeing you then!

[sheepie]

Gary - perhaps you should move this thread to "Trader Opinions" and put a sticky on it - doesn't look good for CBA that's for sure.

Birdy - tell them you're changing banks, then send them a link to this thread!

[bago100]

Hi All and Birdy

When I transferred some money to birdys account over a month ago, the Commonwealth Bank froze my transfer and the money did not go through and I could not access my account. I panicked because Birdy had in good faith, sent my camera to me the day before and had not been paid.
I telephoned the Commonwealth Bank, and after some 45 minutes had established the following.

1. Someone in the bank had decided to freeze the transfer because it was a "large" amount.
2. Someone from the bank telephoned my work number and because I have an answerphone there (I'm a teacher - not at my desk often) the banks policy is not to leave a message.
3. This took well over 45 minutes of waiting and wasting my time to establish and get fixed.
4. I won't repeat here what I then said to the bank after finding all this out, but Birdy, I know exactly how you feel.

On the one hand the banks encourage people to do electronic banking but on the other they interfere in the reasonable rights of its customers to do business and they are so unapologetic about it.

Birdy, if you put your business account theough the Commonwealth, it might make you feel better to make an appointment with your local Commonwealth Bank manager. Then you can make it very clear to them that you will change accounts unless you are treated with more respect than this. Bank managers hate losing accounts because it affects their reputation and because they have to explain to their managers why they lost a business account.

Given the volume of business you must do, the way you have been treated is nothing short of disgraceful.

Whatever is the best solution for you Birdy, I'll gladly go along with.

Please do try to feel better - the cook says there is a little something coming in the mail soon

Cheers

Graham

[gooseberry]

Birddog, sorry to hear about the problems you've been having - especialy since you have helped so many members.

If I read the above posts correctly, it was the other member's bank (NAB) which made the decision that it was a possible fraudulent transfer and called up Birddog's bank.

Actually, I haven't banked in Aus in a long while - do they actually call you up everytime you make an online third party transfer ?

[birddog114]

Birddog, sorry to hear about the problems you've been having - especialy since you have helped so many members.

If I read the above posts correctly, it was the other member's bank (NAB) which made the decision that it was a possible fraudulent transfer and called up Birddog's bank.

Actually, I haven't banked in Aus in a long while - do they actually call you up everytime you make an online third party transfer ?

Yes they do sometimes with unusual transaction of big amount over 2K, even with the CC

[petal666]

Is it a personal account or business account. Maybe they get suspicious when personal bank accounts start to have large amounts of money transferred in and out!!

[birddog114]

Is it a personal account or business account. Maybe they get suspicious when personal bank accounts start to have large amounts of money transferred in and out!!

Both Biz and personal linked and i always have large funds tranferred in history in between

[Raydar]

Is it a personal account or business account. Maybe they get suspicious when personal bank accounts start to have large amounts of money transferred in and out!!

You mite be right mate

But in the big picture it's none of there biss really

Cheers
Ray

[Deano]

It appears to me that the banks have extended their credit card processes to electronic transfers (and then some).

When I bought my D70 in Hong Kong, the bank declined the visa transaction. Fortunately I have two cards so split it across the cards and took the camera away. On the train back from the camera shop my wife called me from Melbourne and said "So you bought a camera then." The bank had called her to verify that it was a valid transaction as it was the first one on our visa on HK. I've had not problems since.

Whilst I think this is a reasonable approach to protecting my visa account from fraud, to freeze the accounts of someone who is receiving money without any notice before or after is just not on.

I feel for you Birddog.

Cheers
Dean

[wile_E]

Birddog, that is rediculous.

To freeze your account without having anything confirmed from the other party... Wow. I'd have words to your local branch manager.

It sounds like you understand and accept the fact that the bank needs to undertake certain fraud controls, however I find it unacceptable that they can close your accounts when the other party to the transaction has not been contacted...

Good luck with what ever you decide though. I hope it gets sorted asap for you.

[Mj]

All I can add is that I am absolutely stunned

On a monthly basis I would transfer larger sums than this between accounts in a couple of different banks (thankfully not the CBA). Never had a phone call... never had a query from either institution.

I think a chat with your 'friendly' business bank manager and some serious consideration to who might best be a good financial partner for your business is in order.

Michael.

[Glen]

MJ, remember it was NAB who gave the tip to CBA that they thought it was fraudulent. How CBA behaved is also the problem. Lets all make sure this doesn't happen again. It is a nice drive to Birddys and he is very hospitable when you get there.

[Maximus]

Though I usually just lurk and read (don't own a camera...yet) just thought I'd pipe up and say "ouch"

[Flyer]

Really sorry to hear about your troubles Birddog.
Somehow I am not surprised. I had few major problems with CBA in the past. In the end I decided to transfer my money to other banks.
I still have 2 accounts with CBA, only because they are linked to my wife's business.
Hope you sort this mess out as soon as possible.
I am happy to pay for the merchandise any way you wish.

[ajo43]

I totally agree that Birdy has been victimised on this one due to the inefficiency of some moron at one of the banks. It is insane that the account receving the cash should be frozen.

Having a bought somthing from Birdy this week I can only hope that it was not my payment that caused the holdup (I didn't get any messages from the bank so I don't think so).

I've had some good experiences with St George in the past but they are all just banks in the end arn't they and Birdy shouldn't be put out simply because he is doing good deals for us.

[birddog114]

Hi All,
I have followed this thread since it started. I thankyou very much for all the support that you're giving me. Your continuing support contribute more encouragement to my strenght of bringing benefits to this small community in the near future and I hope this problem will be resolved as early as they can for me to get back on my track, and it's a lesson for all of us to learn and known in daily life.
Thanks again once.

[Killakoala]

I guess it so typical of banks to do this.

While i can understand the bank looking our for the interests of it's customers considering the high rate of fraud nowadays, it is still unacceptable for the CBA to freeze the accounts without informing the person whose account it is.

I reckon an apology from the banks General Manager and some sort of a token of recompensation would be in order. But i doubt this will be forthcoming, as the banks are arrogant and give nothing away. (Ask John Laws)

Birdy, i hope your stress levels are returning to a stable level and you can continue your life as per normal. I feel for you.

[Mj]

It is a nice drive to Birddys

Indeed... hope to be popping in this Saturday!

And I hear you regarding which bank did what, but still suprised as these transactions are far below usual credit/fraud check procedures. Would probably be a good idea to understand the exact nature of the 'offending' transaction to further enlighten us all to what went wrong.

Michael.

[beetleboy]

I think it's all been said birddog..

Being a very happy customer I offer my sincerest condolences and hope everything gets straightened out swiftly.

Liam =]

[Dargan]

Birddog

I just want to add my support, only logged on now and am appalled at this situation. After todays withdrawal symptoms from the lack of the D70 forum to see this as a message was a double shock

Will do whatever you require for payment in the future. It will all be over with by the Xmas meet so your way through this one. You can't be responsible for all the bad in the world so make your own corner a sunny one.

[MCWB]

When I bought my D70 in Hong Kong, the bank declined the visa transaction.

Ugh, same here, except I bought an LCD (AUD$650) monitor in HK for my other half, then a couple of days later attempted to purchase some perfume for my mother in Singapore, only to (embarassingly) find out that my card didn't work. The first I knew what had happened was a letter when I got home... I rang them up, amd they said they'd noticed some 'transactions in Hong Kong and Singapore'. Funny that! Pretty much defeats the purpose of having a CC overseas if all they're going to do is suspend it each time you buy something of value overseas, and the same applies to the EFTs being discussed here!

You're remarkably philosophical about it Birddog, I'd be tearing shreds off them! If you feel the need for a cleansing ale or lager just let me know.

[dooda]

I too, am impressed with Birdys character through all of this; that and to hear that he's still dedicated to helping this forum-- I've said here before that you're thrice the man I am (after hearing of your service) and this situation confirms this. It would take something much smaller than this to send me packing and completely jaded. You owe everyone here nothing. You're a great example.

[pl55]

I'm sorry to here the problem, stress for you Birddog.

I've totally agreed with Glen solution. BTW I think Birddog should avoid post any goods before the payments came thru ( just to protect himself - afterall a bad apple can spoil this wonderful forum ).

[Greg B]

Birdy,

I strongly suggest that you visit you bank manager or business banker and make it clear that:-

1. you have transactions of this nature, and if they feel the need to put a stop on one incoming transfer, that should not effect the conduct of your accounts overall,

2. the parties transferring funds to you may not be available at short notice to verify transactions,

3. you have suffered financial inconvenience and emotional stress at the actions of the bank

4. unless you receive a clear and absolute assurance that there will be no repetition, with your records duly noted, you will refer the matter to the Banking Ombudsman in the form of a formal complaint.

5. that there are other financial institutions who would welcome your business.

Birdie, if you need a contact name at the ombudsman's office, let me know - a good friend of mine worked there and retains contacts.

Contact me in need

cheers

[Matt. K]

Hi Birddig!
Sorry to hear of your problems with the bank. They have some stupid people working for them. Chin up and remember...a kite flies highest when it goes against the wind.

[the foto fanatic]

Boy, talk about a kick in the guts.
This would test anybody's patience, not to mention sanity.
It is a testament to Birdie's character that he is still prepared to assist members of this forum after such inconvenience to himself and his business.
I hope things get back to normal for you real soon, Birddog!

[phillipb]

Hi Birddog
I can only agree with everithing that's been said so far.
As far as other banks go, I got a call from St. George bank one day, checking if an Ebay transaction of $10 was legitimate, so it seems to be common behaviour among banks.

[Geoff]

Birdy,
You of all people, I can't believe this has happened to you and it's all been said in the previous threads but I too am very sorry to read what has happened. Extremely frustrating! I would let them know how dissatistfied you are and move on to another (? better) banking institution. Good luck with it all,


Geoff.