Going bankrupt - and Worried About Shoes???

I went to my local Washington Mutual this past Friday located on Lake Mead & Rampart to use the ATM. I was denied use of the ATM because I did not have shoes on.

The reasons given was that "It is a nationwide health code" and "I could drop something on my foot".

The newspapers show that Washington Mutual got hurt badly by the mortgage crisis. There is speculation of being bought out or possibly going bankrupt if the Federal Reserve does not continue to bail them out. In the meantime, you are going to deny me access to MY OWN MONEY from an ATM due to my being barefoot?

Am I a delinquent? Not at all. I own a small business and run a non profit group on the side. I have researched this previously with all the possible local ordinances to see if it was legal to allow customers without shoes.

The Health Department states there is no law regarding footwear (Especially if you do not sell food, hazardous waste, or any glass products). OSHA does not have any regultions on this for the same reason. Fire Department has no such "fire Codes".

Furthermore, I have a Small Business Insurance for my business with Farmers Insurance. This "footwear code" was asked to a few different agents, and I received a letter from them also. "I will quote a section of the metter from Farmers Insurance: "There are no insurance codes regarding footwear for a business not involved in chemicals, hazardous waste, or anything that can involve a serious foot injury. Your rates will not go up nor down due to footwear or lack thereof."

As far as glass, WaMu does not sell any glass products, nor sells or distributes items which can "Drop on my foot". I have dropped a bank statement or a dollar bill on my foot probably hundreds of times in my life. I have received zero injuries, as I am certain no other accountholder has.

Also, bare feet are not offensive anymore, as possibly 98% of your customers in the summertime wear flip flops. People wear flip flops as thin as a piece of paper, held on by basically a rubberband. You can't help but notice female accountholders take one of their feet out of their flip flops or high heels when they are standing. The "Shoes on at all times" could be quite offensive to a lady if they are depositing a few thousand dollars and have one of their feet out of their uncomfortable high heels. You surely should not refuse to accept a $25,000 deposit from someone for have a shoe off and their foot 6inches away from their shoe.

So, if WaMu does not sell any products with glass, there are no insurance or health codes regarding bare feet, and WaMu has absolutely nothing for me to "drop someting on my foot", then what is the problem with me using an ATM barefoot?

If this matter is not resolved, I already have contact with people at a local US Bank. I told them of this and they laughed about WaMu's recent policy. I will not have to worry about footwear going into this other bank.As son as my next batch of automatic debits go through, I will probably transfer my banking needs there instead of worrying about footwear.

I would be open to not allowing me access to employee-assisted banking, so long as I can have use of the inside ATM. That's not my preferred method by far, but I would accept that.

WaMu should focus on other facets of their business instead of checking for shoes.

Comment On This

all this cause you didnt want to put shoes on? the economy is going down. banks are hurting, everyone is freaking out...and you are worried about shoes?! because you never know what may happen, have you ever had your toes hit a corner of a furniture? I sure have, and it hurt, what if it that happened while you are in the bank? what if the person before you dropped their watch and the glass broke, and you stepped on it? what if someone steped on you by accident? And Im sure you would be the one to sue. If the worse of your problems is that you are not allowed to wear shoes, then I wish I had your life mr. money bags. Rather worry about the real problems in life, instead of the stupid ones like this.