Excellent bank rep help w/check

About 2 months ago we went to Bloomies and bought a bunch of stuff. Becasue of some special bonuses, we wound up spending quite a bit. Tried to use my checkcard and couldn't because the amount would exceed my daily purchase limit. So I wrote a check.

For reasons the bank still cannot explain, the check was returned marked "Refer to maker" I have no idea what that means. Note that it's a joint account and I'm the secondary on it (and rarely write checks).

So I called the store to see if they were going to just redeposit the check or what. They didn't know, in fact, as far as they were concerned, there was nothing amiss.

Weeks goes by and nothing. Finally, I get a mysterious phone message that says to call before 11pm EST about a very important manner. So I called and it was a guy from a the CA that has my check. I ask if he's going to push it back through and he said they couldn't because of the amount (over $1500) and the length of time elapsed.

So he asked if I have a debit card for that account and if so, they could use that. I told him sure, I'd be more than happy to do it that way--but first, I cant just give out my Visa number unless I have some proof. He offers to fax me a copy of the check along with something on their letterhead.

I'm all set for this but then his manager gets on the line and starts demanding to know my Visa number, my employers name etc etc. I told him I needed verification before giving out sensitive info like that. So then he cops an attitude saying he's doing me a favor by taking a Visa payment and that their lawyer was waiving the usual fee etc etc and I had better play along or he would sue me. I informed him that (a) he just violated several federal and state consumer laws (b) he can't intimidate me like he's trying and (c) he can't do much from FL because he company isn't listed as being bonded or licensed in my state according to the Dept of Revenue's online listings.

::silence::

The first guy (a much nicer, calmer person) got back on the phone and I overheard the "manager" guy say 'Do what you want but he ain't gonna pay you. I bet you lunch!' So I told the first guy to fax me that letter and I will be more than happy to call him back and finish up.

I then called my bank and verified that the check had not been resubmitted. I asked the rep about my checkcard spending limit and explained the check situation. She said that she saw notes on my account that they would pay any fees charged by the merchant because of a bank error. I told her I was going to pay it off with my checkcard. And that's when she really got helpful.

She advised me against that course of action but I mentioned that their fax was on the way. She told me that if I was going to do that, first I would have to increase my spending limit. To do that I could just fax their customer service center with a letter asking for my limit to be boosted for one day. Then, I should call the next day (today) and report the card as lost and have it shut off. While we were talking, she took the liberty to put a stop payment on the check to prevent them from resubmitting it and getting paid twice! Finally she told me to go into any branch and get a new card.

I did get the fax from the CA and they included the copy of the front and back of the check. After it arrived, I called and verified that my spending limit was raised and then called the guy back. I told him he had better be really really hungry and he better order dessert! I gave him my Visa number and he processed the payment. He faxed a copy of the Visa receipt and said he would mail the original check back to me.

So today, following the advice of the bank rep, I walked into a local branch to order a new card. Well this was a new experience. First the rep verified my ID then accessed my accounts. I reported the card I used as missing and she asked how I wanted my name to appear on the new card. She pulled out a Magtek card reader, swiped her banksecurity card and logged in on her computer. She then detached the Magtek gizmo and had me punch in my new PIN. The PIN pad gizmo went back into the cradle and then she went into the back office. About 2 minutes later she came out and handed me my newly printed card! She said it will self-activate in 24 hours!!