Captain Colonial Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 SWMBO gets a short sharp impolite letter this morning from Santander addressed to "Dear Customer", telling her they're withdrawing her overdraft facility because - wait for it - she hasn't used it! what the devil? We have our mortgage there, two ISAs, my account, a joint account and a savings account, and you're withdrawing a poxy £1k overdraft facility because she hasn't used it? Bang on to the phone to call centre in Liverpool (insert you own joke here). After usual nonsense of automated system, thick girl comes on the phone who can't help of course, so we say fine, we'll go into the branch and talk to the manager, put us through (remember when you could call your bank direct?). I then had to explain to her how to spell Leamington (OK, I accept that), but also how to spell Warwickshire. She explains she's never heard of Leamington, Warwick, Warwickshire, Stratford-on-Avon or even Coventry! SWMBO, complete with her walking stick and neck brace, then makes the trip and goes into the branch, has chat with helpful woman, but they can't help either, it has to be appealed to the trust that oversees everything! For a poxy £1k overdraft! Bear in mind that she pays a £10 a month for this account that supposed to include an interest-free overdraft facility (and lots of other stuff as well). So if you use this interest-free overdraft facility and go into the red borrowing money from Santander at 0% interest, that's OK. If however you stay in the black, and get paid an appalling rate of interest while they make interest from your money, you're persona non gratis. Lesson: Stay away from Santander. /rant over Anyone suggest a good bank to switch a current to, and who to stay away from please? I have several accounts and investments to shift. Quote
Tom Frankland (T3OMF) Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 I have just open a Santander account as they are going to pay me £200 in 14 weeks, been with them about a month and nothing wrong yet....... Plus I have a direct line number to the woman who set it all up....!!!(and it works) I was with Lloyds for about 15 years before, if that helps Quote
Captain Colonial Posted October 19, 2011 Author Posted October 19, 2011 Until today, Santander have been just fine to be fair, never a problem and I get my money when I want without drama, what more can you ask? But to get sent a rude impersonal letter punishing her for being a good customer is ridiculous. I can see the CEO getting an email soon. Quote
bobsy Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 When I have to phone a call centre, if I get someone's who's pretty thick I hang up and ring back. Very frustrating, but sometimes nesessary. I have no overdraft facilities with any banks, as they do tend to take them away if you don't use them. I do understand how you feel though, I don't like it if something taken for what seems to be no reason, even if I didn't want or need it. Barclay card is incredibly bad if you get a problem, probably the worst service I've ever had with anything, possible exception of Onyx waste maybe. Quote
waggledance Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Have a look at FirstDirect, on line banking. Based in leeds andan all English call centre and you can call them on christmas day if ya want. Pay in and draw out at HSBC, 10 years and all good so far. Quote
bobsy Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Slightly off the point, but I love that green waggledance, what colour is it if you don't mind me asking ?? Quote
langy Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Have a look at FirstDirect, on line banking. Based in leeds andan all English call centre and you can call them on christmas day if ya want. Pay in and draw out at HSBC, 10 years and all good so far. Likewise Quote
Bananaman Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Recon there all much of a muchness, sometimes better the devil you know??? Quote
Vinny's Westie Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Bank with Natwest/RBS and they are terrible. 4 Times they have forgotten to credit our account with the payment (approx £40k), after the final complaint I am told the manager will send me something for my inconvenience. Letter arrives special/recorded delivery and it tells me that I have won a prize for my actions of a free meal for two. What a bunch of muppets that the letter looks like a staff promotion and makes me feel even worse, think I will end up sending it back with a covering letter. Total rubbish service Quote
housebeautician Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 SWMBO gets a short sharp impolite letter this morning from Santander addressed to "Dear Customer", telling her they're withdrawing her overdraft facility because - wait for it - she hasn't used it! what the devil? We have our mortgage there, two ISAs, my account, a joint account and a savings account, and you're withdrawing a poxy £1k overdraft facility because she hasn't used it? Just got the same letter from my lot. I've had this facility for over twenty years with them. What makes me laugh is they reckon that it has to be managed What crap . I must remember they are doing me a favour looking after my money, and i must be grateful that i'm not getting any interest on my current account any more W*****s............... Quote
dombanks Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 i think the term is "what a corporate banker" ... im with hsbc and they are ok no real hastles worth speaking of but nothing to write home about either. i pay for mybank account as it gave me decent interest on a loan and the stuff included made it worth while this year. might dip into my overdraft tho as ive not used it for a while and i want to keep it. Quote
SootySport Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Bank with Natwest/RBS and they are terrible. 4 Times they have forgotten to credit our account with the payment (approx £40k), after the final complaint I am told the manager will send me something for my inconvenience. Letter arrives special/recorded delivery and it tells me that I have won a prize for my actions of a free meal for two. What a bunch of muppets that the letter looks like a staff promotion and makes me feel even worse, think I will end up sending it back with a covering letter. Total rubbish service A free meal for two------McDonalds or KFC? Quote
Carl Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 In the Press Barclays get a lot of stick but I've been with them a long time and there're OK. I pay £10 / month for the "Premier" (free overdraft and a raft of other useless stuff). But I also get a number which goes straight through to a UK call centre and have always been able to help. Quote
tabs23 Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 QUOTE When I have to phone a call centre, if I get someone's who's pretty thick I hang up and ring back. Very frustrating, but sometimes nesessary. Don't forget that the person you do that to gets a big tick for finishing their call quickly, while the agent who takes time to actually sort your problem out makes their average worse. So if we all did that we'd probably end up with call centres full of just thick people, and we'd never get any decent response. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.