GRRRR! How can I get to talk to someone on the phone at A&L??

fimonkey

GRRRR, I want to close my e-saver and direct saver at A&L, but I cannot get through to a real person on t'other end of telephone. I dial 0844 8009000 and I get a list of options. No matter which options I choose I never get the option to speak to a bod. If I continue to hold, the dobot voices tells me 'goodbye' and hangs up on me, if I press loads fo random keys I get the same.

I can't get to an A&L branch without taking time off work.

Can anyone help please?

Thanks

Phirefly

Try www.saynoto0870.com and see if you fare any better using their geographical number. Good luck.

seatzie

I ended up using the "calling from outside the uk" number thats listed on the website a couple of times, one smart bloke did catch on I was within the UK but the lady I spoke to understood my frustration and helped me anyway

major pain in the a$$

nzseries1

I know what you mean, I just applied for an A+L credit card, and my gosh the phone automated menu was the most frustrating one i've ever come across. Five different menus I had to go through.

Oblivion

A&L has been a dysfunctional organisation for quite a long time, and now that Santander are acquiring it, the situation will become even worse, if that's possible.

Dave.

fimonkey

eatzie, Where is the call from outside number please? I cannot find it on their website at all.

Also, none of the say no to 0870 alternative numbers get me through to a person who can help either. I either get products and services or credit cards, adn they both maintain they cannot access savings.

They are well dodgy! That's why I'm closing my accuonts with the,=m. My advice would be to avoid at all costs!

melimel

I told the man I managed to get hold of last week their phones were an outrage and he agreed - said they were trying to do something about it.
However if I recall correctly after being given the menus I choose 1 for current accounts, then whatever the option is for other issues (3?) and then I think it gives you the otion of speaking to an advisor by pressing 9. At this point it seems you always have to wait forever but eventually someone comes along. HTH

bristol_pilot

Remove all but £1 of the money by online transfer first - if you try to close the account by telephone with a large balance they will tell you that someone has to call you back on your home number for 'security' - of course, no-one calls!

To close the account, dial 0800 0688638, press Option 2 then Option 2 again. You will be asked to enter a 12-digit customer number. Ignore this four times. It will then ask you to press Option 2 to be put through to the 'security team' - do this. Then you get to speak to a real bod who can do stuff for you like close accounts.

FiscalFanny

Oblivion wrote: »

A&L has been a dysfunctional organisation for quite a long time, and now that Santander are acquiring it, the situation will become even worse, if that's possible.

Dave.

My experience echoes this. Horrendous automated (premuim rate) system, inefficient staff who do not know facts, apalling customer service. Barge poles and all that.

Fanny (on A&L rant)

pauldreed

I went through all of this too.
Eventually out of frustration I went into a branch and registered a formal complaint.
The branch then sorted out my issues the same day, even ringing me back to confirm that I was happy with everything.
Their call centre is a disgrace..

Milarky

fimonkey wrote: »

GRRRR, I want to close my e-saver and direct saver at A&L, but I cannot get through to a real person on t'other end of telephone. I dial 0844 8009000 and I get a list of options. No matter which options I choose I never get the option to speak to a bod. If I continue to hold, the dobot voices tells me 'goodbye' and hangs up on me, if I press loads fo random keys I get the same.

I can't get to an A&L branch without taking time off work.

Can anyone help please?

Thanks

If you have an A&L current account you can go through the free 'credit card' line - which is 08000 688638. Press option '2' - good luck

BTW if you link to a A&L current account with the e saver then simply closing the A&L current account (at the end of the offer period etc) automatically results in the esaver being closed too...