Pulling my hair out!!!

mrposhman

I've been unhappy for a while with Natwest and decided to switch to Abbey (before I saw some of the concerns on here) mainly due to the rates of interest on their current accounts and their savings accounts.

My account was opened on 23rd July and I received my PIN and online banking pin within the next 2 days so all looks good here.

I didn't receive my switcher pack straightaway (and still haven't despite phoning up and asking for it to be resent) and still haven't received my card.

So I phoned them today, I went to a guy in the card services team who said he could cancel the last one and re-issue to which I asked "Wheres the original, don't you track it", he didn't know so I went to complaints, they told me they get them in externally and don't track them. I would expect any card sent internally (this was delivery to a branch) would be tracked, even more so if you are using an outside contractor who isn't within your control especially being as you need to tell your customers when they can collect their card. All they said is, "you will have to keep checking with the branch".

She couldn't cancel my card and issue me a new one so sent me back to card services, this was the 1st time I was sent to India. The guy said he could cancel my card but I would have to go to the branch to order my new one, I asked why I couldn't do it over the phone. He said because of account security to which I asked what level I hadn't passed, he said I had passed it all.

I then asked why he couldn't do it over the phone, he said theres another level of account security to which I asked what the question was to get to that level of security to which he said he couldn't tell me. I asked him why (check this one out) and he said it was because of account security.

So I couldn't order a new card because I hadn't been asked the question for that level of account security, so whats the question, sorry I can't tell you!!!

I can't believe I actually own shares in this mob.

Anyone got any advice for a bank who are actually EASY to transfer to.

Complaint letter going out tonight to Abbey as the whole episode seems like some sort of joke.

elj2287

Ouch, sounds like a right pain!!

I recently switched from HSBC (Who I was not happy with!) to Alliance & Leicester. This is my first and only switch over and it was very pain free. The forms and information was sent quickly and I had no problem with this.

Also, I believe they are giving away £100 when you switch to their premier account. Plus £50 if you refer a friend, I'll have to check if thats each though. Unless anyone can help out with my sketchy info.

Hope this helps :beer:

xxlaurissaxx

RBS and you get £100 for doing so. xx

nzseries1

elj2287 wrote: »

Plus £50 if you refer a friend, I'll have to check if thats each though.

It's £25 each.

elj2287

TY nzseries1!!

elj2287

Another thing...

On greasy palm they have a £25 cash back offer if you apply for the account online.

Thats a potential £150 for free! Mazin'

Sagaris

I switched form Abbey to A&L for the same resons as the OP a year ago - they handled everything brilliantly and I'd recommend them to anyone.
Until a few weeks ago, when I saw A&L are being taken over by Abbey! So I'm now on the lookout for another bank - nothing would ever persuade me to stay with that excuse for a bank. I was thinking of Nationwide, or possibly First Direct?

nzseries1

elj2287 wrote: »

Another thing...

On greasy palm they have a £25 cash back offer if you apply for the account online.

Thats a potential £150 for free! Mazin'

There was a discussion a while back as to whether or not you could actually get the £100 AND cashback. I don't remember the outcome (I think the discussion is still going), but you might like to take a look:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1038921

ldn-100

Was with NatWest, moved to Abbey and now with Lloyds TSB. I would rate LTSB as the best of the three, with Abbey the worst.