First Direct Service Guarantee - £100 for closing your account

nzseries1

fishofgold wrote: »

c) Literature received from First Direct was full of typo's & grammatical errors!

When there is more than one typo, it is typos with no apostrophe... an apostrophe indicates possession

puddings_2

If you dont get your £100 on closure and you think that you qualify, then dont bother phoning them about it, the people who answer the phone dont deal with it. Instead of wasting your time waiting for return phone calls - which never happen, simply write to them: setting out why you were dissatisfied with the service and confirming that you paid the £1500 per month in etc.

This morning I received a reply from 1stD agreeing that i HAD met all the terms of the service agreement and would (at last) get my second £100. HOORAY!

puddings_2

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

I think they're fab.

You didn't meet the terms which clearly stated that £1500 salary payment had to go in each month - normal BACS transfers don't count under normal circumstances. A salary BACS payment is identified in a particular way.

I transferred £1501 pm into the account using a normal BACS transfer.
I didnt receive the opening £100 because of it, until I argued that I was self employed and therefore could pay myself whatever I wanted. They agreed and gave it me.
I ran it for 7 months before closing, just to be on the safe side.

And tinkerbell, I agree with you, 1stD is good. I never intended to use it as a proper account I only did it for the cash bonus. Apart from the pain of depositing cash, their service was excellent.

For people depositing cash I'd recommend Alliance & Leicester or any other bank that you can pay into conveniently at your local post office.

tinkerbell84

puddings wrote: »

And tinkerbell, I agree with you, 1stD is good. I never intended to use it as a proper account I only did it for the cash bonus. Apart from the pain of depositing cash, their service was excellent.

For people depositing cash I'd recommend Alliance & Leicester or any other bank that you can pay into conveniently at your local post office.

I have 3 branches of HSBC closer to me than my nearest post office

No problems paying in for me

CopperPlate_2

I have to say that it's no wonder first direct are making life difficult for those who open the account to claim the first £100 and then within a year are coming back to them with painfully weak excuses for leaving, only to then be disappointed when the bank says they're not getting the 'leaving' payment. How many accounts have been opened and then closed in this way, do you think? Why are first direct (and RBS, etc) running these promotions? Is it simply to have the pleasure of opening new accounts, increasing their customer base for a few months, to then close the account because of some perceived disadvantage by the 'customer'? Oh, and pay £200 to them for the pleasure? I appreciate they have a service guarantee which is there for a reason - some might argue that it's there to be abused; if so, you can't expect the bank to take the abuse of it lying down.

Having been a customer of fd for a few years, I'd never move to another bank: they may not be perfect, but when compared to the rest, they are head and shoulders above them.

NumbersGuy_2

I phoned up to cancel my account, ensuring 7 salary payments and 6 months had passed. The agent asked me why and I said I didn't think the internet banking system was as good as some other banks. He told me he would transfer me to the "account closing team". I was held on the line for quite some time and he twice came back and told me I should be through soon. Seemed to me they do this hoping you'll give up and put the phone down.

I got through to a new agent and she was polite going though my direct debits and asking what I wanted to do with them (transfer myself or have the details given to my new bank). Just as we got to the closing part she asked where to transfer the balance to, I asked if it will include the £100 service guarantee. She said it was a good job I asked as unless you request it before closing, you don't get it. Then things seemed to change tack a bit and she said another team would close my account within 2-3 days and call if there was any problem. It actually took about a week, during which time I sent a secure message to remind them, but it did finally include the £100 credit.

Stang

I must also say that out of all the banks I have had current accounts with First Direct been by far the best for customer service and ease of use. Their internet banking is so easy to use and it even works on my iphone.

teaspoon1

CopperPlate wrote: »

I have to say that it's no wonder first direct are making life difficult for those who open the account to claim the first £100 and then within a year are coming back to them with painfully weak excuses for leaving, only to then be disappointed when the bank says they're not getting the 'leaving' payment. How many accounts have been opened and then closed in this way, do you think? Why are first direct (and RBS, etc) running these promotions? Is it simply to have the pleasure of opening new accounts, increasing their customer base for a few months, to then close the account because of some perceived disadvantage by the 'customer'? Oh, and pay £200 to them for the pleasure? I appreciate they have a service guarantee which is there for a reason - some might argue that it's there to be abused; if so, you can't expect the bank to take the abuse of it lying down.

Having been a customer of fd for a few years, I'd never move to another bank: they may not be perfect, but when compared to the rest, they are head and shoulders above them.

Good for you.

Me? I only opened the a/c to get the £200. I never closed my main a/c or moved my DDs. I've already had my £100 opening incentive and will not hesitate to close the a/c after 7 months and claim my other £100.

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Horace

CopperPlate wrote: »

Having been a customer of fd for a few years, I'd never move to another bank: they may not be perfect, but when compared to the rest, they are head and shoulders above them.

I agree, I think that FD are fab, far better than The Halifax or HBOS as it prefers to call itself or even Lloyds TSB or Barclays or Natwest. Their internet banking is the easiest that I have used and their customer service is second to none. Beats me why people would want to leave them unless they are just plain greedy and are so desperate for £200:rolleyes:

teaspoon1

Horace wrote: »

I agree, I think that FD are fab, far better than The Halifax or HBOS as it prefers to call itself or even Lloyds TSB or Barclays or Natwest. Their internet banking is the easiest that I have used and their customer service is second to none. Beats me why people would want to leave them unless they are just plain greedy and are so desperate for £200:rolleyes:

That would be me then. This is MSE after all!!!

Anyone else plain greedy and desperate for £200....?

TBH, I already have a main bank a/c which I am very happy with. This is just a very easy way to make £200. Simple as.