Nationwide account

AliceBanned

Hi

Just had a frustrating experience with N/W and wonder whether to take my current account elsewhere. Been paying in decent salary to my Flex account for 18 months, and have cash card only. When I opened the account i was told that if I kept it in good order I could upgrade it - although of course this was not guaranteed. I had to go in to my branch today to ask to upgrade it (told they won't do it online or over the phone). I was refused due to CCJ five years ago (this was stated to me at the counter rather than in private which I think is very insensitive of them). I told them yes I have that CCJ (paid off) but that I was not asking for credit. I was told a debit card "would allow me to go in shops and spend" - the conversation took a downward spiral at this point - I feel they treated me like a criminal and I told them it was not a way to speak to someone who had paid their salary in every month, and coudn't they look at it manually as yes I had credit problems in the past and could do no more than my best in the present Ie pay off debts and pay in salary etc. What the hell do they want just for a measly debit card?!

On principle I will probably look elsewhere but not sure whether it is worth all the fuss, they obviously don't give a toss about their customers. Might go to the Financial Ombudsman about the way they have treated me ie not changed their attitude despite my obvious lack of present financial problems and despite waiting 18 months to be able to spend my own money in a more convenient way.they are ignorant idiots for letting good customers go, but then the banks don't care as they know the competition will be an equal brick wall to criminals like me who once upon a time centuries ago had to learn about money the hard way and came out ok, although never to be so lucky as them ie forgiven for their greed and lies:mad:

They've annoyed me just a bit, Nationwide!!

7sefton

Nationwide are very, very strange when dealing with VISA card upgrades.

I opened a Flex account with a cash card and cheque book back in the day when I was 16, never used it very much as I opened it for a £10 bonus payment.

When I turned 18 my other current account with Halifax was upgraded with no problems at all, and I was given £1000 overdraft. But as I was going travelling and could do with commission-free use abroad, I went back to NW expecting an upgrade without any problems.

The woman on the desk was very patronising, saying that they were a 'responsible lender' and were concerned how a young person would use the card and therefore couldn't offer me an upgrade. I told her how silly this was, as I had over £10k in ISAs and a fully-functioning current account at Halifax. She went away and returned after 5 mins saying she had been able to upgrade my Flex account after all, and advised me to apply online for an overdraft to match my Halifax one.

I then spent 6 months trying to match my £1k overdraft and dealing with similarly patronising people in the Nationwide call centre... eventually I got £500 after asking for it in £50 stages.

I appreciate if they are cautious about overdrafts, but really don't understand their problem with giving VISA cards out. I think their staff attitude in this area is fairly widespread, and they seem to think their current account is very exclusive.

John_0771

You know what would solve this; if they were to give Visa Electrons out instead, as you cant go overdrawn on them