📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Tesco Internet Saver applications closed at 9pm!

Posting here for general information ...

Although I know I was foolish to leave this to the last minute and have no one to blame but but myself, I thought it was poor form by Tesco to not make it clear that applications for their accounts close at 9pm each day for technical reasons. I tried to apply for the good rate account last night and couldn't due to the system being "currently unavailable". I've missed out on the good rate now.

I've sent the following to their press office in the vague hope that in the future they might be a bit more transparent:
I am emailing this to the Press Office as I cannot find another email address and your Customer Service telephone number is not open to make a complaint. I also consider this matter one that reflects badly on the public perception of the Tesco Personal Finance brand.

Your website for the Internet Saver account (www.tescofinance.com/personal/finance/savings/savingsaccounts/internetsaver/apply.jsp) currently states that you are currently experiencing high demand, but still provides an active link to make an application to open an account - as per the first attached screenshot. However upon trying this link, I am advised that applications are "currently unavailable" and to "try again later" - second attached screenshot.

The technical support telephone service advised me just now that applications are not available after 9pm because that is when the link to the credit reference agency system closes for the day (it is surprising that in this day and age such links are not 24 hour). The key issue though is that your website does not state applications are only available for a limited time during the day - the clear impression from the working link on the website is that applications can be made at any time. I have therefore not been able to take the opportunity to open an Internet Saver account today before the interest rate drops. It was not clear that the deadline for applications was any earlier than 9pm and I consider this exceptionally misleading. If I had known the deadline I would have rearranged my day to make the application before 9pm.

Although I have no expectation that this complaint will prompt you to allow me to open an account eligible for the current advertised bonus rate, I would hope that it will prompt you to make your website opening hours clear and for Tesco Personal Finance to operate in a more transparent manner in the future.

I can be contacted on ...

I would be surprised if I hear anything back!

Simon

Comments

  • Can you not open one today? Whether you opened before or after the cut the account is a variable rate account, so you will suffer from any cuts regardless? Or is the account now closed for new applications.
  • spikeyman
    spikeyman Posts: 33 Forumite
    SimonFitz wrote: »
    Posting here for general information ...

    Although I know I was foolish to leave this to the last minute and have no one to blame but but myself, I thought it was poor form by Tesco to not make it clear that applications for their accounts close at 9pm each day for technical reasons. I tried to apply for the good rate account last night and couldn't due to the system being "currently unavailable". I've missed out on the good rate now.

    I've sent the following to their press office in the vague hope that in the future they might be a bit more transparent:



    I would be surprised if I hear anything back!

    Simon

    :mad: I actually opened an account on the 12th December but so far I cannot access my money! They sent me a letter saying the account was opened, when I called to see ho wot access the site they told me I need ot be sent a security code, a week later using that code I can log in but guess what, I cannot move any money until I have a card reader which I have to apply for, who knows how long that will take.

    I have now written to them again with a formal complaint as I wrote to them on the 19th December telling them to close the account. I have heard nothing so far and will be making a formal complaint to the banking ombudsman very soon in an attempt to get my moeny back. I am just so glad my wife did not proceed to open an account with a substatial deposit.

    My opinion, stay well away from Tesc Personal Finance, they are rubbish and keep you on hold forever, a ploy I think to keep hold of your fund for them to purchase groceries for the stores!! :mad:
    Makes the world go around eh...
  • Ok, ignore my original post, I realise the 1.5% bonus is no longer available on new accounts.
  • omelette451
    omelette451 Posts: 1,900 Forumite
    Why is a credit check needed to open a savings account anyway? And does opening a savings account such as this have an impact on your credit score?
  • poppy_f1
    poppy_f1 Posts: 2,637 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Why is a credit check needed to open a savings account anyway? And does opening a savings account such as this have an impact on your credit score?

    its probably just a identity check
  • LGG_2
    LGG_2 Posts: 489 Forumite
    I actually opened an account on the 12th December but so far I cannot access my money! They sent me a letter saying the account was opened, when I called to see ho wot access the site they told me I need ot be sent a security code, a week later using that code I can log in but guess what, I cannot move any money until I have a card reader which I have to apply for, who knows how long that will take.
    yeap this is the joy of opening a tesco account theres a very long thread about tesco on here. thats why i just decided to open my account with £10 it took around 3 weeks b4 i could even see my account online but now im waiting for a card reader so im delaying putting all of my money into that account until it comes. i guess its pretty much a scam interms of giving u a high intrest rate because unless u are prepaired to put all you money in as the deposit and dont mind not being able to access it for a good month or 2 then u are going to be losing at least a month or so of intrest.which beats the point of it being a good intrest rate in the first place
  • spikeyman wrote: »
    :mad: I actually opened an account on the 12th December but so far I cannot access my money! They sent me a letter saying the account was opened, when I called to see ho wot access the site they told me I need ot be sent a security code, a week later using that code I can log in but guess what, I cannot move any money until I have a card reader which I have to apply for, who knows how long that will take.

    I have now written to them again with a formal complaint as I wrote to them on the 19th December telling them to close the account. I have heard nothing so far and will be making a formal complaint to the banking ombudsman very soon in an attempt to get my moeny back. I am just so glad my wife did not proceed to open an account with a substatial deposit.

    My opinion, stay well away from Tesc Personal Finance, they are rubbish and keep you on hold forever, a ploy I think to keep hold of your fund for them to purchase groceries for the stores!! :mad:

    You opened an account on 12-Dec and closed it on 19-Dec.

    I think TESCO will be glad they don't have you as a customer.

    What access did you need days after opening the account ? Or do you just like to see the numbers.

    Don't waste the Ombudsmans time. He has much better things to be doing I am sure.
    Mortgage free
    Vocational freedom has arrived
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.8K Spending & Discounts
  • 244.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 599.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.1K Life & Family
  • 257.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.