Are A&L really that bad?

Sportbilly_2

I decided to ditch my current RBS Royalties account, as I seem to be paying £6.95 a month for pretty much nothing and went for the A&L Direct current account, mainly for the free overdraft for 12 months, and the £100 cashback.

From reading on here, it seems that they're absolutely awful, and I'm wondering if I'm making a big mistake. The only crucial standing order I have is to our joint account- bills, mortgage etc are paid out of that, and it has to go in by the 1st of the month (I'm paid on the 28th). So it's hopefully unlikely that they'll completely balls things up.

Am I experiencing that well known internet phenomenon where people who are satisified with a product don't tend to post, so you only see complaints, or are they as bad as it seems?

ray123

You can also sign up through quidco for 50 pounds cashback.
I banked with them for a while, but closed my account as i refused the 100 and also the overdraft (this is subject to a credit check).
I would say go ahead and open the account, but make sure you follow the terms and conditions v closely. For example, the whole process needs to be completed online, and dd's, standing orders need to be transferred to a and l.
The automatic transfer system should not be too much of a problem.
First Direct are also offering 100 pound to open an account, so it might be worth considering rather than a and l?
http://www.firstdirect.com/

Sportbilly_2

Yeah, I did sign up through Quidco, although it doesn't seem to have tracked yet.

We're going to transfer our joint account to First Direct, again from RBS, and you can only claim the once for that cashback. I was going to move my personal account to FD, but I've just signed up to buy childcare vouchers, so my salary would end up being just below the £1500 they require you to pay in.

What I might do, is get the A&L one set-up, then have my salary paid into the switched joint FD account and do a standing order from there into the A&L account instead. That should avoid any problems, hopefully.

Natti_A

I have to say I have had no problems with A&L. I moved bout 4 SO's in August, took a while but they did get it all done. Got both the £100, and the £50 (i did have to chase up on Quidco for the £50, and the £20 they were also doing for the esaver account)

I did initially get refused the overdraft, but i had just graduated at the time, having not yet started fulltime employment! What could i expect? After 6 months they gave me the overdraft without any problems.

The only thing i can fault is their phone banking which is a complete faff! . But thats just me from the sounds of the problems others have had with A&L!!

neilp

I've been with A&L for about 18 months now with no problem at all. At various points in the past I've banked with NatWest, Barclays, Nationwide and Smile. In my experience A&L compares favourably with all of these.

Sportbilly_2

Thanks for those posts. I'm feeling a little more reassured (at least until someone else posts a horror story...).

Natti_A- you mentioned it took a while to set the account up, how long was it in your case? I applied last week and got an email straight away. I haven't had a welcome letter as yet, but yesterday I received my checkbook and a PIN number for the Visa debit card. If it can all be done before the end of the month, I could avoid paying another £6.95 for next month's Royalties sub. I've never changed my current account before, so I've no idea how long it takes.

MX5huggy

Been happy with a A & L for nearly 4 years now got the account just before my wedding so we had a joint account for collecting money and paying wedding bills and then cashing gifts! But also for the free travel insurance which was worldwide at the time only europe now! It's our main account now and great, never ring them why would I the branch is about 20 meters from my house!

chambta

Sportbilly wrote: »

Thanks for those posts. I'm feeling a little more reassured (at least until someone else posts a horror story...).

Natti_A- you mentioned it took a while to set the account up, how long was it in your case? I applied last week and got an email straight away. I haven't had a welcome letter as yet, but yesterday I received my checkbook and a PIN number for the Visa debit card. If it can all be done before the end of the month, I could avoid paying another £6.95 for next month's Royalties sub. I've never changed my current account before, so I've no idea how long it takes.

You can downgrade the account at any time.

Natti_A

Sorry i should explain better. The account was actually usable within about 2-3 weeks, but the whole "switching" thing took time. In total i think it took them about 4-5 weeks to get me all the paperwork and to confirm my DD's and SO's with my previous bank.

It then only took about 3 weeks to get them transfered onto my account. Because i had funded the account from day 1 tho, i got the £100 much sooner than i expected, i initially thought it was from when the DD's were switched (end of Sept for me) but it was from when i paid money in August!

Patrick20

The people who usually complain about companies are people who percieve the company as a friendly helpful service. If you take the viewpoint that all companies are trying to screw you over, then no matter what is thrown at you, you can deal with it. I have an ISA with them and although a bit slow they have never screwed with me. I once had a burtons card with GE money and they tried to screw me over for a supposed unpaid bill. I stuck to my guns (and hulked up :P) and they promptly dropped their stupid claims. Dont worry about the company just lear how to deal with them and youll be fine. Learn how to write a Compaint and all will be fine.

jimmyjim_uk

I've been with A&L for 2 years and had no issues with them to date *touches wood*.

My only gripe is with the internet banking and the three different balances that are displayed on the statement page (they don't always tie up!)