ISA's / Alliance & Leicester /Direct ISA Issue 2

slocombe01

Hi,

Following on from Martin's tip about the best paid ISA, I have applied online via Alliance & Leicester's website for this. The ease of having got my account up and running was no problem at all however, when I recommended this to my parents to do the same a letter came through to say that due to high demands Alliance & Leicester were unable to process my parents application unless they were to take 2 proofs of ID's to there nearest branch. Upon doing so the attitude of one of the Alliance & Leicester's staff member was totally unprofessional. Whiles my parents were stood waiting to seek advice the staff member was on the telephone discussing his person life with the other person on the other side of the phone.
As you can imagine there's nothing more frustrating than waiting for someone to speak to you. Both my parents are retired folks and upon hearing the great deal from Alliance & Leicester's ISA they wanted to deposit part of £100,000 in to Alliance & Leicester's branch.

Is this a ploy to discurage new customers or what.?

You can confirm the online message of Alliance & Leicester's ISA page about high demand volumes.

slocombe01

YorkshireBoy

slocombe01 wrote:

Is this a ploy to discurage new customers or what.?

No, it's quite the opposite in fact. They're actually doing your parents a favour because A&L are worried that, due to postal delays, they'll not be able to get the account set up before the end of the tax year.

You can confirm the online message of Alliance & Leicester's ISA page about high demand volumes.

Is this the message you are referring to...?

"We are no longer able to guarantee that you can open and fund your Direct ISA before the end of this tax year using our online application. You will need to go to your nearest Alliance & Leicester branch where you will be able to open and fund your Direct ISA immediately."

DonkeyKong77

Went into A&L branch this afternoon and it was simple and quick enough - i asked about the cheque clearing in time (as i bank with a differnt bank) but they say it shouldn't be a problem, as they take it as the date of application, rather than the clearing monies date.

JCL

They are simply trying to ensure that ISA can be opened before tax year end and allow your parents (who I assume will be getting one each) to maximise the use of their ISA allowances.

The customer service assistant doesn't sound helpful but they could always take that up with the branch manager.

Horasio

I have a normal online savings account with A&L and set up an isa last Monday, they said I had time.

I get my details Wednesday and when I try to transfer, it says it won't go out till the 6th - too late!!!!

I ring up and they say it takes 8 days to set up

I feel mislead and we will have to do a mad cash dash on Monday to get my money in on time.

My husband has set up an isa and still hasn't got his details to transfer online

Alliance and Leicester stink and I will take my money out asap when I find a better interest rate

JCL

CCStar wrote:

I get my details Wednesday and when I try to transfer, it says it won't go out till the 6th - too late!!!!

Is this a transfer of another ISA into your new one? If so, my understanding is that doesn't affect your allowance.

You did leave it a bit late though going to the last couple of weeks. Not as if the tax year end is a surprise date.