Halifax Visa Electron annoying new T&C's

JCR1987

Has anyone else come across Halifax's new terms and conditions regarding their Visa Electron accounts?

I went into the city centre branch in Coventry the other day to pay some cash in over the counter and after queuing up for 20 minutes on my lunch break I was helpfully informed that customers with 'this type of account' are no longer able to pay cash in over the counter. Instead we now have to pay money into a 'drop box' and fill in our own deposit slips!!! This money will then be credited later on that day. Ludicrous.

Just because I have a non-credit facility account does this make me a less important customer?

I liked my Halifax account up until this point. A cheque book, Visa electron card that was accepted almost everywhere and a decent internet banking system. Now though, I feel as if it is my obligation not to use this account and have my wages paid into another account, and transfer all my direct debits along with it.

I guess by me queing up to pay money into my basic account (which makes Halifax little or no profit in terms of interest or charges) this must get in the way of the 'valued' customers who have overdrafts, credit cards, etc and who incur late payment fees or whatever else charges thereby rendering them more important as they are potentially more profitable.

That's my tuppence worth.

Lorian

In my experience the "drop box" is much quicker than waiting in the queue. I expecially like the cheque deposit box. I have helped my self to a few spare envelopes, so I can pre-fill them in and drop-off cheques in a few seconds.

Mikeyorks

Don't take it so personally!;)

It's the general way Halifax are moving in order to reduce queues / Branch staffing (?). They have to make a start somewhere - and your style of account happens to be first. Went into a Branch 6 months ago (first time in years) - and they were publicising it then

JCR1987

I appreciate your points, and I completely understand the 'need for speed'. I'm all for streamlining the whole banking process, indeed if I could transfer money from one account online to another instantly then I wouldn't have a problem. Obviously modern technology and banking practices don't allow this just yet so there is the occasional need to go in and pay some cash in over the counter.

What I'm basically griping about is the fact that I can no longer go in, give my money to someone over the counter and see that money credited to my account as soon as I go outside and check the balance at the cashpoint. I now have to rely on someone processing all the deposits in the drop box, every couple of hours or so, possibly longer, and having faith that they can read my crappy left-handed scrawl. And where does it stop, will I have to start paying to deposit my own money, or to withdraw it?

I don't generally moan about much, this minor change has just peed me off I suppose, that and the fact that they wouldn't upgrade my account when I expressed my disappointment in their new t&c's.

clairus99

No wonder you're peed off - why should you get different treatment? It's demeaning!

I'd say, "vote with your feet!", but I've noticed that it's becoming a trend, a little biteback because banks don't like providing these accounts, they're useless to them. Not much chance of making money out of you, you see.

I'm in the same boat. I think I'll start up my own bank.... hmm, bad idea!

BTW I'd love to know where, apart from HMV and the supermarket, they take Electron. I think it's useless. I only really use my debit card for grocery shopping and paying bills over the phone and online. No-one takes it. Useless piece of crap.

JCR1987

Like you, I agree with the principle of voting with my feet, however seeing as I'm not in the strongest financial position and clearly not a valued customer of Halifax, I really don't think they'd care. That's certainly the impression I got from the person who 'attempted' to upgrade my account anyhow.

As for the Electron card, I have to say I've rarely had a problem with it. It's certainly better since it switched from Solo to Visa Electron, you can now blag some payments as normal Visa card payments and they will go through. The only website that really annoys me is the trains website, so annoying having to pay the extra £1.50 for a c/c payment or go to the station and buy them rather than having tickets posted out for no charge with a debit card payment. As for proper high street shops, the only place I know of that doesn't take Electron is Debenhams.

Sillychuckie

I'd never trust cash to a drop box...
no proof you put it there, no proof it was there (when a cashier decides to be naughty - which happens of course).
Unless they have people doing it in pairs or something, no sodding way would I put money in a letterbox like that... cheques maybe, but not cash.

Vote with your feet. Plenty of other banks that would love to have you.

JCR1987

I'm of the same opinion as you Sillychuckie. I never trusted banks in the first place, never mind one where I have to stick my hard earned cash into a little box with a little padlock on. Amateurish and insecure.

Have applied to Natwest for their Step account, would have gone with Co-Op but they don't have online application facility. Not overly keen on the Natwest Solo card though.

Speculator

What if someone robs a halifax branch and steals the money from the drop box? There's no proof that you've paid cash into the box.

I would never put cash into a drop box, no way!

clairus99

JCR, I've with NatWest at the moment and unfortunately they seem to have the most flexible and friendly account. The Solo is fine, can use it anywhere, no problems - it's not embarrassing either.

Might have a play with the Electron one making telephone/internet payments then and see how I go.

clairus99

BTW I just noticed I've accidentally started to hijack your post. Sorry! Was unintentional!