Alliance & Leicester ISA - don't do it!

EagerLearner

Apologies to everyone but I must rant!

I applied for an A&L ISA 2 online on 19th March 2006. I went to the branch one week after applying as I'd received a letter asking me to provide ID, I did this immediately in branch and they sent paperwork to head office.

I called in early April as had heard nothing, they said paperwork had been received. I then got another letter mid-April requesting ID, as my council tax bill had an admin error showing 'Miss' rather than 'Mrs' - the rest was all the same! I called and was quite annoyed, saying that it's clear that the person is me, same address, same postcode and that most lenders ignore the title, so why shouldn't A& L - especially - considering this is a simple savings account and that I'm not asking to borrow anything.

I agreed to go into the branch the next day and copied extra bills and had them authenticated again in branch, then posted them back in the A&L envelope.

I called again on 4th May as had heard nothing - the person was quite rude and implied that if I hadn't provided all info, the account would obviously not be opened. I told him I had posted it in their own envelope, he only said I'd have to go to the branch again for a third time with more documents so I closed the account then and there. This after 7 weeks of aggro! :mad:

I applied yesterday for a Bradford & Bingley ISA - the application process was 10 times easier than A&L!!!! :T B&B replied immediately and I also got a personal phone call. My pack is in the post.

The aggro with A&L was not worth it and I wouldn't consider them for a bank account now, customer service is not their string point, nor is admin!

EagerLearner

savingforoz

Thanks, Eagerlearner, hope you feel better now you've got that off your chest! I have been considering transferring my ISA to A & L, but don't hear good things generally about them, unlike Bradford and Bingley. So thanks for useful post.

Horasio

You're not the only ones who feel disgruntled at A&L

Stick to B&B - they have the best rate just now

meanmachine_2

Well, everything is now up and running on my A&L ISA.

But it took 3 WEEKS for them to clear the three grand I wanted to transfer, and for 10 days that money disappeared from one account before it reappeared in the A&L account.

They really do take the mickey.

Still, they're about to be bought up by the Abbey, so we'll see what impact that has.

emphatiC_hanK

I think you may find that these 'difficulties' are as a result of money laundering legislation.

As a result it's quite understandable, although obviously frustrating from your point of view, that companies are becoming more stringent in this regard.

codetown

A&L customer service is one of the worst around.
Either they are totally incapable or they just cannot care.

Their products are interesting at times, but certainly not a trustworthy organisation to deal with. I had my share of problems with them and now avoid to do anything other than very basic staff online with them (things not requiring human intervention!).

In any case, for those who applied in jan-march, their ISA is still the best around. As for the transfer, to me it was all done in 3 days (and only one day of interest loss from Nationwide to A&L).

EagerLearner

Thanks all, it was a very frustrating process and hopefully B&B will prove better.

Emphatic Hank - I understand they have to abide by rules, but they're worse than most companies I've dealt with recently. Surely 'Miss' on my council tax bill is not that big a deal and not worth A&L considering me a money launderer? Experian themselves told me that most companies ignore the title because so many companies make admin mistakes. A&L had all my other info on several bills (where it showed 'Mrs') but were too fussy over the 'Miss' and so have lost my business. I am all for being helpful re money laundering, but 7 weeks takes the mickey...

EagerLearner

Sillychuckie

Well, I had absolutely no problems getting my ISA, although, I was an existing customer. I applied online, had an acceptance email within 5 minutes and this even included my isa number, sortcode/account number to fill it with funds.
I did this immediately, and it took a further 2 days to appear on my online banking. The 3k I shoved in was already there. Very speedy!

As for transfers, my previous years ISA funds left my abbey ISA about 2 days ago. The funds have not yet reached my A&L account, but I'll give it another week before calling them.
Their customer support in all issues (not that I have had many) has been fine on the most part. All I am saying is that for each customer that has a problem, many do not. Clearly you are more likely to hear from those that do have problems, but don't let it put you off banking with A&L. Their great rates (into rates, not really available anymore due to removed bonuses) more than make up for any minor nags - and they must have had a heck of a load of applications for ISA's over the tax year, being the highest rate provider at the time.

And no, before you ask... I don't work for them.

Lois_Lane

Like Sillychuckie, I'm an existing current account holder with Alliance & Leicester, and I didn't have any problem setting up my ISA. However, I was rather disgruntled to discover that it isn't possible to set up a standing order to make regular transfers into the account!

I also have a current account with First Direct and have had for over 10 years, and if there was a league table for banks, they would be at the top of the premiership and A&L would be in division 3. If A&L's interest rates weren't so good the account would have been closed long ago.

masonic

Lois_Lane wrote:

Like Sillychuckie, I'm an existing current account holder with Alliance & Leicester, and I didn't have any problem setting up my ISA. However, I was rather disgruntled to discover that it isn't possible to set up a standing order to make regular transfers into the account!

Can you not set up a regular standing order to pay into the account via their holding account (see BACS payment section here)? It obviously wouldn't be processed as an instant transfer this way, but it might be worth looking into.

MarkyMarkD

You can set up a transfer from an A&L current account to another A&L account (e.g. Direct ISA) as a future dated transfer, up to a year ahead.

So you can set up 12 monthly payments at a time, if you so wish.

I know it's more pain than a standing order, but not that much more.