Sick to death of interest chasing with same banks

bjorn_again

I recently closed an online account with ING earning 0.6%, and opened a new account with them earning 3 point something. The whole process took four days and went like clockwork.

Hungerdunger

zaksmum wrote: »

I had to make an appointment for a week ahead, put up with the financial adviser I stressed I didn't want to see arriving half an hour late, then be hassled about "investments" I didn't want.

Finally had to close one account and open another with masses of form filling...they even asked how much a month I spend on food!!

Quite honestly, with service like that I'd have voted with my feet and gone elsewhere, having first made Halifax aware of exactly why I was doing it.

noh

zaksmum wrote: »

I think you owe it to yourself to get the best possible interest rate on your savings.

It's a total pain having to open and close accounts, but sadly necessary or we're getting ripped off.

I had an account with Halifax which I opened 18 months ago paying 6% and when the interest dropped to something like 0.001% I opted to move it to Halifax's 2.6% easy access account. Simple enough, you'd think. But no, I had to make an appointment for a week ahead, put up with the financial adviser I stressed I didn't want to see arriving half an hour late, then be hassled about "investments" I didn't want.

Finally had to close one account and open another with masses of form filling...they even asked how much a month I spend on food!!

No wonder we're all sick to death of it all.

If you open the accounts online you don't get all that hassle.

nilrem_2

noh wrote: »

If you open the accounts online you don't get all that hassle.

Agreed, however it depends who you are opening the online account with, I have opened online accounts almost instantly all the ID checks seemingly done in the background and without any intervention from myself yet with other institutions I have input loads of personal data then been told to send all sorts of ID and other documents in the post in fact in some instances I have found it easier opening an account in a branch!

nilrem_2

zaksmum wrote: »

I opted to move it to Halifax's 2.6% easy access account. Simple enough, you'd think. But no, I had to make an appointment for a week ahead, put up with the financial adviser I stressed I didn't want to see arriving half an hour late, then be hassled about "investments" I didn't want.

That really annoys me TBH, you make your mind up about what you want to do fill in the forms and all required documents and present yourself at the branch only to be told by a receptionist that you have to make an appointment to open an account!

Early in the year I decided to open a fixed rate account with A & L, downloaded all the forms and filled them in and took all the documentation and ID proof to the branch and was told I had to make an appointment and I would have to come back another time! I told them that they had now lost a £35,000 savings account and took my cash elsewhere, I think they thought I was a 'crank'! Lol

Primrose

nilrem - I think part of the problem is that counter staff in branches are not properly trained in common sense when it comes to opening accounts and the way money laundering identification is handled. We seem to have developed a nation of individuals who are incapable of making effective decision on their own account.

rb10

I think they see someone with £35k in their hand, and think they can get another sale out of it if they get the person in an appointment.

Old_Slaphead

There may be a way around this.

When opening a new account that requires a meeting with 'advisers' I say at the start of the 'interview' that I wish to open the specified account that I am absolutely not interested in anything else and would they not try any 'sell' other products to me.

Seems to work if you lay the groundrules down at the start because they've never seriously tried to flog me anything (apart fromn the occasional 'have you got a will' or 'we've some great insurance offers if you're interested')

kostigovs

nilrem wrote: »

That really annoys me TBH, you make your mind up about what you want to do fill in the forms and all required documents and present yourself at the branch only to be told by a receptionist that you have to make an appointment to open an account!

Early in the year I decided to open a fixed rate account with A & L, downloaded all the forms and filled them in and took all the documentation and ID proof to the branch and was told I had to make an appointment and I would have to come back another time! I told them that they had now lost a £35,000 savings account and took my cash elsewhere, I think they thought I was a 'crank'! Lol

Last week I went into my local A & L only to be told I needed an appointment. The branch manager happened to be out on the "shop floor" and told the assistant that Mr xxx does not need to make an appointment as he is a valued customer. Double standards perhaps but they got my deposit

arzosahr

Primrose wrote: »

nilrem - I think part of the problem is that counter staff in branches are not properly trained in common sense when it comes to opening accounts and the way money laundering identification is handled. We seem to have developed a nation of individuals who are incapable of making effective decision on their own account.

Well there i have to object mate...

I work in a branch on the counter and I have also been a banking advisor for the company as well... Keying ID isn't a problem for us, but you can't seriously expect to open an account over the counter? Would you not get a bit upset waiting for 15 mins to use the counter on your lunchbreak while a cashier was opening an account for the customer in front of you?

nilrem wrote: »

That really annoys me TBH, you make your mind up about what you want to do fill in the forms and all required documents and present yourself at the branch only to be told by a receptionist that you have to make an appointment to open an account!

There are other customers too who have booked an appointment so there's not always going to be an advisor free to open an account for you onspec.

Sorry... Rant over... I had a bad day today