Don't save with alliance and leicester.

baby_boomer

Just opened my first account with them since demutualisation. The building societies seem to be struggling to compete at the moment as most of my money seems to be with Lloyds, ING & A&L.

Very happy with the speed of all the admin so far, in spite of the postal strikes, - and also a great interest rate for instant access .

Well done, A&L.

Mr_K

They're ok whilst you're with them. They just make it difficult when you're closing your account, as in the OP's case.

noh

Mr_K wrote: »

They're ok whilst you're with them. They just make it difficult when you're closing your account, as in the OP's case.

Not my experience.
When I closed mine everything happened as it should.

Lifeisabeach_2

Worst thing they are forever bringing out another account with a different interest rate. What number are we up to now?

antispam246

In contrary to the OP. Been with A&L for a couple of years, had no problems. Started with the 8.5% prem direct account which is still going now have the 6.5% account and 2 online saver issue 5 accounts. All opened and few others closed with zero hassles. Closed older issues of online savers with no problems. Downgraded a current account easily enough. Had a total of £145 cashback from opening A&L accounts and the interest rates have been fairly solid.

Only gripe is with FP's lower limit and not always so fast in contrast to other accounts. Another positive is the online messaging system which I usually get replies to pretty quickly and saves the hassle of phone calls or waiting on e-mails.

missile

pickle wrote: »

I tried to open a current account but gave up in the end. I got loads of paperwork but not much happening.

Me too.

I could not get on line with the PIN code they sent. Phoned and got another, still would not work. Phoned and they told me account was not in my name and I would have to go into a branch to prove my ID . Sent a letter of complaint and to cancel accounts ............. and they sent me another PIN number :mad:

artha

antispam246 wrote: »

In contrary to the OP. Been with A&L for a couple of years, had no problems. Started with the 8.5% prem direct account which is still going now have the 6.5% account and 2 online saver issue 5 accounts. All opened and few others closed with zero hassles. Closed older issues of online savers with no problems. Downgraded a current account easily enough. Had a total of £145 cashback from opening A&L accounts and the interest rates have been fairly solid.

Only gripe is with FP's lower limit and not always so fast in contrast to other accounts. Another positive is the online messaging system which I usually get replies to pretty quickly and saves the hassle of phone calls or waiting on e-mails.

Myself and OH have been with A&L on and off over the last couple of years as second accounts to take advantage of good rates when they appear coupled with cashback. We have had a few problems with the length of time it takes to get an account up and running but in general I would say that to get the best rates you have to do some work and be patient.