Problems with the Halifax and kids Save4it!

MrsFraggle

I cannot believe I have let myself in for this yet again with the Halifax. We had our accounts and mortgage with them years ago and left cos they were useless!
The only reason I decided to open up the kids accounts with them was because it was recommended on here as the best rate of interest for kids.

I am so frustrated and annoyed! I opened up 3 accounts over the phone on MOnday 8th May, and went into branch on Thursday 11th May with the 'roll numbers' the man on the phone had given me, theirs and mine ID, and cheques to pay into their accounts.

All was done fine as far as I was aware, and I recieved some forms through the post to sign and return - which I did.

I have today received a letter telling me that one of the account has had a 'technical error' and they are 'unable to remove the 'stop'' from the account??????? On phoning up it appears all three of the accounts has this error. I'm told I will have to return to branch with ID again and reopen the accounts.

I have been passed around about 5 different people this morning and been on the phone for over an hour! Noone seems to be able to tell me what this error is, and are insisting I return to branch. I also don't know whats happened to the money I paid in at the time of opening!

I am not prepared to return to the branch, I have 3 children! Parking is a nightmare in town and I've already done it once so why should I?

I have told them that I am cancelling the accounts so I'm just waiting for a call back from the local branch (who I have to say have actually been very nice and helpful!) Its just a shame that the Halifax as a rule are just completely and utterly useless!

So, anyone wanting a saving account for kids, don't waste your time! Its not worth it.

Can anyone recommend another bank/building society for my kids who are capable of opening accounts? :rotfl:

MF

regularsaver1

Easier doing in branch straight off rather than over phone to be honest

MrsFraggle

The annoying thing is, is that was what I wanted to do - I only phoned them up to ask what was 'acceptable ID' and the guy said 'Oh we can do it over the phone'
Mad at myself! :mad:

janthemum

I empathise completly. I am just in process of closing my 2 kids Halifax accounts down, and I have just switched from them to go to First Direct. I have found them utterly useless and been on phone for what seems like hours over last couple of months; never getting anywhere; often saying they will call back and never do. So have lost my custom and my OH is now switching and in process of switching the kids. they just have been so incompetent. We have been with them for nearly 20 years as well. There loss!

Im too interested who people can recommend for the childrens accounts.

Im sorry you have had a rough time trying to sort it out today.

erb

I opened save4it accounts for my 2 kids about 2 years ago. This was done in local branch with no problems and since then my 2 teenagers have paid in and taken out at the branch with no problems. Alternatively you could try Nationwide who my kids also have accounts with but the last time I looked their interest rate was a bit lower than Halifax.

Robert_Sterling

Just a thought:-

If you are voted into the Top Ten Best Dressed Women In The World
you will also have a chance of being voted into the list of the Ten Worst Dressed Women in the World.

Similarly if you are the Largest Ex-Building Society in the world you are likely to have more satisfied and more dis-satisfied customers than your competitors. At the same time as having the most dis-satisfied customers you may also have the lowest percentage of dis-satified customers.

... end of rant