Alliance & Leicester £100 for changing being sneaky

noh

MoodyBlues wrote: »

They didn't match my agreed overdraft limit from the account I switched from.

There has never been any guarantee that they will.
From the T+Cs

"Overdraft limit matching is subject to status and an assessment of your personal circumstances and financial behaviour."

shappers82

I applied for my account late November, had all my DD's switched and was paid the £100 in Jan. No problems with the switch at all.
My only gripe was the overdraft. I had £2000 at HSBC, but they only offered me £200. I requested an overdraft of £1000, but they refused. To be fair though, it has meant I have been more strict on my money, and haven't actually dropped into my overdraft since I have had the account, so I suppose it benefitted me being refused!
The online banking is very poor in comparison with HSBC though.

ajharris

DeeDeeinDooDoo wrote: »

Hmmm,

Yep, two years is a looooong time to hand on in there. Sounds like you are having a carp time with them.

I think the problem has been because it wasnt a straightforward changing say a SO for salary they overlook that self employed people need to make a payment in. As far as I can see I have deposited £1000 into the account in the month that they said 'Its all done' (but it wasnt, loads of DDs not changed over) and also the first month that any DDs have been taken out.

I know there are other threads about A&L and I think for those whom it goes smoothly initially good luck, it sounds like it is only a matter of time before you find out how horrendous their customer service is. Perhaps that is why they have to tempt people in with £100!!

I agree with what you have written. It would be interesting to know how many people would be applying for A+L accounts if the financial incentive was not there. Even if the transfer does go smoothly the chances are that you are in for some terrible service.

A+L are now part of Santander, this means that things are likely to go from bad to worse. Are people really that desperate for £100?

Paulos77

I opened and account with A & L last March and all the switching of DD's etc were done within 6 or so weeks. Everything went smoothly bar one direct debit but that was easliy sorted out. I got my £100 incentive a few weeks later after. I couldnt fault them with the switching so maybe I was one of the lucky ones getting my £100 and everything going through fine.

However since then I wish I hadnt bothered!, I dont like A & L, so many things annoy me about them. Their online banking for one, its rubbish and you need to be on your toes looking at your account to see whats been taken out or what direct debits been paid. I would have been better off staying with my old bank. I'm looking to change to another bank right now

fickle34

I opened one of these accounts early december.

there was a delay in switching my direct debits over and Virgin Media ended up charging me £10 for the direct debit going through on time.

I had to wait until my payroll department paid my wage into my new A + L account to qualify for the "pay in £500" promotion.

Just got a letter from them saying that since I did not do this within 11 weeks of "account opening" I will not be getting £100

Bit of a scam, especially as they have actually cost me money.

I have not yet closed my old account so can go back there if needs be, probably going else where as halifax are not much better with their customer profiling and irresponsible approach to debts and charges.

Is there such a thing as an honest bank these days? I miss the old Bank of Scotland "a friend for life"

The_Moog_2

I got concerned by how long they were taking to switch my salary across and notified work myself to make the December pay day.

That is probably the only reason I actually got the £100 lol. They notified my firm by letter just that little bit too late for December, January's pay day would have been outside the 11 weeks.

MoodyBlues

noh wrote: »

There has never been any guarantee that they will.
From the T+Cs

"Overdraft limit matching is subject to status and an assessment of your personal circumstances and financial behaviour."

I wasn't aware of this. The bank clerk implied it was guaranteed. Either way I haven't actually ever used my other overdraft, but I want to use this one to pay off some bills temporarily , saving me some money from interest!

MoodyBlues

Looks like they have given me the correct overdraft now. I'll be waiting till I get a letter from them though before I start moving around money.

sophie-jade

From reading the above, I guess I must be one of the much luckier A&L customers. I opened my account with them in March 09 and received my £100 a few months later. They also matched my previous bank's overdraft of £4500 with no questions whatsoever being asked.

I recommended my husband transfer to them which he did in July 09 and both he and I have since received a £50 bonus payment shared between us.

I do get frustrated at times with the time lag between transactions taking place and then being reflected in the online statement. However, other then that I've been very happy with them.

DeeDeeinDooDoo

Hi

Just a quick update on the original post. I was supposed to get a call back by manager withing 48 hours. It didnt happen so I phoned yet again and got what I thought was going to be another rubbish customer service person. BUT no, had to retell the whole story and the young woman said, oh ok, sorry, you must have had a new member of staff, very sorry, £100 will be credited today. She also calculated that I had paid my £1K within 11 weeks of the account being opened. So I am now very happy but had meanwhile cancelled all my DDs and now have to put them all back or lose the £100.

Still been a palaver, not sure I would do it again, and it seems it is luck of the draw regarding whether you get an experienced CS assistant who can take some initiative.