Is it true that First Direct will give me £100 just for leaving them?

tobiascurious

ok I found something on the first direct web site

Satisfaction guaranteed
If, within 12 months you're not happy with us, you've paid in at least £1,500 a month for six months and you haven't tried us before, we'll give you £100 and help you move your account.

YorkshireBoy

paulw98 wrote: »

Its my understanding that you need to have had a genuine grievance with the bank to claim the leaving £100. I had as when i set i the account they messed up two of my direct debits so was able to call them up on that which they agreed to and then paid me out the bonus when they closed the account.

So, to be clear, they messed up two of your DDs at the outset. You then used the account for a further 5-6 months and then decided that something that happened half a year ago only now warranted you closing the account (to claim the leaving present)?

Trying to call them up on somthing you knew about when you opened the account is just daft!

Pot...kettle?


And yes, I also got my £100 leaving present (but it was a lot easier 15 months ago).

paulw98

I see where you are coming from, Ill hold my hands up and admit it was my sole intentions to take the full 200 quid out of the transaction as I was totally happy with my origional HSBC account. I was waiting for them to give me a reason to leave so the DD problem was always going to be my ticket out hence i logged the problem with them when it occured.

Im not saying anyone shouldnt try for the leaving bonus Im just saying you will need a fairly valid reason IMO and have a think about what you are going to say before making the call

Have a search on this foum as it has been covered a few times. BTW i closed my account by writing a long letter in MS word and then cut and pasted it into their messenger service so I didnt even have to speak to anyone. At the end of your letter just include the details of the account you want the closing balance plus THE £100 BONUS paid into by what date. Job done!

YorkshireBoy

paulw98 wrote: »

...Im just saying you will need a fairly valid reason IMO

Agreed...and more so now than when I left them.

It seems you really do need some sort of customer service failure to 'get out' now.

tobiascurious

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

It seems you really do need some sort of customer service failure to 'get out' now.

may I ask what you're basing this on? (I can't find much discussion about it on here or on stoozing.com)

stphnstevey

Surely a better product elsewhere is a good enough reason - they pay no interest, so ANY other current account paying interest is better.

Will be using my FD to get my £75 from Nationwide too!

tobiascurious

stphnstevey wrote: »

Surely a better product elsewhere is a good enough reason - they pay no interest, so ANY other current account paying interest is better.

Will be using my FD to get my £75 from Nationwide too!

do nationwide pay interest? how does their overdraft interest compare?

apt

tobiascurious wrote: »

do nationwide pay interest? how does their overdraft interest compare?

Answers are no and badly.

YorkshireBoy

YorkshireBoy wrote:

It seems you really do need some sort of customer service failure to 'get out' now.

tobiascurious wrote: »

may I ask what you're basing this on?

The wording kind of gives a little away don't you think?...

"Service Guarantee"

I can't find much discussion about it on here

There's been loads of talk on this board, albeit maybe not recently, about the £100 leaving present and what counts or has counted for others. Maybe tweak your search a little?

I did mention the poor interest rates payable on their accounts when I claimed my leaving present, but it was more a 'bolt-on' to the 3 genuine customer service failings I'd experienced.

You're onto a loser if the interest rate issue is the only thing you're claiming under IMHO.

anselld

tobiascurious wrote: »

It can't be that easy can it? What do I have to say to them

I'd like to set up an account elsewhere and claim an opening incentive as well :j

You have to ask yourself why most people don't choose to take the £100 for leaving FD...

... but if you want the money, move to A&L. I'm sure it will be fine. :eek: