First Direct - am I the only one to think they're rubbish?

DesG

I think I have mentioned in other threads that I find them so-so.

I like the free £250 o/d, the £100 joining bonus, UK call centres, and the full FPS implementation.

I don't like the website (thats a big one, as 99.999% of my interaction with a bank is online), and forcing you to open the IB website in a new browser session, Hello, 1992 calling, we want our web designers back!

Other things that I couldn't care less about are: Answering the phone with a human, like who cares, we are in the 21st century!

When I applied, I deliberately didn't transfer any standing orders/DD's so I wasn't eligible for the leaving bonus, which would keep me impartial

If another account appears with a larger free o/d and full FPS, i'll move other than that I put up with the imperfections as it suits me to

Cheers, Des.

(And Hazzanet, when I saw your first post you came across as an !!!!, but your subsequent post explains all If you don't like your name, just change it, problem solved )

mitchec1

DesG wrote: »

Other things that I couldn't care less about are: Answering the phone with a human, like who cares, we are in the 21st century!
)

While you may not care about it but some of us travel enough round the world and like the fact they can speak to a human it tends to make for a quicker and cheaper call.

For some of us being able to speak to your bank 24x7 when your away from home is 21st century.
I've been to countries over the past 12 months where the internet is 100's of miles away but you can pick up a mobile signal or use a landline.

aloise

Been with first direct for about 20 years. Wouln't change at all. I think they are extemely good. They take a lot of trouble to answer any concerns you may have and their staff are lovely. Never had any trouble with my account either

michaels

I can not believe a supposedly customer friendly bank only has an 0845 number and refuses to give out a geographic number - they make a fraction of a penny from having such a number - mobile companies often charge 30p a minute and do not include it in included bundle minutes. To call from a mobile they make a tiny amount, mobile operator makes a fortune and customer gets !!!!*d off - how can that make sense as a business model?

premierfella

I've never used it, but do they refuse to serve you on the "international" 0113 234 5678 number?

stella2009

premierfella wrote: »

I've never used it, but do they refuse to serve you on the "international" 0113 234 5678 number?

I use this number every time I call them and they have never so much as questioned it, let alone refuse to assist me.

heloid

I've asked them to call me back on my mobile phone plenty of times and they have obliged.

noh

michaels wrote: »

I can not believe a supposedly customer friendly bank only has an 0845 number and refuses to give out a geographic number - they make a fraction of a penny from having such a number - mobile companies often charge 30p a minute and do not include it in included bundle minutes. To call from a mobile they make a tiny amount, mobile operator makes a fortune and customer gets !!!!*d off - how can that make sense as a business model?

Does this look like a refusal to give out a geographic number?

http://www2.firstdirect.com/1/2/help-support/contact-us

PeteMc

Like the vast majority on here, a big thumbs up for First Direct. Been with them 20 years and standards have never slipped. When I lived abroad they would even call me back there if systems were down etc.

username

noh wrote: »

Does this look like a refusal to give out a geographic number?

http://www2.firstdirect.com/1/2/help-support/contact-us

Well they've "disguised" it as the "international" number, so the majority of people will just ring the 0845. A lot of places do this to be 'annoying' as they probably do get a few pence kickback per call.

The only shock comes in when people get their mobile bill through and find they're being charged 30/40p per min for calling an 0845.

In my time of being with FD I have never rung the 0845 and have never had any problems on the 0113 number.

Top tip for any company which has "international" phone numbers, drop the +44, and replace with a 0 and you're laughing - a phone call for a fraction of the 0845 cost.