Santander nonsensical preferred overdraft account

PeterRock

So I was checking the best buys page for switching current accounts for people with an overdraft. The Santander "preferred overdraft rate account" sounded good as it
a) is 0% for overdrafts for 12 months
b) will match my current overdraft (up to £5000)
c) is 12.9% after a year

So my current overdraft limit is £2600 and I am £1000 overdrawn so I apply online to this account and to switch from my Barclays account (who i have been with for 20 years) to this one.

I then get an email this morning telling me congratulations my account has been set up, and they are starting the switching process. I then ring them up to find out what overdraft they have given my account.

They tell me I do not have an overdraft. They will access my spending in the next 6 months or so to see if they want to give me an overdraft!!!!!
I argued with them that that is precisely why i applied for their "overdraft account". The lady on the phone thought it was bizarre and asked her manager but he said the same thing, she then rang the overdraft department to tell to arrange an overdraft but got the same response from them!
So I asked them to close my account immeadiately as I was not happy! They say I can only do this at a Santander branch. Right, I said, then I dont want you switching anything to this account as it will take me overdrawn so please stop the switching process. They said i have to ring another number to stop the switching process and they are open from 9 to 5pm.

Aarggghhhhh - what is the point of this account!!!?!???????????????????

I am pretty furious.

jambosans

PeterRock wrote: »

Aarggghhhhh - what is the point of this account!!!?!???????????????????

Santander wrote:

- We'll match your previous overdraft up to £5,000 (dependant on circumstances).

It's borrowing, it's subject to status, Santander (like any other bank) cannot guarantee an overdraft without assessing your circumstances. For one, a £1000 outstanding debt with Barclays isn't a good start.

FYI Santander are bottom of the pile for customer services, I would stick with Barclays.

PeterRock

Yes of course it is all subject to status but why accept me for the "preferred overdraft" account in the first place if they werent prepared to offer me an overdraft? You wouldnt accept someone for a credit card then not offer them any credit. The account is specifically marketed for people who are or go overdrawn - which is me at the moment. I would much rather have been declined from the start.

Paul_Herring

Basically, don't bother with Santander in future. Abbey (who they took over) were just as abysmal.

Here's someone else with a recent Santander problem - it's not unusual.