Dont Apply To A And L Yet!

CharleneUK

So you'd better get it, while the getting's good!

BBColin

EagerLearner wrote:

Does anyone else have negative feedback on A&L in terms of practicalities like the ones Evie P mentions? We're considering moving over completely from First Direct, so any comments gratefully received before we jump...

I got stung by an underfunding charge (entirely my own fault) but didn't enjoy the A&L "experience" for many other reasons:
Like you, I was used to First Direct and I found the Internet interface a pain and the phone banking a long winded nightmare.
Everything (paying out, paying in) seemed to take forever - money hovering in limbo
Long waits for phone operators, only to have them sternly tell you off (really) for using the non-0845 phone number "which is only for overseas callers"
That's if you can find any phone number at all: I always struggled to find the number on the website.

Wouldn't go back. Not even for 12%. Might do it for a month, for a referral payment - but that's it.

humfer

Who'd have thought a couple of years ago when 0.1% interest on current accounts was the norm that we would be discussing interest rates of 6%+ on current accounts eh....

EagerLearner

I think I'd get the basic account + the 12% linked saver.

1 - How easy are they to deal with on the phone? 0870 or 0845 number? Untill what time can you call them up?

2 - How easy/good is their online banking?

I'm thinking of leaving First Direct to open this A+L account, then drip feed my ICICI savings into the A+L 12% savings account.

3 - Is the A+L saver 12% account instant access? Can I change the amount deposited each month or is it fixed?

Brum_Man

EagerLearner wrote:

3 - Is the A+L saver 12% account instant access? Can I change the amount deposited each month or is it fixed?

It's not instant access, think of it as one year bond but money is being drip fed in instead of putting up a lump sum at the start. The amount has to be fixed at opening and can't be changed throughout the term.

humfer

EagerLearner wrote:

I think I'd get the basic account + the 12% linked saver.

1 - How easy are they to deal with on the phone? 0870 or 0845 number? Untill what time can you call them up?

2 - How easy/good is their online banking?

I'm thinking of leaving First Direct to open this A+L account, then drip feed my ICICI savings into the A+L 12% savings account.

3 - Is the A+L saver 12% account instant access? Can I change the amount deposited each month or is it fixed?

Internet banking is pretty good - had no problems so far. To be honest haven't needed to phone them so can't comment on the telephone banking

EagerLearner

Brum_Man wrote:

It's not instant access, think of it as one year bond but money is being drip fed in instead of putting up a lump sum at the start. The amount has to be fixed at opening and can't be changed throughout the term.

Hmmm - so if I choose £50 a month, can't increase the amount at any time? Presumably the first lump sum can be more though - ie: £250?

Brum_Man

EagerLearner wrote:

Hmmm - so if I choose £50 a month, can't increase the amount at any time? Presumably the first lump sum can be more though - ie: £250?

No you can't increase the amount, and no the first amount can't be different either, larger or smaller, hence it being a regular saver.

CharleneUK

Oh my h*ll I didn't know that!! Why didn't I read it through properly!? I was also getting it confused with the plussaver account! Hmph! Not happy.

humfer

Yeh you have to really have worked out your finances when applying for this sort of thing as it does have restrictions - but all worth it in the end I suppose