Easy £25 loophole Discussion Area

FJSRiDER

acepepper wrote:

I just tried this and the operater wanted me to tell her which account specifically I wanted to open, as they have many different current accounts. I told her I had a code from the Times advert and she said this wouldn't help.

I got the distinct feeling that I was being fobbed off because they knew what I was up to.

I tried this morning too.

I called told them I wanted to open a new account with the £25 bonus The very polite operator asked if this was the Times code and asked me to quote it. I did (I was looking at this page while doing so. )

The paperwork will be in the post apparently...

skiddy2k

acepepper wrote:

I just tried this and the operater wanted me to tell her which account specifically I wanted to open, as they have many different current accounts. I told her I had a code from the Times advert and she said this wouldn't help. She wanted to know if I had the advert and I don't. I know there's a potted version of the ad on the site, but does anyone have the full version? And also, was a specific type of account mentioned?

I got the distinct feeling that I was being fobbed off because they knew what I was up to.

worry not!
just call up again, and hope for the best that you speak to another operator!
many people have had this problem, where the operator has 'clocked on.

Patey_2

I phoned up last week and quoted the code. They said it was no problem, that I would get the money for joining, and that they would send me an application form. I've now had a look through all the paperwork they sent me, but I can't find a reference to the £25 anywhere. Does anyone know whether this matters? Should they honour the offer anyway?

Anwen_2

I've just called up to check about sending in the ID, and they said that actually quite often they don't need it, so I should just send in the application and they'll contact me if they need ID. (I mentioned that my bank is Smile which doesn't send out statements, and my utilities are all Paperless as well.)

Fortunecooky

dannyboy wrote:

Hi,I cant find any info about abbey ofeering £40 to join????
Is this for there current acount when u apply online??
Please can you explain more?

Thanks.

I saw that on an Abbey branch in Hammersmith, went in, opened account and because I was switching from the First Direct account ( having made my £125-00 with offer etc ), Abbey promised me £40-00. I am not sure if this offer is available now or online. But I have seen a poster now where Abbey promise £50-00 if they make a mistake while switching, so if they do it, then it is a better deal than the £40-00 ! In my case, I have not seen anything that prevents me from getting both deals !!!

Marigold123

lipidicman wrote:

I know why they have to have ID. What I am saying is that I dont want to post in in an envelope which is clearly an application for a bank account.

Also if first direct were taking ID theft seriously the ID and the application form should be sent separately. Too much sensitive information and a piece of ID in one envelope is asking for trouble, thats all.

In terms of ID, they already know you live where you do, they can do electoral roll and credit reference checks too. So I am not sure what a bank statement proves anyway - it does make me suspicious that it must show your income.

I also note that the section on 'what does free banking mean' says that if £1000 is not paid in, or a balance of £1000 maintained, they can change the charges. Also the T&Cs are dated from 21st March (the day Martin sent the email out) is this coincidental?


just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after you!

I do see what you mean! I was replying to an earlier post, not yours, BTW.

I didn't know they wanted it to show your income. Perhaps they want to see that you do have £100 to put in?!

I must say I'm surprised some of the sales people are being so snotty, whereas others are being really nice about it. I've been with First Direct for seven years, and I've never had a bad conversation with a single member of their staff. They're known for the best customer service of all the banks. Perhaps some of the snotty ones are temps, pulled in to cope with the extra workload generated by the unprecedented uptake.

I was talking to a lady from First Direct today and casually mentioned the offer in the Times, and she said, their sales team had been totally snowed under. She said, (not an exact quote, but words to the effect of):

'Some idiot went on TV and said, Look, they're crazy, they're giving away £25 to everyone who signs up for an account.'

I said, "Ah, that would have been Martin Lewis, then." She said she thought it was.

hcmix

I joined 1st Direct thru a mail shot, got £35 by just putting in £100. Was very easy BUT, they have since sent me their 'recommend a friend' £25 quid for u £25 quid for your friend scheme. This is proving NOT so easy. The 1st friend I recommended was refused on account of a credit check?! (Not sure why you need a credit check to pay in £100 to a bank account!) My 2nd recommended friend has received numerous phone calls to 'check' his details and today received a letter requesting that he call 1st direct so they could 'check' some more details!!

It's turning out to be the most difficult £25 we ever earnt!!! :mad:

Marigold123

I got £25 when I signed up 7 years ago. That's how long they've been doing it - at least!

I haven't managed to sign anyone else up yet - all the people I know are too dumb to move to a decent bank. Actually what's even more annoying, is that two of the people I had been hassling to move before I even heard about the recommend a friend thing - two of my sisters, in fact, then signed up a year or so ago, completely independently, without even telling me they were going to do it.

Another friend refused to budge, even though I was always saying how good First Direct were, and he was pretty unhappy with his bank. When he finally decided to change, he completely forgot (or ignored!) my advice and signed up with HSBC, for their online banking service, which is MUCH worse than First Direct's, and which offered no incentive. Duh!

There's no telling some people, I'm afraid.

bridiej

DonnieDarker wrote:

Hi,

called them, was given no option to apply on the phone but the callcentre bod immediately knew what I was talking about (£25 deal) and was very forthcoming about how it could be exploited!

She's sending the application form to me but did stress that there is no reference to the code on the forms. Apparently, during the telephone call she logs the promotional code with the address details you provide. Nonetheless assuming the smallprint looks OK I'll be sure to write on the promo code to the form regardless.

Same thing just happened to me, she took basic name, address & tel no and said forms in the post. We have a joint account with them so maybe they didnt need to do more over the phone?

SimonDevon_2

Thanks Martin,

Just rang through, No problems - Quoted The Times, etc.
Gave Name, address, postcode - Job done - pack in the post.

Pack may be delayed, I was told, apparently there is some website run by "Martin Lewis!!???!!" that is causing a huge response/problems

"Really??" said I!! Never mind........

Cheers.
Simon