Very Upset - Nationwide :( Update!

Parky

Hello MoneySavers,

I have not been on for a while, no internet access.
Are you ready for a long story? I think I have been a silly girl..

I applied for a FlexAccount back in September last year. I was accepted for a full account (I have a Nationwide Cashbuilder for 26 years etc) no problems.
They sent the forms through but, due to personal circumstances (family death etc) I never proceeded and signed the forms.

Yesterday I went into branch to apply again. I took my Cashbuilder passbook, my new passport and 2 forms of address (valid ones). I was told that as the address was not the same on my account as my forms of ID, I was not allowed to proceed. I walked out upset but phoned them when I got in. They apologised and said it was a mistake.

I applied online this morning, for a FlexAccount. I did not want to go back in to branch. I was accepted but only for a basic account (Cash Card only). I have a mortgage (up to date) and a well kept current account and no debts or defaults. I thought this was strange so called up.

I explained on the phone that I applied last September and was accepted for a full account (and I could see a record of this online, with the reference number) but I never completed application. She said they had no record of it and it would only have lasted a month. I offered to give the reference number but she said it would mean nothing. She said "oh, the online account could have been misprinted info, would you like to apply again on the phone?"
Stupidly, I said yes.

I went through it and was declined. She gave me the application number.

I log back into my online Nationwide site and can now see 3 applications. 1 full account, accepted, pending signature (the one from September), 1 basic, pending signature (from this morning) 1 declined (from this morning)

I rang back and asked to speak to someone about this. I wanted to know if the one from September is still valid as it has a reference number and the status is "pending signature". He said it didn't exist. I asked if all these applications had affected Credit Scoring, and if so, why was I not warned. He said they didn't. Since reading this site again, I know it does now and I feel so stupid. I asked to speak to a manager about why my Sept application looks valid. I was passed onto a 3rd number who said they couldn't see it, so gave me the branch number. I rang the branch and was put through to a call centre. Again. All in all I have spent 3 hours on the phone; I just want to know what has happened really.

I know I shouldn't have made 2 applications in quick succession but why didn't they warn me, and why does one still seem to be "pending" from last year?

Will I be able to apply for a bank account again or is my credit ruined?

I wanted the FlexAccount as I am going abroad and wanted the free cash withdrawals.

Thanks if you got to the end of this. They have been so unhelpful and I don't understand what has gone on.

I have sent 4 emails asking for some help and a call back. Nothing so far.

I was also very (maybe TOO polite) on the phone..

Many thanks for any help/suggestions/advice.

Laura

GSD4ME

I am afraid I have no advice to give, but just to say I commiserate with you.

In my personal experience I have found bank call centre staff pretty useless. They can answer straightforward questions, but give them anything even slightly complex and they are stuffed. I know it is not their fault, it is down to their training and the information they can access and they are only doing their job, but I have lost count of the time I have been given incorrect or conflicting information when I call banks.

Good luck with this problem.

ginger_nuts

do you have any paperwork from last September ,if so sing it and send it back .

Parky

Thanks GSD4ME xxx

ginger_nuts, unfortunately no. I lost it. It was a stressful time as there there was a family bereavement I completely lost it.

xxx

ginger_nuts

if you can see the approved application on line ,go back to the branch and talk to them .get them to show your account on screen ,it should show the aproved application .I use nationwide and there call centers are not the greatest ,back to the branch is your best option .

Parky

Many thanks ginger_nuts.
xxx

trets77

may i suggest that if Nationwide don,t want your custom you go to someone that does.

i have my mortgage with Nationwide and would have applied for this flex account had First Direct tried to impose a £10 a month charge for the current account.
but i have found Nationwides telephone service POOR.

why are you begging them to let you open a account ...it should be the other way round !!!

Blow them off and apply for the nationwide credit card for your travel needs and only use it when you go away and pay it off in full (i,e using it to your advantage )

then when you have your new account write a snotty letter to them. bet they offer you the account then.

any advice on which account to try instead guys ???

umami

I would also recommend you very politely and firmly tell the branch manager reimburse you for your long telephone calls and time wasted. I had a different mild problem with my branch years ago and they reimbursed me for my telephone calls and a letter of apology.All I did was wrote a letter.Good luck

Parky

Thankyou MoneySavers. :beer:

My problem is, now with all this unecessary account applications, will I be able to open a Credit Card or another account with another bank?

xxx

homersimpson_3

there are likely to be 3 credit searches showing on record- one for every application and you should stop applying for current accounts because too many seaches in a short space of time suggests to banks you are desperate and not good at managing money. lots of threads on mse where people declined full account, appealed and won on appeal- many had excellent credit reports and still refused. alot of it is to do with the silly nationwide computer not recognising addresses! go into branch and ask to speak to manager. ask nationwide to let you log onto their 'internet' computer and show them the screen which shows you were accepted for a flexaccount in sept 2005. if they have your account on the screen on their website they can't deny it. alternatively ask for copy of all records under data protection act

Parky

I had a call from Nationwide today. They apologised profusely for the mistakes they made and the bad advice I was given by the call centre staff. They explained the reason was due to repeated applications but they were partly responsible. They also said it may be because I have "no ties" with Nationwide. I explained I have had an account (in good order) for about 26 years and the lady said "Oh, we didn't know that"
The upshot is, they said they had made mistakes, they could see all the applications on screen and that they would be giving me a full Flexaccount....
Just wanted to thank everyone for advice and let you know.

xx