MSE News: Santander 'worst bank for customer service'

gt94sss2

I see Moneywise and Which? have recently also published similar surveys with First Direct at the top and Santander at the bottom...

Regards
Sunil

MoneySavingNovice

The really interesting thing about the First Direct debate above, is not that r9rog has an issue with the service received (all banks have pros and cons reference service) but how many people have gone to the defence of First Direct.

This demonstrates to me that First Direct must be doing something right for the majority of its customers.

This contrast with Santander, were there does not seen to have been a good word written about them on these forums in months.

r9rog, my advice to you is as you are clearly not happy with First Direct (and likely HSBC) is to move banks!

r9rog

I am very grateful for this information. The express machines at my nearest branch are not yet at this level. It's not advertised and it is not on the HSBC website description of the machines. HSBC tell me that at most branches you still need to deposit an envelope to pay in cash, so no ability to reject their calculation, but it will come.

As a sourpuss I have to point out that:
FD won't supply me with a debit card to withdraw £2000;
FD don't seem to have anything on their website about these machines;
FD still don't supply proper phone numbers (although HSBC do, and the new Lloyds TSB website quotes proper numbers specifically for those of us that despise BT's disgraceful profiteering).

Academic question - If everyone used these machines, who would stand at the window while the staff do their housekeeping?

As for the defence of First Direct, who provide no basic banking services, remember: the only man who does nothing wrong is the man who does nothing.

And still no comment from the chief executives of Lloyds TSB and NatWest!

MoneySavingNovice

r9rog wrote: »

.......FD won't supply me with a debit card to withdraw £2000;

Have you tried Bank Transfer and/or Cheques? & Which banks do supply such debit cards?

r9rog wrote: »

.......FD don't seem to have anything on their website about these machines;

Why would they provide details about another organisations machines?

r9rog wrote: »

.......FD still don't supply proper phone numbers.........

Link with full details including geographic nos is:-
http://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/help-support/contact-us;jsessionid=0000JpIDBxeBNqpIBLdSdeyctHz:11jkc751v?clear=true

miller

MoneySavingNovice wrote: »

Have you tried Bank Transfer and/or Cheques? & Which banks do supply such debit cards?

I remember a missive to NatWest Business Account holders that £780 was the maximum their machines could dispense in one go, but provided you had the limit multiple withdrawals could be made.

Generally I've found personal current accounts have a daily limit of £300 via a machine.

Chadsman

I was told by a teller it is possible to withdraw up to £5000 in cash using chip and pin via a counter at RBS

CyBerman

As a boy I banked with Lloyds, but when I became a student they told me it would have been six months before I could have a cash card so I crossed the road and joined Williams and Glyns.

They were subsequently taken over by RBS and apart from a slight glitch last year, I've never had any problems with them, doing most of my transactions over the phone and in the last couple of years online.

I have an RBS Royalties Gold account and made use of the airport lounge access, travel booking facilities and mobile phone and travel insurance amongst their other benefits.

Now with the news of my branch, which I probably visit less than once a year, being sold to Santander I'm looking to change where I bank.

From previous postings do I look to use First Direct? Any (civil) suggestions welcomed (and apologies if I don't get around to thanking you personally).

P.S. I live on the outskirts of London.

datostar

simplybest wrote: »

You can go on all you like Sandtander will win the worst bank award of all time, why? they just have not got the first idea of what any banking is all about, you see you must understand that spanish banking is all about doing a couple of hours of banking in the morning, then having a little sleep in the afternoon, come on guys this is not rocket science. They have done this for 150 years why change now because of a bunch of english people who like to go out in the midday sun, the way they look at it is we are the ones who have lost the plot, relax give your had earnt money away you know it makes sense. So to sum up all the PC fanantics who will grunge on what a fantastic job they are doing or even their Banks do yourselves a favour and bog off or even attempt to get a life.
Stop whining Santander and supporters and get some training, and for other Bank users watch this space you have seen nothing yet, Santander have left the worst to last trust me.

Exactly, and wait until they introduce the queue twice system, first to sort out what you want to do, then again to see the cashier!

KiKi

CyBerman wrote: »

From previous postings do I look to use First Direct? Any (civil) suggestions welcomed (and apologies if I don't get around to thanking you personally).

P.S. I live on the outskirts of London.

I moved to FD from Barclays; best thing I ever did with my money. They don't offer interest on the account, but their customer service is second to none. You speak directly to a real person every time, and they will go out of their way to help you, in my experience.

At 2330 one weekday evening, I realised that I'd taken out some cash that day which was supposed to be for a DD going out the next day. I called FD who immediately gave me a fee-free and interest-free overdraft so that when the DD left the next day it wouldn't be returned and I wouldn't incur any charges. I've never regretted joining them!

There are paid accounts that give you some benefits if you want those, but otherwise the standard account is fee-free providing you put a certain salary amount in it each month (or if you hold one of their other qualifying products such as their E-saver which renders the account fee-free).

If you want outstanding customer service, they are definitely the bank to go to IMO. I use HSBC branches or cash machines to deposit cash or cheques.

They're still doing the £100 deal - you get £100 for moving to them from another bank (conditions apply).

HTH
KiKi

KiKi

Just to add to the Santander debate...!

I personally haven't had any problems with them, and my mortgage deal with them is so brilliant and meets my needs exactly, so I won't be leaving them. I also have an ISA with them as it has a good interest rate.

However, I would never take a bank account with them, or anything that involves transactions which aren't automated. The reports I've seen on here and from friends are so shocking. And on the odd occasion when I have had to call customer services, it's been a ridiculous experience.

KiKi