Metro bank - new customer review

innovate

Quite unbelievably, my FP has still not arrived in my Metro account. Shocking lack of service.

Though, of course, we are still within the legally defined timeframe.

EDIT: hallelujah, money has finally arrived, 08:55. Almost exactly 10 hours after I sent it.

Doc_N

richardmk wrote: »

I think Metrobank must have shedloads of secondary current accounts, it is good for free cash withdrawals overseas, but everything else is second rate to the other banks. Metrobank wins hands down on gimmicks instant cards, prizes for making cash deposits, dog portraits but when it comes to processing transactions and more than a basic account unfortunately it is very much a let down.

innovate wrote: »

Quite unbelievably, my FP has still not arrived in my Metro account. Shocking lack of service.

Though, of course, we are still within the legally defined timeframe.

My experiences and feelings precisely, having regularly suffered the same problems with Faster Payments.

For real banking, use First Direct. For pretend banking and gimmicks use Metro Bank.

A Metro account's useful for fee-free overseas withdrawals, but little else. I wonder how many 'customers' they have like me who only use the account when they go abroad?

rendezvous67

giblet10 wrote: »

Does anyone know how long they take to respond to secure messaging? I wrote to them four days ago but haven't had a response..

Sounds like a snail would of got your message to them quicker... lol

steveofthewood

Just opened an account with metro bank, and already looking for a new bank!!!!
Used their dedicated switching service, and ended up with numerous charges ( over £200 ) from my previous bank cos metro bank didnt do their job.
They switched my wages immediteley to them, but forgot the direct debits, which were paid by my previous bank, and charged a princely sum to boot
Nice people, nice promises but !!!!! service.
Do yourselves a favour , and think hard before you try these cowboys.

steveofthewood

Can anyone tell me how to find out the email address of the boss of metro bank ( craig donaldson )
Wanna give him a piece of my mind.
Thanks

innovate

apparently it is [EMAIL="craig.donaldson@metrobank.plc.uk"]craig . donaldson @metrobank . plc . uk [/EMAIL]
(without those blanks, obviously)
[EMAIL="craig.donaldson@metrobank.plc.uk"][/EMAIL]

Hazzanet

Well, I thought I'd take a day trip to Reading to see what all the fuss is/isn't about.

I didn't wait too long to see banker, however the chap I did see seemed to be a bit nervous - perhaps a trainee. I asked for a chequebook, and it clearly says on the document he handed me "Cheque Book - we can print your cheque book in store while you wait", however I was told that it would be with me in 5-7 working days (?)

Card was printed for me there and then, internet banking set up on their machine, as was the PIN for the card.

He went for the savings and credit card cross sell, but couldn't match or better the products I already have.

I've tried nine times so far to log onto their internet banking - so far I've seen the balance once, but ruddy good luck to you if you want to set up a Standing Order. It keeps logging me out, telling me I've got my details wrong (when it just displayed my balance!) and leaves me looking at swirling circles.

I have to agree with Doc_N - for 'real banking' use a 'real bank'.

Jules2012

I think it's a great idea but I guess they have still a lot to get right looking the above posts.

Hazzanet

Well, there is some good practice to take away here - they are customer-centric which is refreshing and the whole idea of leaving the branch with a card is brilliant. Why other banks cannot manage this is surprising.

I get the feeling that the internet banking is probably cloud based and they haven't chucked enough processing power at it.

innovate

Hazzanet wrote: »

Why other banks cannot manage this is surprising.

Other banks probably have invested in slightly better, centralised, card printing facilities which will have a lot lower cost of ownership than umpteen local printing machines. And produce cards that look they have been printed by a reputable company (have you seen the Metrobank cards? I am not after a posh/fashionable card, but the Metrobank cards basically look cheap. Almost like a bad fake of debit and credit cards.).

I haven't yet heard how you get a replacement card from Metrobank when your card expires, or when you lose it. Do I have to go and pick one up, or do they send it to me like other everyone else does?