Pondering a switch to Santander

Milarky

thatsean wrote: »

So then, any other thoughts?

It's just become moot

PREFERRED IN CREDIT, PREMIUM, REWARD and ZERO CURRENT ACCOUNTS: £100 switching incentive no longer available (previously available to those accounts opened via all channels) w.e.f. 12.12.10.

https://www.emoneyfacts.co.uk/news/news-search.aspx?newsarticleid=201067

anselld

thatsean wrote: »

what about people who were Abbey customers, have they a reason to complain about the service that Santander are offering?

Yes, equally dreadful way before the A&L transfer fiasco.
Thats why it became known as Shabbey!

Tupperware_Queen

I had both abbey and A & L accounts....santander managed to mess up LOTS of things with both...including resetting up dd's that I had cancelled, and making payments to people I didn't even know.....took me weeks to get my money back, and they applied charges when my actual payments were refused because of the wrong payments that they had made!!

for the love of God, don't go there

Malory

When you think about how much money you will make in terms of interest rates and special promotions, don't forget to take into the account the value of the many hours of your time that you will waste making phone calls that don't solve any problems or travelling to the branch to speak to someone in person who can't help you either. Plus the cost of antacids and headache medicines.

By the way, I closed my Santander current account a month ago and yesterday I received an email from them suggesting that I upgrade my current account. I thought some of you would enjoy that.

Edit: I was always an Abbey customer. Never had anything to do with A&L. I have also had atrocious service from them.

BigAndy_79

Tupperware_Queen wrote: »

I had both abbey and A & L accounts....santander managed to mess up LOTS of things with both...including resetting up dd's that I had cancelled, and making payments to people I didn't even know.....took me weeks to get my money back, and they applied charges when my actual payments were refused because of the wrong payments that they had made!!

for the love of God, don't go there

God, that is bad !!!

I, too, was considering switching to them on Sunday night - the last night that the incentive was available. I then thought back to when I switched to A&L and what a truely traumatic time that I experienced. I then thought that because it was the last day they would say that I didn't get accepted for the account when the incentive was running, etc., etc., so left it. Can just imagine the stress involved had I decided to go with it.....:mad:

nicjane113

Both me and my partner transferred our current accounts to A&L (mine from Clydesdale & his from Bank of Scotland).
I don't think you can get a worse bank that BoS!!

We have had the accounts for just over a year and have had no problems.

All of our direct debits transferred over fine, we got £100 each and free annual travel (which we have just renewed and was still free).

I use the internet banking every day as I like to keep a close eye on our bills etc. and can't really fault it.

I haven't been to a branch and have not had any problems so haven't needed to phone customer services so can't really comment there.

premierfella

nicjane113 wrote: »

I haven't been to a branch and have not had any problems so haven't needed to phone customer services so can't really comment there.

For me, that is where the main problems start. The scripted customer service on the phone ranks alongside Citibank's offshore telephone customer service - very poor.
I don't think I've ever managed to satisfactorily resolve any of the issues I've had with savings and current accounts at Abbey/Santander at a branch.
(The above references the quality of service in terms of useability and issue resolution only - I am not suggesting that the staff themselves are necessarily any better or worse than at other banks, as I am led to believe they are overworked and poorly supported by IT systems).