Hard Selling by Banks.

Morglin

My husband and I have current accounts with the NatWest - he has an account where he pays so much a month for services we don't really use, but keeps it going in case we need the credit line offered (£5k overdraft limit). Although, we have never used it anyway.

I have a normal one with cheque card etc., and a £600 overdraft limit (which I didn't ask for and have never used). despite their many offers, I don't want to "upgrade" to a monthly fee current account.

We have the usual credit cards, a couple with tiny balances, tho none which mean paying any interest as we change them for the interest free ones when we have to start paying them.

Our savings are elsewhere in a interest paying account (not NatWest)

But: we are medically retired from work and live on private pensions and benefits - a totally fixed income which won't go up other than with inflation.

We live in rented accommodation.

We cannot afford to get into debt.

So, why, despite me telling NatWest this regularly, do they persist in writing, phoning and approaching me to borrow money whenever I go in to pay a bill?

In the last month, I have had 3 approaches (in the bank), 4 letters and 3 phone calls (from the manager of the local branch), offering me all amounts from £5k to yesterday's of £20k............what are they on?

I've told them we cannot afford it, I have told them we wouldn't even be able to insure any loans as we don't work and have disabilities, I've told them to please make a note we don't want anything............still, they go on.:eek:

Ok, my husband runs our budget carefully (and handcuffs me when we go near any nice shops.........;) , but surely, this is what gets people in hock above their means?

I wish these banks would be more responsible with selling loans.

Lin

[Deleted User]

That is disgusting. Change banks Morglin. I have been with smile/coop for 25 years and they have never hastled me to buy anything. No letters or phone calls and they answer any queries very quickly. It is very easy to change by the way

The current account gives 3.04% and savings 4.25% and switching is instant.

Here is a smile v natwest list
http://www.smile.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Smile/Page/smView&c=Page&cid=1033124323058

Linda32

Lloydtsb are the same, so if you do consider changing, don't go with them. They virtually drag people off the streets, asking them if they want a loan.

I'm another Smile / Co-op fan, they are wonderful

amandathepanda

The staff don't like doing it either,but unfortunately we have to ask or we risk losing our jobs!!

Morglin

Just got another letter in the post offering me the world..............:mad:

I'm not blaming the staff - they have to make their targets, but I have told the bank time and time again that I cannot afford any debt.........it falls on stony ground.:rolleyes:

[Deleted User]

morglin you don`t have to put up with it

Noz

simply change your marketing preferences that you have with the bank and you won't receive anymore

amandathepanda

Noz wrote:

simply change your marketing preferences that you have with the bank and you won't receive anymore

That would stop the phone calls and letters but it wouldn't stop the cashiers asking.

Noz

that's very true

jonesMUFCforever

amandathepanda wrote:

The staff don't like doing it either,but unfortunately we have to ask or we risk losing our jobs!!

And believe me it will be getting worse next year!!!

regularsaver1

In bank i work in it would stop cashier asking also because it would pop up on screen that this customer did not want marketing. as you get options for marketing by phone, email, telephone and counter

but customers are also not happy when they do not receive letters about rate changes - these can not always be sent as they are seen as marketing

I agree - if you work in a bank it is a sales job so have to get the leads ect!!!

Its not all bad - customer might not have thought about reviewing their insurance say and the bank may be able to save them cash