HSBC cancelling my accounts because i refused/laughed at them?

ERICS_MUM

Are you sure that the proposed meeting was intended as a marketing/selling exercise or could there something on the account or the way you use it that concerned them and they wanted to discuss it ?

paulmcerlean

Yeah right, tell us what you really said... it will all have been recorded, so it wont be a case of your word against hers...

mandragora_2

If it was a cold call, and really was as described, for no other reason than to try to get you to change the way you use your accounts, then you would have some case for arguing that even if you did come across as rude, it was becasue THEY rang YOU, unprompted, and thus initiated the situation. It would be a different matter if you had rung them, or gone into the branch and started shouting the odds. They initiated it, from what you're saying, not you.

I would completely defend an organisation's right to refuse to accept abusive or aggressive behaviour towards staff, and choose to terminate contracts/deals/accounts. However, if any company makes unsolicited phone calls, expect for people to decline the offer, sometimes in no uncertain terms.

izools

I'm sure it was MUCH less abusive than this overjoyed and clearly satisfied BT customer...

http://www.wibble.co.uk/media/bt.wav

Seriously though OP, I wish you all the best with your complaint if all was as described.

I'm wondering now if this is why Barclays chose to forcably close all my accounts just over a year ago. Never incurred a penny in charges and turned over 2K+ each month over my accounts. But following a spate of complaints (not containing any form of abuse, just strongly worded explaining which laws / terms they are in breach of) they did the same as HSBC are doing with you.

I'm still not 100% sure why, but hey.

I would be inclined to file the complaint and close the account anyway, transfer out before the 90 days is up so that you get the satisfaction of going in branch and closing the account yourself.

I've found Lloyds TSB to be a much better bank than Santander, Barclays, or RBS Group (Natwest).

Halifax may be the other option but can't cast judgement on them having never banked there.

JuicyJesus

theronkinator wrote: »

I also think we haven't been given the full story though.

Agreed. I get the impression this:

"i said to the woman who rang me 'I am probably the last person you would want to ask if id like to come in to review my account as there is nothing id rather do less' and i had a little laugh and then politely explained that id rather not but thanked her"

is probably a very sanitised view of what actually happened, and obscures a lot of anger, swearing and shouting. No bank will close your account because you won't come in for a review. Most will if you get shouty and abusive.

OP, have you called them up to ask what's happening and why?

Olipro

theronkinator wrote: »

No, they offer a service and are free to offer it to who they like. The same way you can't walk into a hair dressers and make them cut your hair, it is upto them who they deal with.

I also think we haven't been given the full story though.

I'm not taking issue with what the bank can or cannot do, nor am I particularly interested in your world view of what is or is not acceptable.

The bottom line is that he wants to know what he is entitled to do, the answer is to complain and try bringing a case before the Ombudsman.

Whether or not you think that is a fair or appropriate way to go is utterly irrelevant, the fact is that he wanted to know what his options are, not your 2 cents on how to conduct business.

Perhaps he isn't telling the whole story, perhaps he is... either way, it doesn't stop him attempting what I outlined.

dunstonh

Come on bod dob, what did you really say?

Viper_7

annable wrote: »

Impressed with the answer! :T :T :T

albeit a sexist answer!

Malory

I just can't imagine that some slightly miffed HSBC employee would have the power to close out the accounts of a customer who is never overdrawn and deposits money regularly.

Imagine if a retail worker had the power to permanently ban a customer from their shop if the customer was a little bit rude to them.

Definitely more to the story.

OP needs a full explanation of why the accounts were closed (if it's not already in the letter and we just haven't been told about it).

I have refused reviews offered by banks and it has never been a problem.

bob_dob

Wow!!
So many answers, thank you (almost) all.

Now, to theronkinator, Maolory, JuicyJesus, paulmcerlean and Loanranger, let me make myself crystal clear- If i want advice from any forum, i will post all relevant details in as clear a way as i possibly can and not leave out any details because if i did then the answer/s id get would be of no use to me.

I have explained what i said in that phone call and even used the exact terminology that i used, the reason i can remember it so well is it genuinely amused me and was a fairly short phone call. So, to clarify, there is 'no more' to the story, i absolutely promise you!!

In answer to the other point, Loanranger, i have never had any dealings with them before...ever! Each of my accounts have been very well run with a steady income for years.
Also, just to confirm, the letter was from the branch manager, not the woman who rang me.

Ok, i hope i have cleared that up.
Now, in the hope of avoiding any mickey-taking again, please may i ask if anyone has the name of the CEO or Chairman at HSBC?

Thank you in advance!