Natwest - Pushy 'representative'

craigthfc_2

Hi,

I went into Natwest today just to make a payment and currently have a student account. I was told that as I am no longer a student and don't have an overdraft that it is not worth having and that I should upgrade it - which was a fair point.

Need to look into getting a decent current account, but haven't had the time.

Anyway, I had a quick meeting with a 'representative' or as I prefer to call him a salesman. He wanted me to have the best account they had and I was constantly saying that I just wanted the current account. I told him 3 or 4 times that I did not want a credit card and he persisted to tell me that I really needed to have one or I had no chance of getting a mortgage (I am only 21 and just left uni). He even said that even if I don't want one I should just get it anyway.....that makes sense!

Also he was trying to push me to get an ISA when I already have one at a better rate than Natwest offer and kept pushing it even though I have used up my allowance for this year, so then he said I should get a savings account at 0.8%.

Basically, I am just wondering if it is even worth complaining to Natwest about this guy. I understand that these representatives have sales targets, but he was really pushy and I actually felt that is was really difficult to leave and at points when he was talking about a credit card really intimidating when he was saying that I will not have good credit and won't get a mortgage etc.

Any help would be appreciated and safe to say that I won't be staying with Natwest if their service is like this!

Craig

izools

I would definitely complaint.

This is a direct violation of their own customer charter. Not only that, but it constitutes irresponsible lending - he knows you don't want a credit card, and knows you've just left uni so probably aren't in the most financially stable position you'll be in over the course of your life. And the bit about not getting a mortgage without a credit card? Rubbish. As long as you have some form of credit history; perhaps a mobile phone contract, current account with overdraft, british gas account, etc all showing responsible use and clean payment history for a few years this will be fine.

Mortgages aren't scored like unsecured credit products so he was talking bull.

There's helping a customer understand the benefits of products they mightn't of considered, and then there's breaching the lending code...

sneaky

Natwest have been really pushy lately trying to sell you all sorts over the counter. If I want something I will ask for it nothing more annoying then the assistant asking you about your insurance when you only came to deposit some money.

CLAPTON

well actually, a credit card used properly is very good at building up a good credit history which will be useful when applying for a mortgage

just use it for 'normal' spending and pay in full each and every month and that will show on your credit records as some-one that handles credit well.

jonesMUFCforever

Don't shoot the messengers though - bank staff have to refer customers to ''representatives'' or face losing their job.

fozmcfc

When I rung up to get my replacement credit card activated, I was pushed 3 times about different products. PPI on repayments, Privacyguard and the 3 year insurance CCP.

I must say I wasn't impressed, particularly as I already have all 3 of these and only after firmly telling the guy I already have them and explaining what I had, did he finally say, oh yes I see you have this, that and the other.

Clearly he didn't know I had them, otherwise he wouldn't have tried to push them onto me.

What it has made me realise, is that I have been wasting money on privacyguard (£6.99) and also I no longer need the PPI on the repayments as I never spend that much on the card and I always pay it off every month.

I'm lazy unfortunately but I will get around to cancelling them and also the £80 CCP when it is up for renewal.

SpudGunner

CLAPTON wrote: »

well actually, a credit card used properly is very good at building up a good credit history which will be useful when applying for a mortgage

just use it for 'normal' spending and pay in full each and every month and that will show on your credit records as some-one that handles credit well.

well said

pmduk

Anyway, I had a quick meeting with a 'representative' or as I prefer to call him a salesman.

You've made a good start by recognising this.

chambta

All you have to do is say no.

opinions4u

Selling is an art.

Pushing products isn't.

Those who can sell without making the customer feel the way the OP did are talented.

Andystriker

"Mr Craig, Do you want a credit Card

No thanks.

It will help you get a mortgage

No thanks

You should have this ISA

No thanks

But our ISA is great

No thanks.

You should have this savings account

No thanks

It's a great savings account paying 0.000001%

No thanks.

Now I'll have the account I came in for".




Thats how you do it Craig.