Santander incentive not paid

drod

Hi folks. I foolishly opened an account with Santander in August, tempted by the £100 incentive. It is now March and I am still chasing it up. I have phoned around 30 times, and they keep giving me a date when the money will be in my account but they never follow through. Finally I managed to get something in writing from them (although their promise in that letter was not followed through either) and it stated that switching department could not explain why they hadn't paid the incentive so the Stage 2 complaints department were processing it that day "as a gesture of goodwill".

Is it just me - I fail to see how this can be defined as a gesture of goodwill when they have admitted in writing that I do qualify for the incentive. The last time they let me down in crediting my account meant that I was £15 short to cover a direct debit. They refused the direct debit twice and now the finance company are charging me £25 x 2 (which they are quite entitled to do). Surely Santander should refund this?

Do I have a case to take to the Financial Ombudsman for compensation and are they likely to be of any help?

Thanks
Dawn

chambta

Santander tried to weasel out paying it to me to recently (on the basis it's not being used as a 'main' current account). I told the person on the phone that is wasn't acceptable to attach conditions that were not in the terms and conditions. The money went in that day.

drod

they admit that I do qualify, they just don't pay the money

drod

Got another letter today and it doesn't mention that the £100 is a "gesture of goodwill" - still need to check whether the money is in the bank. So - is it a gesture of goodwill or not??