Using Metro Bank Account abroad - feedback...

irishkev

proeleche wrote: »

You obviously don't understand - do you work for Metro Bank by any chance?

When I was in Hong Kong, I had £450 in the account. On checking out, I had to make a payment to the hotel for approximately £100.

I made cash withdrawals in Bangkok: 10,000 THB (approx £80); and having kept a tally of my spending (card purhcases and withdrawals), I should have had approximately £113 in the account. The meal in the restaurant was approximately £20; so I had adequate funds to cover the payment - it was declined twice.

It is clear to me that you have not read my post properly. I believe the problem is: Metro Bank authorise the payment and freeze the funds; when the merchant goes on to request the funds, Metro Bank apply the exchange rate on that particular day, but they leave the initial frozen funds frozen.

To be honest, and I don't want to be rude, but you have not read the post and you don't seem to be able to grasp the problem. Give Metro Bank a call and ask them about the problems in Thailand and Egypt - perhaps they can make it clear to you.

Hmmm. Metro Bank not wrong then. You think 10,000 THB is £80. Try around £220. Maybe it would be better if you did stay at home until you learn some currency conversion skills.

irishkev

proeleche wrote: »

I used my credit card to check into the hotel, not the debit card. I used the debit card to settle the bill for supplementaries on checking out.

I don't see how people can say I did not have enough money - after all spending (ATM withdrawals and POS transactions) before the restaurant in Bangkok, the *available funds* in the account should have been over £100(I was keeping track of all spending); going on to attempt to make a payment for £20 is not living on the edge as far as I'm concerned - others may disagree.

Perhaps I don't fully understand the exact specifics of how a debit card works, but if I have a balance of £100 and go on to spend £50, I should then have £50 left to spend. I don't think it's fair or reasonable for my bank to freeze that £50 and then remove the other £50 thus leaving £0 - which is what was happening. Furthermore, there were no such issues with using my HSBC current account or credit card: what I spent was removed only once, which is the way it should be.

On a trip to the States last year, I used a Caxton FX card: I topped it up using my debit card, the money was available instantly, and I spent what was available to spend, and when I needed more I topped it up again; I wrongly assumed that I would be able to do the same with the Metro Bank current account.

Also, I've not complained purely to make some easy money - Metro Bank did not deliver on its promises of exceptional customer service: calls not returned; not being able to provide an explanation for over 5 days. I did suffer stress and inconvenience, and I truly believe there are issues which Metro Bank need to rectify - and they have admitted this to me.

Please be assured that you don't even understand the exchange rate ot the Thai Baht. You said that you withdrew 10,000THB stating that this was about £80. Wrong it's around £220. Metro Bank should close your account.

Mishomeister

OP, whilst I truly empathize with your situation. I want to ask if Shazeem has given you his/her permission to use her name on a public website without prior consent as if not and if I was her taking in to account there aren't so many employees in Metro Bank and that there is a good chance no other people called Shazeem working for them I could possibly take a legal action against you fro something damaging my reputation

innovate

Mishomeister wrote: »

OP, whilst I truly empathize with your situation. I want to ask if Shazeem has given you his/her permission to use her name on a public website without prior consent as if not and if I was her taking in to account there aren't so many employees in Metro Bank and that there is a good chance no other people called Shazeem working for them I could possibly take a legal action against you fro something damaging my reputation

Seeing the OP dates back to almost a year ago, there is a reasonable chance that "Shazeem" isn't too bothered with what the OP says about him/her. However, if they were, what law would they refer to in their legal action?

Mishomeister

innovate wrote: »

Seeing the OP dates back to almost a year ago, there is a reasonable chance that "Shazeem" isn't too bothered with what the OP says about him/her. However, if they were, what law would they refer to in their legal action?

Data Protection Act perhaps?