Damn!!!!! How shocking can Santander be? Can't get an ISA as they've cocked up...

Nine_Lives

...my current account application.

Applied for their 3.50% ISA last week to be told as i've not had the account 3months, i don't qualify.
I kindly get told by tipsychick on here that as i'm in the switching process, yes i do qualify. Great.

Call up as i get home from work & tell the woman this. Let me check says she.
Oh there's no note on your file to say you've switched/switching etc (can't remember the exact term she used, but you get the jist).
I asked why this is. She couldn't answer. She told me again and again that i need direct debits etc set up on the account.

They are.

Did you set them up manually or go through the switching team.
I just told you, i went through the switching team!
You must've set them up manually says she as there's no note on your file and there would be if you went through the switching team.

Well someone clearly isn't doing their job then!! I can 100% assure you i have NOT set up any D/D or SO manually!! I ought to know.
I'll get in touch with the switching team says she.
Sorry says she again, the switching team shut at 6pm. I can't help you. You'll need to call the switching team on 0845-bendoverandemptyyourbankaccount-phone number.

What are their hours of business ask I.

8am - 6pm Mon-Fri

Oh brilliant, so after the latest i start work (7:30am) and at the same time i'm finishing work AT LEAST (6:00pm - we have no set finishing time, but we're finishing around 6pm these days).

That was well worth the 20mins of being on hold.
So not only am i being slapped for an ISA i'm entitled to but can't get, it also looks like i'll not be getting the £100 joining fee.

Complete jokers!!

le_loup

You've been here since September 2009 and you STILL WHENT TO SANTANDER!
I'm really sorry about your predicament but it's not as if you could not read about 10,000 reasons not to before you applied.
All that glisters is not gold.

Nine_Lives

I know how bad they get write ups, but let's be honest, we only write up when we're whinging. I know some folk have had no issues.

My "plan" was to sign up, fund it as per criteria, get my £100 then get the hell out of there, without ever having to deal with a CSA at all. It hasn't quite gone to plan.

Then i figured, nothing else is touching 3.50% for an instant access ISA. All i need to do is open it, fund it, leave it & then in 12 months switch it.

Pretty basic stuff & they can't even get this right!! I'll be on the phone to the switching team at 8am pronto tomorrow, but i suspect they'll be equally as helpful. I suspect they'll deny everything which will then involve me going to see real people in a branch (difficult when you only get SOME Saturday's off - i think my next one is 9th April, so likely i'll have missed out on the 3.50% ISA).

jen245

If you apply through quidco (or go into a branch), you get £50 if you "switch" to Halifax Rewards, plus £5 per month, if you just cycle £1000 in and out of the account, plus 3.2% on their ISA. Much less hassle than dealing with Santander

Nine_Lives

I'm already with Halifax i'm afraid. I have a solo & joint with them, plus i have "old" ISA money with them.
This years ISA is with Barclays
I have 2x Vantage accounts, both maxed out
An AA savings account with a couple £1k in.
First Direct which is getting the 8% on £300pm
A few quid in Nationwide, simply for the fact that it has the best online banking system of any i've tried & i can set up SOs on Jan 1st to happen on Dec 31st for e.g.

I applied for Santander through Quidco & have £50 from them pending. I just don't get why Santander can't simply do their job.
The phone call tomorrow shall be fun.

pmduk

You took the gamble that you would be the lucky individual that didn't have problems with them. Unfortunately you lost, cut your losses and look elsewhere. (just avoid RBS accounts in England, as santander are buying them)

Nine_Lives

Really? Damn. Are Santander going to take over the world, bringing poor banking to a home near you?!

I'll try the number in the morning & see what they come up with. If they don't want to play the game, then it'll be money out time.

pmduk

It's their best way to obtain new customers, as most people are getting wise to them. They're also buying Natwest accounts held in Scotland, so beware if you're based north of the border.

Nine_Lives

Just got off the phone to the switching team.
08456090010

I called that number & got an advisor who didn't have a clue and, shall we say, wasn't british & not very clear.
She said she'd put me through to someone & would i like the number for the switching team for future reference.
Um, no i wouldn't. I was given the number & i've got to you.
Oh ok i'll put you through.
Get someone else who didn't have a clue, who actually then puts me through to the switching team. Well done, this is what i was asking for in the first place!

They can't understand why there's no record of it on my file as it says i've switched, but they also say that whoever i called yesterday wont have access to the database.
WHAT THE FRIG GOOD IS THAT THEN??
They'll put a "switching alert" on my file so i should be good to go.

Great, because if i'm not, everything i have with Santander will get shut down!

Progress? Let's wait & see

pmduk

I think you'd be better off going regardless. Do you want this hassle every time you need to deal with customer service?

[Deleted User]

good to go
too much hassle!