Santander Beyond Help !

backfoot

I haven't used the vent Forum before, usually trying to resolve problems with an organisation directly and with a view to helping others in the future. Energy and Finance being my background, I have good knowledge of systems and procedures.

However, I haven't ever come across an organisation beset by so much arrogance,inflexibilty and poor administration of the most simplest matters.

Needless to say,their takeover of organisations like Alliance and Leicester is nothing short of a debacle and the contrast is mindnumbingly dreadful.

Not only my substantial savings, but also those of my elderly mother,whom I assist with her savings are being moved as we speak to different homes. Never again, do I wish to ever deal with Santander as a brand or try and get help from the inept online staff they put forward as so called Customer Service.:mad:

Please avoid Santander for your own sakes ! :eek:

Widelats

Martin is talking about them on watchdog now.

paddyrg

To think I nearly moved my business banking to them! But this forum has *so many* people been screwed around by Santander, I've kept everything at Lloyds, who have done everything they say reliably!

dealer_wins

Have to agree with the OP. It took 3 days and 20+ phone calls to unblock my debit card that they blocked LOL

backfoot

To set up an account transfered from A&L to the new Santander needs proof of identity beyond that needed for Immigration.

Then they pretend your date of birth needs reconfirming,so you have to send another boatload of data.

Then when you ask them why you can't do a transfer from one part of their group to another they refuse to assist.Then out of pure vindictiveness the silly, stupid, idiot, jumped up 'assistant', locks the account for no good reason other than her own vindictiveness.

Dreadful organisation, dreadful people.

Glad to be shot of them. Can't even be bothered to complain,haven't got the necessary stamina.:eek:

No1

backfoot wrote: »

To set up an account transfered from A&L to the new Santander needs proof of identity beyond that needed for Immigration.

Then they pretend your date of birth needs reconfirming,so you have to send another boatload of data.

Then when you ask them why you can't do a transfer from one part of their group to another they refuse to assist.Then out of pure vindictiveness the silly, stupid, idiot, jumped up 'assistant', locks the account for no good reason other than her own vindictiveness.

Dreadful organisation, dreadful people.

Glad to be shot of them. Can't even be bothered to complain,haven't got the necessary stamina.:eek:

This is so very true, I have been there myself. It is beyond ANY reasonable explanation other than pure contempt and, as you say vindictiveness.

The following are NOT acceptable as proof of identity: DNA, Full Driving License (Photographic) Birth Certificate, Passport, Marriage Certificate, Voters List, Utility Bills, Known customer account holder (pre Santander ownership), Mortgage Deeds...etc., etc.

Well rid.

jjj1980

Couldn't believe the amount of stupid errors and red tape within their accounting systems that was shown up on the Watchdog programme!!

They kept their complaint team open until 11.30pm last night. Just that they believed this was necessary must be a sign that they know just hw many more accounts have been messed up!

pmduk

Frankly their complaints team need to be working 24/7 with their levels of incompetence.

fluffnutter

When large organisations take over other large organisations, there's often a period of upheaval. Migrating data from old systems to new ones will cause some customers problems. However, there are ways of keeping this to a minimum and it would appear that Santander's takeover of A&L has been a particular mess.

What the real problem is though, is their appalling customer service and lack of ability to sort things out once a mistake has been brought to their attention. That's fairly unforgivable.

pricey85

I was considering setting up a Santander current account in order to take advantage of some generous cashback offers, and the 5% interest offered on the first £2500 of savings. My understanding is, in order to take full advantage of all the offers I need to switch my pay and my dd's.

Would I be right in thinking that having my main current account with Santander may not be worth the various sign up bonuses?

fluffnutter

pricey85 wrote: »

I was considering setting up a Santander current account in order to take advantage of some generous cashback offers, and the 5% interest offered on the first £2500 of savings. My understanding is, in order to take full advantage of all the offers I need to switch my pay and my dd's.

Would I be right in thinking that having my main current account with Santander may not be worth the various sign up bonuses?

'May not be worth' in what sense? Because of the worry of bad customer service? Or because their current accounts don't pay good interest?