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Account Fee- HSBC

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rollwithit
rollwithit Posts: 22 Forumite
edited 6 June 2011 at 2:03PM in Budgeting & bank accounts
Hello,

I have an account with HSBC and have done so for 10+ years but decided to move in January to another bank due to their very shoddy any questionable 'customer service'

I some how was roped into the HSBC Advance account about 4 years ago (pre mse discovery :money:) anyway I have about £120 in there just waiting for my MOT/TAX next month and I am thinking of keeping it for my pocket money account but would like to cancel the account fee of £12.95, is there anyway I can do this online? had a snoop around my IB but couldn't see anything.

I really don't want to phone them as their customer services are in INDIA and I find quite hard to understand and if I go into branch then I am sure I will be talked out of it with some pushy clerk.

Any help would be much appreciated :D
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Comments

  • samwsmith1
    samwsmith1 Posts: 922 Forumite
    Not sure how you can cancel it, but just a thought, why not send them a message through internet banking requesting it to be cancelled.
  • Lokolo
    Lokolo Posts: 20,861 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Their customer service isn't in India 100%, it's based all around the world and depends entirely on when you call as to which country you will get.

    And you won't get pushed out of it if you just say you have no need for it and would like to cancel it, then just say no to any sales tactic they have.
  • DrSyn
    DrSyn Posts: 897 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    If you are after "Good Customer Service", I suggest First Direct.
    Switch everything to First Direct. When you are happy all is running ok, just phone HSBC and cancel the account. Just ignore any sales tactics.
  • If I remember when I was with HSBC - If you wan't to Upgrade or Downgrade a Fee Paying Account you speak with someone in the UK.

    If you are using HSBC Advance already then calling the standard Telephone Banking service SHOULD get you through to the UK Customer Service Team.

    The Indian call centre is HSBC's view of "If you don't wanna cough up and pay for your Bank Account, well you get the cheap outsourced option instead."
    David :)
    £1 of debt is too much for me!
  • opinions4u
    opinions4u Posts: 19,411 Forumite
    edited 6 June 2011 at 6:28PM
    if I go into branch then I am sure I will be talked out of it with some pushy clerk.
    Grow some balls man!
  • adamc260
    adamc260 Posts: 2,055 Forumite
    When I moved from HSBC to First Direct the guy in HSBC really tried to get me to stay with them and I just said 'Well, in a way I am still with you, so I'm quite happy with the decision I've made, thanks :)'
  • TEDDYRUKSPIN
    TEDDYRUKSPIN Posts: 1,528 Forumite
    Erm. As I tell most people. Please remember to cancel anything with a letter! Keep a copy as well!

    As for the indian comment. Why do people think that just because someone has an accent, they are from india? I can tell you now, that most of the customer service with an accent came from sheffield. Most of the other people you speak to are mostly from manila as well.
    Motto: 'If you don't ask, you don't get!!'

    Remember to say thank you to people who help you out!

    Also, thank you to people who help me out.
  • adindas
    adindas Posts: 6,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You will only pay £12.95 if you have an "Advance Account" with them whihc offer you quite a lot of benefit such as multi year family travel insurance.

    As far as I am aware you need to maintain it for at least one year, after one year, you could downgrade.

    They currently have "HSBC Bank Accoutn" which is a normal Bank A/C without fee, but you need to pay toyour account at least £500 a month to keep this a/c.

    So if you do not want to pay anymore and you already maintain your Advance A/C for at least one year than you just need to inform them that you want to downgrade it to say "HSBC Bank a/c" and it will be sorted within minutes.


    rollwithit wrote: »
    Hello,

    I have an account with HSBC and have done so for 10+ years but decided to move in January to another bank due to their very shoddy any questionable 'customer service'

    I some how was roped into the HSBC Advance account about 4 years ago (pre mse discovery :money:) anyway I have about £120 in there just waiting for my MOT/TAX next month and I am thinking of keeping it for my pocket money account but would like to cancel the account fee of £12.95, is there anyway I can do this online? had a snoop around my IB but couldn't see anything.

    I really don't want to phone them as their customer services are in INDIA and I find quite hard to understand and if I go into branch then I am sure I will be talked out of it with some pushy clerk.

    Any help would be much appreciated :D
  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,682 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Why can't you just send them a recorded delivery letter if you're so uncertain of your assertiveness in branch?
  • Mishomeister
    Mishomeister Posts: 1,080 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    The branch clerk will just put you on the telephone to the retention team as the branch staff has no targets for retaining business which has been there for a long time. The telephone customer services will transfer you to the customer retention as well, so the telephone is your only option. I you are afraid that someone will talk you off the downgrading, just say that you don't benefit of account at all as you never travel and have no car for breakdown cover, so they would have no means to talk you off.
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