Why can't I by Euros?

fluffnutter

Hmm, I hear your argument dmg and whilst I agree with it in the main (there's certainly too much moaning about people who are, after all, simply doing their jobs) I kind of think that if you work in a financial institution, it's sensible to understand a little about what goes on with the FSA, legislation, etc, so that you might be able to answer customer's queries. That's just good customer service - I'd much rather someone with a bit of knowledge and interest in what they do than someone who just shrugs and says 'dunno, them's the rules'. It's really frustrating to be looked at blankly when you ask a perfectly reasonable question.

I'd be pretty cross if I went to a restaurant, asked what a particular dish was, and just got stared at by the waiter and told 'dunno, I'm not the chef'. I don't expect them to be experts but I would like them to answer some basic queries and I expect the same from my bank. It's their job! Surely they pick the odd bit up here and there??

trukdiver

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Indeed, I offered this and they had to call head office to check if it was acceptable. All they came back with was that only a driving licence or passport was acceptable. I asked, "what if I don't drive and have no need for a passport." I was then rather smugly told, "you would need a passport to go abroad to spend the money." I responded with, "it is not for me, it is for my son, who has a passport." Silence and staring into space was the reply.

I was told the same when I went to open a savings account. They have to be current and as my passport had expired, my only option was a driving licence.

fluffnutter

People aren't sheep. They need to understand why they're being asked to do something or denied something. If you don't give them an explanation they're going to get cross. And then they're just awkward customers! It's silly. Far better to do a bit of research and data gathering up front, anticipate the common queries and train your staff how to answer them. Not just tell them to say 'those are the rules'. That won't satisfy anyone with half a brain and it's no wonder that customers get annoyed.

vikingaero

Santander are barely functioning as a bank let alone a bank with a FX service.

trukdiver

Flyboy152 wrote: »

passport." I was then rather smugly told, "you would need a passport to go abroad to spend the money."

Wrong. You wouldn't need a passport if you wanted to spend them in Ireland.

Flyboy152

trukdiver wrote: »

Wrong. You wouldn't need a passport if you wanted to spend them in Ireland.

Indeed, I still wouldn't need a passport to spend them in the UK either.

mippy

trukdiver wrote: »

Wrong. You wouldn't need a passport if you wanted to spend them in Ireland.

Erm, Ireland is abroad, is it not? And you'd need a passport to go over the border.

Flyboy152

mippy wrote: »

Erm, Ireland is abroad, is it not? And you'd need a passport to go over the border.

A UK citizen does not need a passport to travel to Ireland.

fluffnutter

Flyboy152 wrote: »

A UK citizen does not need a passport to travel to Ireland.

Indeed they don't. The Eire/Northern Ireland border's not policed with checkpoints and border control! So you don't need a passport to travel into Eire.

Gavin83

You still need a form of photo identification to enter Ireland although it doesn't necessarily have to be a passport.