Do any banks actually offer good service?

InsideInsurance

smartiedriver wrote: »

Three times in two working days? Give them a chance!

To be honest, I think I should be able to make an appointment when I walk into the branch not have to wait for someone to contact me back to make the appointment (they couldnt find the diary on Friday or Monday)

How long after going into a branch for someone to telephone to arrange an appointment time is reasonable in your book? I have to say I was more thinking 2 hours than 3 days.

smartiedriver_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

I have to say I was more thinking 2 hours than 3 days.

Really? Unlikely. I can't speak for other banks, but I have to have to my diary booked up three weeks in advance, with back to back meetings, and travel time.

There is little space left for queries about ongoing issues, filling in returns, training and coaching junior colleagues, and returning telephone calls.

If I ever manage to call someone back within about 4 hours, it's because clients have failed to attend a meeting. Otherwise, it's the end of the day if I'm lucky, or the end of tomorrow if not.

Please bear in mind, our activity targets (meetings, etc) are massive and often unachievable.

smartiedriver_2

And additionally, I manage my own diary, no-one else can book meetings into it, so if you wanted a meeting with me, I'd have to contact you to arrange it; no one else can.

Rupert_Bear

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Currently have both business and personal account with Barclays. Had nothing but trouble from them, 3 FOS complaints now open and after being told out and out lies by the Head Office complaints team its time to move elsewhere.....

RBS Group - not interested in going back there after previous bad experiences

Santendar Group - not interested at all

Also not interested in paying for my banking anymore, despite the grand names like RBS Private or Barclays Premier you get no better service.

Thought HSBC was worth a try but went in branch last week, was told someone would phone me for an appointment and no calls. Called yesterday to chase it up and was told an email would be sent and someone would call me back..... evidently they're not interested and even if they were now I dont think their customer service standards live up to mine.

Who does this leave? Is there anyone who offers both free personal and business banking (the business is very simple with all transactions done electronically) but actually give good customer service?

If I had a choice right now, I would start keeping my money under my matress but unfortunately my business is not cash based

I have always found banks excellent at taking your money.

InsideInsurance

smartiedriver wrote: »

Really? Unlikely. I can't speak for other banks, but I have to have to my diary booked up three weeks in advance, with back to back meetings, and travel time.

There is little space left for queries about ongoing issues, filling in returns, training and coaching junior colleagues, and returning telephone calls.

If I ever manage to call someone back within about 4 hours, it's because clients have failed to attend a meeting. Otherwise, it's the end of the day if I'm lucky, or the end of tomorrow if not.

Please bear in mind, our activity targets (meetings, etc) are massive and often unachievable.

I am talking about a call to arrange the meeting to open an account rather than the meeting itself.

Given they went to look for "the diary" it appears they have a central diary and that others can book into it. As usual this is a thing about managing expectations, I was told when the diary was found someone would call me. If I had been told that someone would call me within 5 days to arrange an appointment then (1) I'd probably have told then no thanks but (2) wouldn't have complained that they still hadnt made contact after 3 days. I personally don't believe the massive branch has still not found its diary after 4 days!

Plus you say you'd try by the end of that day or the next.... given I first went in branch on Friday and it is now Wednesday and still no call they haven't met your targets either

InsideInsurance

Rupert_Bear wrote: »

I have always found banks excellent at taking your money.

They sure are, which is why I was interested in HSBC as they have fee free banking for my sort of business.

Well, a week later and still no contact from HSBC. Was walking past and thought I may as well give one final try as there are no other banks appealing at all for the business side and not only could they make an appointment but the business advisor had 4 slots today free including one immediately - guess its not a surprise he's so free if no one is booking appointments for him.

So, business banking down, now to decide what to do with personal banking..... have to wait for the paid off credit cards to show first I think

WhiteHorse

notis7 wrote: »

LTSB....simple as....quite straightforward - bit slow to start of with but reliable and dependable.

A bit too keen on the hard sell these days, and with 632 branches being sold off*, now may not be a good time to go there.

*You could quite literally wake up to a letter informing you that Scumbag Plc now has your mortgage and your money. Customers will be sold along with branches.

clockworksimon

i have a co-operative current account, and find them brill to deal with, never had any complaints.

Had to close down my Natwest account though, couldn't keep on dealing with them - unhelpful to say the least...

izools

I opened my HSBC account on line. No need to visit branch.

I only visit the branch when I need to pay in a cheque. I've never had to see a personal banker.

If you have an advance or premier account their call centres are inland only.

I have to say though that finding in-branch staff that are any more than glorified salesmen is something simply unavailable on the high street these days.

Just avoid using branches for account servicing. There's not really any need. And with HSBC they have automated tellers for taking cash and cheques which are credited immediately (less clearing times for cheques of course) - so I never get the hard sell when making a deposit

I'd rate their CS as above average, but nothing overly special.

[Deleted User]

First Direct are awesome, and for business banking, the HSBC bit are great.