Banks without automated phone menus?

LittleAlien

Hallo,

I'd appreciate if anyone could advise me as to whether there are any banks out there who use real people to answer their phones straight away? My current bank insists on me jumping through an assortment of pre-recorded-'dial 1 for x, 2 for y' hoops before I get to speak to an actual representative. I've nothing against voice response per se, it's just that if I'm calling my bank it's generally because I need to do something which I'm unable to accomplish online! Is this something I could get if I upgraded to a premium bank account perhaps?

Anyone get a better service from their bank?

Thanks,

Ali

samwsmith1

First Direct - https://www.firstdirect.com
You get through to a real person in Leeds or Hamilton within 2 or 3 rings, and they're always pleasant and helpful, if they don't know the answer to anything they will go away and find out for you.
(Can you tell I'm a satisfied customer?)

auto-man

Bank of Cyprus, Halifax, Bank of Scotland also. In fact I think all banks do if you ignore the option and wait then it go straight through to person. I never use option either and always get put through after minute or two at most

auto-man

samwsmith1 wrote: »

First Direct - www.firstdirect.com
You get through to a real person in Leeds or Hamilton within 2 or 3 rings, and they're always pleasant and helpful, if they don't know the answer to anything they will go away and find out for you.
(Can you tell I'm a satisfied customer?)

shame they are part of HSBC but good account I am led to believe.

arent they hard to get one of these banks?

samwsmith1

But you don't get put straight through like First Direct do you?
First Direct don't have any menus on any of there phone numbers and you get put through to a real person without waiting for the IVRs to put you through because you haven't pressed an option/

auto-man

samwsmith1 wrote: »

But you don't get put straight through like First Direct do you?
First Direct don't have any menus on any of there phone numbers and you get put through to a real person without waiting for the IVRs to put you through because you haven't pressed an option/

bank of cyprus you do yes. Usually within 2 or 3 rings.

The others no granted but first is hard to get so as a backup for those that cant get one thats the way round it I think :beer:

Badger_Lady

First Direct are known for it. I recently worked in the retail banking sector looking at customer experience - FD always scored top of every survey, above all other banks and building societies. It's because they were built to be customer service oriented from the beginning, while other banks are constantly having to sellotape their old systems together.

Stuart_W

Co-operative Bank.

Once you've tapped in your sort code and account number, simply press # to get through to a person straight away.

Smile/Co-op and First Direct have consistently topped most customer service surveys by a long way, with the next name often significantly behind.