changing banks

SunderlandBlackCat

sammiboo wrote:

How did you find barclays? I have found them useless tbh.

I transferred to Barclays after bad experiences with Lloyds & tbh for the first 7 years when I was making loads of money they couldn't do enough for me - anything I wanted I got.

sammiboo wrote:

When i had a serious accident and out lucky to be alive I asked them if i could reduce my loan payments for two months until I was back at work. I wasnt getting any sick pay so i was literally financially on by backside!

Thats prety much what changed things for me as well. Was nearly killed by an idiot in a car crash & could barely move for 6 months. Was self employed after spending a year backpacking around oz & had a nightmare with the insurance etc because I couldn't prove loss of income etc.

When I finally got to the point when I was physically able to get things sorted out I had already bounced off my overdraft limit & maxed out my credit cards. I asked them to convert my overdraft into a set loan so that once I started getting an income again it wasn't instantly going to be gobbled up by the overdraft but they refused but did offer me a Barclaycard

If only I knew then what I do now.

Anyway - posted my A&L direct debit transfers off this morning so I'll let you know how it goes.

crawley_girl

I shifted from Barclays to A&L about 6 months. Have had no real issues but they haven't 'wow-ed' me with anything spectacular.

They did take a while to set up direct debits and standing orders, cancelling them via Barclays and not being quick enough in setting them up their end, resulting in me not paying 2 direct debits on time. I complained and received £20 'compensation' or whatever they call it, for my financial loss.

My local branch is open something like 8am - 8pm one day a week, which could be handy I guess, but very short hours on a saturday.

Re: cash points, I use nationwide, link, natwest, lloyds, rbos, tesco personola finance and they have always been free for me.

To be honest, I hate Barclays with a passion, so any bank would be better than them!

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls

Nuclear_Tom

I recently changed to A&L. Their switching service was great, and when they transferred something too soon they didn't charge me for going over my overdraft limit!

However, I find them bloody irritating. Paying cash in at a branch doesn't show on your accound until the next working day. Saturdays don't count as working days. Their balances are woefully slow to update, and transferring between my 2 A&L current accounts online isn't instant like you'd think, it takes 2 days.

Otherwise, more than pleased.

GirlRacer_2

Thanks for your comments here. I've got 2 cardcash accounts with Halifax and no OD. Don't particularly want an OD as I'd find it too temptimg. As I said I've stuck with the Halifax as there's a branch in the village. After reading some of your comments may just stay with them. Got everything with them savings, mortgage, credit card and 2 cardcash accounts (one for DD's and one for spending) sometimes its better the devil you know .....

sammiboo

SunderlandBlackCat wrote:

. Was nearly killed by an idiot in a car crash & could barely move for 6 months.

Really sorry to read that - My car was pretty mashed up too clicky

I cant really go into details about it as its being investigated but it was due to a new wheel bearing being fitted incorrectly or it was a manufacturers fault. But Barclays were really unhelpful. As you said, when you had a lot of money in your account they love you.

I did have a lot of money in a savings account, my current account was very healthly and then as soon as the table turned they didnt want to know.

I have only stuck with them out of habit but I thought its about time i did myself a favour and break the habit.

Bluediamond

We changed to A&L after too long with an overdraft and credit card with Lloyds. Did the switching bit myself as wanted to keep in control but they have been great. Internet Banking is not as reliable as lloyds as it only updates on weekday nights but your available balance is always correct !
The best best best thing is that when you call you always get someone in this country. That speaks for itself and as for hanging on the line, forget it, they are quick to answer and always happy to help.
I thought that living without an overdraft and Visa Debit Card was going to be difficult but the Electron Card is accepted in more places than I thought and the chequebook is handy for paying bills etc.
Go for it !

sammiboo

I have found it hard to communicate with barclays, a foreign guy managed to get my account locked for 24 hours because he put the wrong digits in the telephone banking passcode. I was fuming and needed to pay urgent bills

oscar52

sammiboo wrote:

There isnt one in Oswestry

Completely off post - but i go drinking there! - Boars head, what a place!

sammiboo

oscar52 wrote:

Completely off post - but i go drinking there! - Boars head, what a place!

Off topic again - where do you live I been to the boars head once - but we go wetherspoons for food and drink cos its cheap

oscar52

oscar52 wrote:

Completely off post - but i go drinking there! - Boars head, what a place!

Edit - and we have the same b'day