First Direct overrated

NicChanna

I've just applied for a joint bank account with them online today at 1pm. After reading some of the posts here got a bit down about whether I should have bothered but I'm still waiting for a reply about whether they will accept us for an account so I decided to put them to the test. I called them on the 0113 number at 7.31pm. Answered after 2 rings, by a human being called Tom. Gave me the info I needed and was ultra perky and polite.

Think I've made a good decision, just hope we get accepted.

Anyone else had to have their app considered? I think it's cos one of us isn't from the UK/EU? Any thoughts?

Redouble

NicChanna wrote: »

I've just applied for a joint bank account with them online today at 1pm. After reading some of the posts here got a bit down about whether I should have bothered but I'm still waiting for a reply about whether they will accept us for an account so I decided to put them to the test. I called them on the 0113 number at 7.31pm. Answered after 2 rings, by a human being called Tom. Gave me the info I needed and was ultra perky and polite.

Think I've made a good decision, just hope we get accepted.

Anyone else had to have their app considered? I think it's cos one of us isn't from the UK/EU? Any thoughts?

I would presume so. My husband and I just set up a joint account and it was accepted instantly (took a bit of phoning around though as my husband is overseas with work at the moment and they wanted to ring his boss to get a number to ring my husband to confirm his job was what we said it was, but it was very easily sorted and they were very helpful.)
I am going to ring them now and see if they answer. If they don't I am going to think it is me they don't like! :rotfl:

Redouble

samwsmith1 wrote: »

That's what I'm thinking as well.
It my be worth sending them a secure message with your query and asking them to call you back between a certain time, as they always respond to these promptly.

I am beginning to think I am blacklisted! Still haven't got through on the phone and am awaiting a reply to my secure message (been just over 24 hours, I will get frustrated after 48)
Rather annoyed about the phones now to be honest. May ask my friend if I can borrow her land line and see whether my number is barred :rotfl:

meer53

Redouble wrote: »

I am beginning to think I am blacklisted! Still haven't got through on the phone and am awaiting a reply to my secure message (been just over 24 hours, I will get frustrated after 48)
Rather annoyed about the phones now to be honest. May ask my friend if I can borrow her land line and see whether my number is barred :rotfl:

Don't know which number you're ringing but you need to be using the 08456 100 100 number really. You won't have to wait.

From abroad the number is 113 234 5678.

samwsmith1

meer53 wrote: »

Don't know which number you're ringing but you need to be using the 08456 100 100 number really. You won't have to wait.

From abroad the number is 113 234 5678.

I've never had any problems with either number, the only difference being that they answer slightly differently. And you missed the 0 of the overseas number (0113 234 5678).

Idiophreak

K_P83 wrote: »

I agree. I don't actually have a problem with them, other than i think their online banking layout could do with a drastic re-design.

But they're not doing anything "above and beyond" in my eyes. It's just that other banks (Santander) are so piddle-poor that it makes banks like FD stand out, when they're only doing what they should be doing. Nothing special in that.

I believe they deserve praise, but i don't believe they deserve the over-the-top praise they seem to get on MSE.

I've not seen too much "over-the-top" praise for them, I have to say. I've heard a lot of people saying "good customer service" or "voted best for customer service" and I think both are fair.

As you say, it would be nice to think that actually calling when they say they will, answering the phone promptly, being polite and actually having a good grasp of the language is the least you could expect. But as it turns out, it's really very rare.

What is it they say? In the world of the blind...

adamc260

K_P83 wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have good customer service, but that's what i EXPECT anyway - you should get good customer service as a minimum, so they're only doing what they should be doing.
.

They're doing far more than other banks do...

My call always gets answered in about 2 rings and the person at the end of the phone can always help me.

Their internet banking does what I need... lets me see my money, move it, pay bills and open savings/new accounts etc

What else do you want from it!? =/

merlot123

Redouble wrote: »

I am beginning to think I am blacklisted! Still haven't got through on the phone and am awaiting a reply to my secure message (been just over 24 hours, I will get frustrated after 48)
Rather annoyed about the phones now to be honest. May ask my friend if I can borrow her land line and see whether my number is barred :rotfl:

I'm sorry but I don't believe you. First Direct are always contactable by phone 24/7, I have phoned them using both numbers and never had to wait. I have been a customer for almost 8 years.


Something isn't adding up here.:think:

merlot123

Idiophreak

adamc260 wrote: »

Their internet banking does what I need... lets me see my money, move it, pay bills and open savings/new accounts etc

What else do you want from it!? =/

It also doesn't require a "silly box of doom" (pinsentry etc) and there's a pretty good iPhone app, too...I always thought the online banking was one of the better features...

dave_ave

Yeah, something isn't adding up here.

I've been with FD around 20 years now - used to ring all the time in the beginning, but with the app and online banking I only occasionally do now. In all that time I have NEVER had an issue on the phone, with waiting for an answer or being put on hold too long.

I moved my mortgage to FD about 2 years ago and although their procedures seem arduous at times, they are no worse than anyone else.

They come out on top for customer service, because people like me never get a problem. Try dealing with Talktalk, or some other cheapskate company and you'll see how bad it gets.

I have an account with Barclays and all I ever get with them is "You need to write in". Never, ever get that with FD. Everything is done over the phone or on line.

If you don't like wasted paper (as a previous poster has said), go to Paperless statements.

No one comes close to FD in the banking sector, so I for one won't be moving for a while yet.