opening a basic bank account

Si_Bish · 6 March 2012 at 6:21PM

Hope this helps anyone.
My credit rating is very grim and sends most pc searches into meltdown. My own useless santander could not allow me to transfer my paypal to my account. I surfed for alternatives and found a 'bank account' without checks of any sort could do this and all for 12.50 a month. I came to Martin Lewis MSE site for the answer and found barclays cash card or co op cashminder. Phoned barclays. automated response press1 blah blah, press 2 blah blah 17 minutes later i got through to my local branch to make an appointment to open the cash card account. whats your name, address, dob, you do know that there are several restrictions with this type of account? no overdraft no cheque book no credit card perhaps you would be better opening our personal account? DER!!!!
why do you think i asked for the cash card account? next appointment a week on friday but you may have to wait a bit if the previous appointment over runs.....is this ok with you? no frankly good bye. I phone co op. Straight thru to a helpful chap,i explain what i want, we go through application on phone. your application has been accepted now you need to take id to nearest branch with this ref number and you will be live then subject to this. debit card & pin will be sent on afterwards, should be with you by saturday if you get ID to bank tomorrow morning.
Thanks you Martin Lewis, thank you co op, barclays? if you entered the bank olympics you wouldnt qualify for the heat.

pmduk · 6 March 2012 at 8:53PM

Barclays staff at some branches have been reported on here telling people all sorts of things to prevent them opening this account. If that is the sort of branch you applied at you are better off with Co-op. Just remember with Co-op, it's three bounced direct debits and you're out. So be careful.