MSE News: Santander to charge for 'free' business accounts

Paulgonnabedebtfree

Susievintage wrote: »

Ah, I'm afraid that it's not easy to email - you'll need to do snail mail in order to get the written paper trail. I may be wrong, and perhaps someone has had better luck than I in getting an email response from Santander...?

But I posted my letter to the Santander complaints people - yet to receive what will doubtless be a form reply.

I gave up emailing them some years ago. I have never yet had an email response from them - even though they send out rare marketing emails from that address.
I have known more honest drug dealers than Santander. Bait and switch is despised even in the drug world.

Victor_Mildrew

"I complained by phone(0800 100801) last week & received a standard "tough luck, go to the Ombudsman" letter today.

I phoned the Ombudsman (03001239123) today & after several questions (dates, etc.) they gave me a reference number & are sending me an official OMBUDSMAN'S complaints form.

The person I spoke to seemed to have not heard about Santander's proposal.
Watch this space:mad:"

I received the ombudsman's forms today (partially filled in) & have completed & Returned them with all the evidence gleaned from you kind people on this forum( screen grabs, banking code, legal wording etc). Thank you all.
This only took 8 days from when I first read about it last week.
I urge you all to do the same.:beer:

Victor_Mildrew

Could you please post the link for the 2009 advert. Ta

Helmet_Hair wrote: »

I'm yet another person who signed up in 2005 with the Abbey to get the Free Banking Forever Tariff. I have just posted off my letter to Mr Robin Foale, suggesting that he looks at the English dictionary where he will find that the definition of forever is for all time; for always. A Google search revealed a Santander advert offering the Free Banking Forever Tarrif in 2009, so I posted that as evidence. However, as I do not expect Mr Foale to change his mind on the issue, I have voted with my feet and have begun moving my hard earned pounds from my Santander business and personal accounts to another bank. Fortunately, I am only a sole trader and I have only put up with Santanders rubbish service because I didn't have to pay bank charges. And this was the last straw! Good luck to everyone who is complaining. Let's give Santander a hard time.

bundly

I have not yet received official letter from Santander that I am to be charged for my account. Yet others have. Why is this?

janusdesign

bundly wrote: »

I have not yet received official letter from Santander that I am to be charged for my account. Yet others have. Why is this?

well i've received a letter for my main account, but not for two that have a zero balance.

it may be that they're doing them in batches, or they're slightly changing the wording following 'feedback' *coughs* that they've received so far.... I think the first is more likely than the second.

janusdesign

Justdesserts wrote: »

It's in the cerise coloured booklet entitled 'The Works' included in the Welcome Pack.

aahh - that probably got binned many years ago... i've had a number of these welcome packs over the years and got rid of most a long time back when having a clearout.

thanks for the info though.

janusdesign

Victor_Mildrew wrote: »

Could you please post the link for the 2009 advert. Ta

I don't think it's the same link, but here is what I found in Google.

http://www.mrsblog.co.uk/banks/santander/santander-bank-withdraws-free-forever-business-banking/

it interestingly also makes reference to a change in the t&c last year for accounts opened before 24 October 2011:-

Changes to your Account
Summary: This section explains that we can change the Conditions that apply to your account, the reasons why we can make changes and how we will tell you about any changes.
16.1 We can change these Conditions and the Specific Conditions:
a) to conform with or anticipate any changes in law, Codes of Practice or recommendations of the Financial Services Authority or any other appropriate regulatory authority;
b) to provide for the introduction of new or improved systems, methods of operation, services or facilities;
c) to take account of a decision by a Court, Ombudsman, Regulator or similar body;
d) to reflect general banking practice;
e) to make them clearer or more favourable to you;
f) to ensure that our business is run prudently;
g) to rectify any mistake that might be discovered in due course; or
h) for any valid reason not stated in these Conditions.

here's the link to the pdf on the Santander site..

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/StaticBS?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application/pdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1223422120866&cachecontrol=immediate&ssbinary=true&maxage=3600

I don't think that I ever received a copy of that change - either in a booklet or a letter - i'm usually pretty good at keeping the latest t&c document... does it ring a bell with anyone ?

apparently they're claiming b) and d) as their reasons for the fee change... because they're adding the tremendous new features of 'great rates of interest' and 'rewards for customer loyalty'... plus the exciting option of depositing at the post office.... these are new facilities that they can now charge for.

great where do I signup ? :T

Susievintage

janusdesign wrote: »

... plus the exciting option of depositing at the post office....

I meant to say this a while ago - what post office? My three nearest ones closed a few years ago, so actually in Cambridge we now have more Santanders than post offices!

janusdesign

Susievintage wrote: »

I meant to say this a while ago - what post office? My three nearest ones closed a few years ago, so actually in Cambridge we now have more Santanders than post offices!

where I live it's the reverse - our local Santander closed down and we've probably got 4-5 post offices closer than the nearest Santander branch.

luckily, i've got Natwest, Barclays and HSBC branches at the bottom of the road - just applied online for the free HSBC business direct account and they're calling me back on Monday to finalise the application.

btw - for anyone interested in a previous post of mine.. the cheque from a client I posted to Santander on Wednesday 25th July, arrived in the account yesterday (2nd August) - so eight days (4 working days).. previously it's been next day.

Justdesserts

bundly wrote: »

To whom should we email this letter?

Sorry, just got back! Post it to the man who wrote to us, i.e. Robin Foale, Managing Director, Santander Business Banking, Bridle Road, Bootle L30 4GB.

Change the wording a bit so it is not a standard letter and keep a copy. You might think it worth sending it recorded delivery!