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

jonplackett

I totally get why people are annoyed about this. When a bank promises one thing to begin with and then changes it it's annoying.

But...

Who is better?

Seriously. Which bank is better?

HSBC is mentioned - bunch of !!!!ing morons. They'll keep you on hold for a million years with some hopeless call centre in !!!! knows where.

Barclays are literally created by Satan to torture you to death.

Even metro bank are basically rubbish.

Santander have proper customer service. They answer the phone. They check if you transfer a big chunk of cash out your account. They're a proper bank!

If you're going to leave. Try before you go. Seriously.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

jonplackett wrote: »

I totally get why people are annoyed about this. When a bank promises one thing to begin with and then changes it it's annoying.

But...

Who is better?

Seriously. Which bank is better?

HSBC is mentioned - bunch of !!!!ing morons. They'll keep you on hold for a million years with some hopeless call centre in !!!! knows where.

Barclays are literally created by Satan to torture you to death.

Even metro bank are basically rubbish.

Santander have proper customer service. They answer the phone. They check if you transfer a big chunk of cash out your account. They're a proper bank!

If you're going to leave. Try before you go. Seriously.

Nearly spat coffee over the monitor. Thanks for the laugh.
In principle, I have no objection to paying a fair fee for business banking if the bank concerned hasn't previously made a promise that I need never do so. However, if I am to pay for business banking, it would never be to half brained <expletives> like Santander who wouldn't be able to score in a brothel.

janusdesign

Paulgonnabedebtfree wrote: »

However, if I am to pay for business banking, it would never be to half brained <expletives> like Santander who wouldn't be able to score in a brothel.

in fairness to Santander, they would happily enter into a contract with the lady concerned, fail to provide her with a satisfactory service (unfortunate turn of phrase!) and suddenly announce that she had to pay them instead.

Victor_Mildrew

Paulgonnabedebtfree wrote: »

Nearly spat coffee over the monitor. Thanks for the laugh.
In principle, I have no objection to paying a fair fee for business banking if the bank concerned hasn't previously made a promise that I need never do so. However, if I am to pay for business banking, it would never be to half brained <expletives> like Santander who wouldn't be able to score in a brothel.

Here! Here!
This is why Santander consistantly hit the bottom of all customer service polls .I only persevere with them for "Free Banking Forever":mad:

madonnamustache

janusdesign wrote: »

in fairness to Santander, they would happily enter into a contract with the lady concerned, fail to provide her with a satisfactory service (unfortunate turn of phrase!) and suddenly announce that she had to pay them instead.

Haha - FANTASTIC!

I have complained to the FSO, and have written to my MP and a lord even. In the meantime, I have applied for a free HSBC business bank account. A few things that make it look not as good as the Santander one:

- HSBC charge £6-8 for bank payments received from abroad, while this is free with Santander. As a "global" bank, I do not understand why HSBC would charge so much for this. This is on top of any intermediary bank charges

- HSBC do not offer freepost envelopes for cheque deposits

Why are small businesses penalised by big banks? Why are personal accounts free while small businesses are charged for exactly the same services, while banks earn interest on our money sitting in their accounts? :mad::wall:

magpiecottage

madonnamustache wrote: »

I have complained to the FSO, and have written to my MP

That is a good start. I have done the same. My complaint has been passed on to Lord Turner, chairman of the FSA - hopefully others will do the same.

HSBC do not offer freepost envelopes for cheque deposits

At 60 pence a time I could accept Santander wanting to withdraw this in favour of paying in elsewhere.

Why are small businesses penalised by big banks? Why are personal accounts free while small businesses are charged for exactly the same services, while banks earn interest on our money sitting in their accounts?

Because they think they can get away with it.

My little website is very basic but hopefully will inspire others to complain.

buckster

Santander don't offer freepost envelopes anymore. I ordered some and you have to pay the postage now

frittendenme

we gotta join together...

facebook.com/groups/434991753218662/

JIMBO26_3

I have just found this thread today and notice that it as been going since 16th July 1012, good old Abbey National whoops Santander have only told me today 16th August that they are putting a charge on free banking, just looking now where to change to

BusinessIsBusiness

JIMBO26 wrote: »

I have just found this thread today and notice that it as been going since 16th July 1012, good old Abbey National whoops Santander have only told me today 16th August that they are putting a charge on free banking, just looking now where to change to

That's because they are informing people in batches. They are progressively telling everyone until the end of this month. Telling 230k people in one go would cause even more problems if you think about it..