Avoid Santander at all cost, Not a bank

Midzone

I've got the 123 Current Account and Credit Card, Savings and ISA with Santander - never had a single problem. The bank has some of the best interest rates available.

All direct debits and standing orders paid correctly - any query dealt with quickly and efficiently both via the phone and the online messaging system.

I can't speak highly enough of them.

innovate

PhishFood wrote: »

I don't think I have every had an issue resolved with one phone call, which can be very tiresome but worth it for the money they give away compared to other banks

I would agree with you that having to call any bank (or any company) can be stressful - - but why would you need to call your bank about "issues" on any regular basis? I have had a Santander current account for yonks, changed to 123 current account, transferred my ISA to them, got an esaver, had a regular saver (when they still offered them), and never once needed to call them about "issues". What am I missing?

Midzone wrote: »

I've got the 123 Current Account and Credit Card, Savings and ISA with Santander - never had a single problem. The bank has some of the best interest rates available.

All direct debits and standing orders paid correctly - any query dealt with quickly and efficiently both via the phone and the online messaging system.

That's very much my experience too. The interest rates, and the cashback on the 123, are great deals. Personally, I wouldn't go as far as putting any of them overall above any of the others - - they all have strong and weak points, and these change over time. Horses for courses - - that's why I have accounts at Santander, Nationwide, Lloyds, FD, HSBC, and why I will keep reviewing where I get the best deals.

It's pretty silly to just chant "I love/hate xyz bank" on an ongoing basis because they all change their offerings all the time, and absolutely none of them will offer any of their customers special treatment in any circumstances.

PhishFood_2

innovate wrote: »

I would agree with you that having to call any bank (or any company) can be stressful - - but why would you need to call your bank about "issues" on any regular basis? I have had a Santander current account for yonks, changed to 123 current account, transferred my ISA to them, got an esaver, had a regular saver (when they still offered them), and never once needed to call them about "issues". What am I missing?

LOL - lucky you never to have a problem!

A couple of my Santander examples are:

When I transferred my ISA they incorrectly took the amount of the current year allowance, therefore I was unable to transfer any money in as the 'system' said I had used my allowance - took 5 weeks and at least 4 phone calls to sort it out

When I transferred my DDs, they set all of them up but then 2 failed to leave. The 2 companies blamed Santander and Santander blamed them, I believed them twice when they said that the next months payment would be fine until I finally manually cancelled both DDs and asked the companies to set them up again. Still no idea who was to blame but the fact remained that Santander were unable to sort it out.

Neither problem was earth shattering or a 'huge deal' - just a pain in the backside that it took so long to sort out.

I remember once with Nationwide, they paid a DD out 3 weeks after I had cancelled it. It took one phonecall, with an admission of "sorry, our mistake" - the money was back in my account within days and I got £25 compensation! That's were I think the difference is.

societys_child

Well then . .. my turn . . . I've had Giro Bank/ A&L/ Santander accounts since erm' way back when . . Never had a problem, even since Santander took over.

Recent experience with Santander:
Last month my OH found three old account books, Bradford & Bingley, A&L and Abbey (just over 200 pounds) She walked into a local Santander, they entered her name and date of birth and a couple of minutes later a list of 6 accounts appeared on the screen. (The 3 lost accounts and 3 she currently holds with them)

After correctly identifying the accounts, she was asked if she wanted the balances transferred or would she like cash? :T
Silly question really - "Gimme the cash, I'm going shopping":j

She was in the branch less than 10 minutes, fast, friendly, efficient, compare that to Halifax finding old Leeds Permanent / Liquid Gold accounts - I've given up on that.:(

Bloomberg

moshoodo1 wrote: »

I currently bank with barclays and am happy with them, i just want to open another bank account for my bills eg mobile, sky etc.

I applied for santander everyday current account and they said they will get back to me, after 3days i got an email that i have been approved and also open ISA 5 for me.

A week or so later, i received my card, pin, internet banking etc.

about 3weeks later i was trying to transfer £10 from my barclays to my new santander but i was surprised the payment was returned. i called Santander Customer service who told me you no longer have account with us and we cant tell you the reason.

not knowing that all my bills has been transfered from barclays as i said i want to switch when i applied but i was waiting for a form that i need to fill to authorised them.

I just keep receiving letters from my service provider that they are unable to take payment from barclays all direct debit cancelled lot of charges.

A letter turned up last week from santander we have completed all your switch and just fill the form, i called them again usual Indian call center you no longer have an account with us check your credit file. I checked 3CRA nothing disturbing.

Today i just received a cheque book from them, i dont even bother to call them. i will just shred it.

Santander are nothing but a cowboy, they suppose to be a daily collector not a bank. dont go near them they will just mess you up.

Why don't you have a second account with your own bank for the bills which you mentioned?

bencooke

Hi All,

I have had the worst experience with Santander trying to gain a new mortgage (I'm already a customer). The delay and frustration has resulted in our family losing a house we had made an offer on (looking for almost a year), simply because Santander lost sight of my application and didn't try hard enough to remedy the situation. The complication resulted in an offer of £200 compensation but this brings me no closer to a mortgage! I don't wish their attrotious service on my worst enemy and hope this information serves you well when making a decision about which mortgage company to choose.......

ceredigion

I find it annoying when first time posters resurrect a two year old thread to complain.
Personally I actually quite like Santander , they have given me quite a lot of money over the last two years in the form of interest .

BigAndy_79

I have been with them on two separate occasions now, so to avail of 2 x £100 switching incentives. I do agree with the constant offering of their credit card (and sometimes also mortgage products) when using their counter service being highly annoying. They also charge a quid a day even if you're just over a quid overdrawn, AND your money doesn't go in on an evening unless it is before about 8pm, which is an imconvenience for me. I make close to two quid off it each month, but I might ditch them for the M&S account some day soon. . .