New Lloyds Vantage current account

innovate

MiserlyMartin wrote: »

Did you ring the number actually listen to the message and go through the menu to actually speak to anyone? I doubt it because if you had you would have got the fault with this service message, which you get after pressing 1 and 2 etc. Its nothing to do with dialling the wrong number or peoples phone contracts!

The 0800 numbers are again/still in perfect working order as of right now. You might get into a Q, but you get to speak to a real person on both. Perhaps they turn the numbers off out of hours - I don't think it's a 24 x 7 operation.

oldagetraveller

dar2008 wrote: »

Anyway, both times I just called the 0845 3000000 number and asked to be put through to the 'Vantage team'. (For those who need it, I'm sure there's a saynoto0870 alternative).

Or, no need for saynoto0870, from LTSB website "contact us".
"If you need to call us from abroad, or prefer not to use our 0845 number, you can also call PhoneBank® on 00 44 1733 347 007 (or 01733 347 007 if calling from the UK).":)

Spruance

Thanks for the information on the 0800 numbers. Ironically I had already spoken to someone on the phone via the 0845 300 0000 number printed at the top of my bank statement. They had said that the 4% tier would automatically be added to existing Vantage account holders but they seemed unsure of the actual start date even to the point of suggesting that it might be 30th September rather than 31st October as mentioned in the published literature. This is why I asked about it in the branch only to come up against a bureaucratic brick wall as it were.

I don't even mind Lloyds TSB cross-selling other products but if that was the main aim of this 4% Vantage tier I would have preferred that they had been upfront about it and said that if customers agreed to come to the branch for a no obligation 15 minute chat with an advisor then they would be 'rewarded' with the extra interest tier.

I'll try the 0800 route later on as it is not particualrly convenient for me to visit the branch on Monday, especially if it turns out that I do have to go as I shall be wearing my best Poker-face and saying nowt!

tuggy12

dar2008 wrote: »

I phoned this morning to upgrade the 3rd of my accounts (did the other two 2days ago as they already had the prerequisite 2 DD's on them at that time).

Anyway, both times I just called the 0845 3000000 number and asked to be put through to the 'Vantage team'. (For those who need it, I'm sure there's a saynoto0870 alternative).

My OH rang this 0845 no. today and was sorted out in about 15 minutes. They do try to sell you stuff but it's easy to say no.

The 4% will be applied to 3 Vantage accounts within 24 hours.

Steve_xx

Spruance wrote: »

They had said that the 4% tier would automatically be added to existing Vantage account holders but they seemed unsure of the actual start date even to the point of suggesting that it might be 30th September rather than 31st October as mentioned in the published literature. This is why I asked about it in the branch only to come up against a bureaucratic brick wall as it were.

The 4% rate definitely will NOT be added to Vantage accounts automatically. It requires either a branch visit or a telephone call.

Spruance

Common sense prevails at last!

Have just phoned the 0845 300 0000 number again and remembered to say nothing nor enter any details on the keypad - as suggested by the last person I spoke to on this number - as that fast tracks you through to an advisor.

Explained the situation again and was transferred to a very helpful gentleman within the Vantage team who set up the 4% tier for me and explained that this would be activated within 24 hours of my call today and which would run until 31st October 2013. Alarmingly it turns out that this was not in fact set up following my previous phone call to Lloyds TSB.

I was additionally advised that if I wished I could set up two further Vantage accounts which would still earn interest of 3% on balances of up to £5000 subject only to paying in £1000/month and without any need for active Direct Debits. This is something that I might well consider although the hassle of switching my existing DDs around is probably not worth the effort for three x 4% accounts.

The advisor also offered profuse apologies for the incorrect information supplied by the local branch (appointment now cancelled) and said that if I had any further questions for the Vantage team that I could phone on their 08000 150162 direct line.

So, my faith in Lloyds TSB is restored even though I still think that the newspaper ads were at best, misleading.

PS: I am informed that the reason that this offer was not included in the online banking system is that it isn't able to apply the limit of a maximum of three qualifying accounts per customer. I don't really see why not - surely just a question of reprogramming? - but at least it is a fairly credible reason.

Many thanks again to all contributors.

innovate

Steve_xx wrote: »

......although the hassle of switching my existing DDs around is probably not worth the effort for three x 4% accounts.

Many people didn't touch their existing DDs but set up new ones instead - - - see here for some ideas.

tsb

I received my 'upgrade to 4%' confirmation in the post today. It wasn't quite that really as the envelopes (3 off for my 3 accounts) consisted of an upgrade letter from a Classic to Vantage account (which it isn't) and bumpf about having a current account. The only thing in there relating to the 4% was a separate advert sheet with the terms and conditions as printed on the website. I telephoned on Monday to have the 4% applied. I had been into a branch but they didn't actually do anything to the accounts.
I think if anyone is unsure whether their account(s) has been marked up or not would receive some kind of letter through the post within a few days of speaking to someone at Lloyds TSB

johnmoney05

Sometimes I am just wondering how the bank employ those useless employees?! Just gave a call to LTSB this afternoon to check whether my 3 accounts have been changed to 4% vantage accounts. The lady just said, ONLY one, because you only got one account had the balance of £6,000?!! I have no idea what she has been doing for her job.

timmy53

I popped into a branch today on the off chance that they could upgrade my three Vantage accounts (two of which I am in the process of arranging DDs onto). I waited a couple of minutes for someone to look at my accounts, he did something on the computer and said that it was all done.

He asked whether I aware of the need for 2No. DDs on each account as someone he was serving yesterday wasn't, I said yes and that it was in hand. He asked if I wanted anything else to which I said no. No hard sell of other products, just did what I wanted to! Refreshing!