Co-op Cashminder feedback - Accounts opened AFTER 17th Sept 2012

alastairq

I'd like to make a point regarding Padstow's very useful post above..............

I applied for the texting service recently.

I found that, in effect, it gave me exactly the same information as the online service.

In other words...whilst it instantly showed cash withdrawals [as does the online service]...it did not show a current balance, after the debit card was used.

Which is exactly the same as the online service!

In other words, it didn't show a current balance available.

For this feature, I have only been able to obtain from a cash machine print-out!

I cancelled the service after a few weeks, getting a bit tired of receiving info on my phone which I already knew!


Maybe I signed up for the wrong service?

Or, maybe my phone was too cheap to get an 'available balance?'

minic

Same here Alastair, I registered for the text service but the balance isn't up to date and have to use the cash machine to find out how much money is in my account. It's ok in a normal month as I know what is coming in and going out but it was a bloody nightmare around Christmas when I was doing quite a lot of online shopping!

I've still got a basic Natwest account which the bank has allowed to remain open. I'm thinking I'm going to move all my DD's to Natwest and use the co-op as a savings account. I know I shouldn't complain too much, after all not many banks offer accounts to bankrupts but it is a bit of a pain how their online systems seem to be behind most other banks.

luvchocolate

I keep a book and enter everything going in to my cashminder account and debit the balance as soon as I have paid for anything, that way there is no mistaking my balance. then tick it off when I check online.....works well for me

Padstow

alastairq wrote: »

I'd like to make a point regarding Padstow's very useful post above..............

I applied for the texting service recently.

I found that, in effect, it gave me exactly the same information as the online service.

In other words...whilst it instantly showed cash withdrawals [as does the online service]...it did not show a current balance, after the debit card was used.

Which is exactly the same as the online service!

In other words, it didn't show a current balance available.

For this feature, I have only been able to obtain from a cash machine print-out!

I cancelled the service after a few weeks, getting a bit tired of receiving info on my phone which I already knew!


Maybe I signed up for the wrong service?

Or, maybe my phone was too cheap to get an 'available balance?'

Strange that, alastairq. No one has a phone cheaper than my £10 Nokia, but it does the job. Maybe you're in The Scottish Highlands and that makes a difference.

Text "balance" to 82667 but you need to register it first. I found them at the call centre very helpful. Far better than the poor people in India trying to understand me on 14p per hour.

BIB. The service I'm referring to is by request. So I have no idea why you'd be receiving unsolicited calls, if that's what's you're saying.

I have never received anything from the Co-OP bank on my phone, email or anywhere else, without me requesting it,so please explai my bold.

alastairq

So I have no idea why you'd be receiving unsolicited calls, if that's what's you're saying.

I have never received anything from the Co-OP bank on my phone, email or anywhere else, without me requesting it,so please explai my bold.

Yes, done exactly as you describe.

The information received is the balance as it existed at the opening of the day....[less, of course, any cash withdrawals, which register immediately, both on the Txt service, and the online banking service].


For example, if one makes a purchase at Tesco's, using the debit card........then immediately txt for a balance...the sum paid will not show up.

[Neither does it show on the on-line service!]...immediately go to a cash machine, and demand a balance, the transaction in Tesco will show up as a deduction from the morning's balance....much more useful.

The txt service [like the online banking service] does not give the current funds available[which a cash machine will do]...[unlike some other banking services?}


Thus...the txting service dies not give me any updated information I do not already know, from logging on to the internet service. [aside from the cash withdrawals mentioned above].

I am not referring to unsolicited calls at all........however, part of the Co-op txting service consists of weekly balance updates, [usually sent on a Friday, but the choice of day is up to the applicant]....information I already know from my daily [during the banking week] log-on to my accounts.

So...for me....the txt service really is no enhancement to my ability to control my finances.


Now...if it was to be updated to give the 'current funds available'....as the cash machine does..then I would consider it to be a 'useful' service.

tigerfeet2006

luvchocolate wrote: »

I keep a book and enter everything going in to my cashminder account and debit the balance as soon as I have paid for anything, that way there is no mistaking my balance. then tick it off when I check online.....works well for me

Yep! I have found having to go back to good old fashioned writing down has really made me focus more on what I am spanding and has helped me more than anything in keeping myself in check and knowing exactly what I can spend or not.

luvchocolate

yes the old ways are sometimes the best! I also divide all my yearly outgoings insurance, car tax etc by 12 and save that amount every month I find its best then no surprises!!