Halifax - Arrrgh!!!!

SallyUK

Hi Guys

I'm having terrible problems with the Halifax at the moment.

I've been a customer there for years, and have a Cardcash account. Recently, they stopped letting me pay in my pay cheque over the counter, and insisted that I used one of their machines. (My argument was, what are they getting paid for, if they don't want to take my cheque, even though I prefer paying it in, at the counter!!!).

Anyway, on Sat 7th April, I did pay in my cheque using their machine. Then I noticed on my account, that the cheque wouldn't become available until the 18th April!!! - 11 days away!!

When I rang to ask why, (and I did realise there were some Bank hols) this is what they said - "Oh when you pay in a cheque using the machine, it always takes a few days longer to clear" - Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really wish I didn't have to use a bank account at all.

I'd love to close the account, but due to my credit history and the financial trouble my ex husband left me in, I really don't think I'd be able to open up another one, without any hassle. Anyone got any suggestions please?

Sally
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rizla155

I have just read the Halifax Bank account condition booklet it says, quote; Cheques, where paid in branch using Immediate Deposit Machine received before 5pm, you may withdraw funds 3 days later not counting the day of deposit. When paid in after 5pm, you may withdraw funds 4 days later.
11 days is totally unacceptable, suggest you have a big moan about it. I use the Halifax and have not had problems paying cheques over the counter, may differ from Branch to Branch.
Perhaps go into the Halifax and get the booklet, then let them have it.
In my experience of banking, 'Loyalty' is a word that is not used within the banking vocabulary.
Good luck.

SallyUK

Hi Rizla

Thanks for that - was this for a Cardcash account do you know please?

Sal
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Tootsie_Roll

SallyUK wrote: »

My argument was, what are they getting paid for,

How much are you paying for their service ? I'll bet it's nothing. As they say - you get what you pay for.

SallyUK

That's not the point though, is it?

I thought they were employed to work in the bank and therefore serve members of the public? No? Oh silly me for thinking that.

They're only interested in taking deposits from people who have "better class" bank accounts, they take their money over the counter, no problem at all!

It's like these checkout workers in the supermarkets who ask you - "Would you like a hand with your packing?" - jeez, it really annoys me when people working in the public sector have no customer service skills whatsoever.

Sal
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rizla155

Beg your pardon Sally.
Cardcash accounts. Quote; Using IDM in Branch received before 5pm, may withdraw 6 days later not counting day of deposit.
Using IDM in Branch after 5pm, may withdraw 7 days not counting day of deposit. They give an example. Pay in Monday, withdraw Wednesday the following week.
So I reckon on this occasion they got it right, its written in their booklet. I don't know what a Cardcash account is? If you are fortunate to pay in a £1000 a month suggest you go for the Halifax High Interest Current Account. Its offering 6.17% interest.

SallyUK

Thanks again Rizla

Unfortunately, they won't let me due to my poor credit history and the financial mess my ex husband left me in.

Thanks for your help though, it's much appreciated.

Sal
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Dithering_Dad

SallyUK wrote: »

That's not the point though, is it?

I thought they were employed to work in the bank and therefore serve members of the public? No? Oh silly me for thinking that.

They're only interested in taking deposits from people who have "better class" bank accounts, they take their money over the counter, no problem at all!

It's like these checkout workers in the supermarkets who ask you - "Would you like a hand with your packing?" - jeez, it really annoys me when people working in the public sector have no customer service skills whatsoever.

Sal
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I wouldn't want to get embroiled in an argument, but as a former public sector worker, I hate to see them maligned (especially when they're not at fault, as in this case)!!

Bank employees are not "public sector" workers, they're "Private Sector" workers - i.e. employed by a private enterprise rather than the government or Public body.

Sorry, just felt I had to throw in my 2p!

p.s. Hav you actually tried "voting with your feet" and trying different banks and have been turned down, or are you just assuming that because of your past financial problems that you will be turned down?

SallyUK

Public Sector or Private Sector - their customer services are absolutely atrocious - I've spent a fortune in phone calls over the past few months, being left on hold for long periods of time, being transferred then the phone goes dead and it's back to square one.


At the end of the day, they're still dealing with the public and they stink!

When I called in to my branch last week to withdraw a very large amount of money - (another farce, I may add!) - she started asking me questions which required me to answer with private information in relation to my security!!! She then proceeded to count the money in front of me and if it hadn't been for me asking to be taken somewhere more private, the world and everyone in it would've known all about me!!

I'm assuming that I will be turned down. If I thought I'd be given an account somewhere else, I'd be off!

I hate the fact too that in their Terms and Conditions, it states that other companies can have access to your details and start pestering you with crap etc.

Just read the other posts on here in relation to the Halifax, so glad to see it's not just me that think they stink!

Sal

jonesMUFCforever

You were lucky to go somewhere private for your withdrawal. In my bank all withdrawals are made at the counter for security reasons.

Homework

Hi Sally,

Had similar problems paying cheques into Halifax/Bank of Scotland. I am not able to get a 'good' account as I am paying back debt following a period of illness. Halifax/Bank of Scotland ask me almost everytime I am in if I want to upgrade my account. Three times I have said ok about upgrading my account and I have been turned down, the last time the printer turned me down. "I will just go and see what the printer says, .......sorry the printer says I cannot upgrade your account." I now know that until the last payment of debt is paid I will not be considered for a better account but it does not stop them asking.

I have recently opened an account with Clydesdale Bank which I think is Yorkshire Bank in England. I took in my ID, proof of income and walked out with my new sort code and account number. I explained about paying back debt and he has set a review date for when it is repaid to see about starting saving. Very nice and helpful.

It is a Readycash account with a Maestro card. I thought it would be much the same as my cardcash account but have found that money going into the account appears earlier than it did with the cardcash account. If a BACS is due to be paid on a Monday it is in my account on a Saturday morning and a weekday payment is in the account the night before. Don't know how this works but quite happy that it does. I have internet access and telephone banking.

Also, a cheque paid in before 12.30 on a Monday will generally be in the account on Friday, definitely by the Monday.

I thought the customer service was so good because I am a new customer and then realised that a branch enquiry and then a phone enquiry I made did not have my account number - they were just nice anyway.

Also, you can buy your train tickets with the Maestro card! Our local station has a £1.99 charging ATM or a half hour walk to the nearest free ATM. Now I can buy a ticket like other normal people.