Leaving FIRST DIRECT for the £100 incentive?

juanmanuelmarquez

After being with FD for 6 months, I understand that you must use FDs switching service to leave as well? (to gain £100 leaving fee) So, whats the process of leaving with First Direct? Do you need to contact them first or do you contact the new provider first?

Can anyone shed some light on this topic, anyone who has done this successfully and collected their £100 leaving fee...?

juanmanuelmarquez

Whats the best reason to use for leaving?

YorkshireBoy

juanmanuelmarquez wrote: »

Whats the best reason to use for leaving?

Poor customer service, despite giving them chance to rectify things in a timely manner to your satisfaction.

juanmanuelmarquez

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Poor customer service, despite giving them chance to rectify things in a timely manner to your satisfaction.

have you tried to get the £100 leaving incentive?

YorkshireBoy

juanmanuelmarquez wrote: »

have you tried to get the £100 leaving incentive?

I got it several years ago, following a genuine customer service issue.

I understand they've tightened up a bit now, so saying their savings interest rates (in general) are poor, their internet banking isn't as friendly/good looking as their competitors, it's costing money to ring them (all reasons I've seen posted on here previously) is unlikely to work.

stephane_2

You will need a bloody damn good reason to get the £100....so if you have not a genuine reason, you have no chance in the world...

JSR

From the FD website:

Here's how it works. We'll pay £100 per customer or joint relationship if you close your 1st Account within 12 months of opening it, as long as a monthly salary or income of £1500 or more has been paid into that account for at least six months and you haven't previously had an account with first direct. You'll also need to have used our Easyswitch service which means we'll have obtained details of your standing orders and Direct Debits from your previous bankers and arranged to transfer them for you. We'll pay the £100 into your 1st Account prior to its closure. All accounts with first direct have to be closed and your 1st Account transferred to another bank/building society.

It doesn't say anything about having to have a good reason! Switching services do not transfer out only in. So just use your new bank's switching service.

juanmanuelmarquez

thats why im asking, whether a really good answer is needed or whether anyone has tried with any old excuse, and if so was it successful?

anyone tried it?

Obsessive

I've just called them about this myself. Unfortunately I'm in the minority of people who've had bad service from them, so I want to make sure I get the £100 as compensation!

I was told all I had to do was meet the correct criteria (eg paid in £1500 a month for 6 months, had the account less than 12) and I will receive the £100. I was advised to let my new account handle the transfer process and FD will put the £100 in my account before it closes.

Although as it took 6 months for me to receive the joining incentive after many false promises, I'll believe it when I see it!

YorkshireBoy

juanmanuelmarquez wrote: »

thats why im asking, whether a really good answer is needed or whether anyone has tried with any old excuse, and if so was it successful?

anyone tried it?

I remember one poster (a flock of sheep?) got it. Use the forum search facility and I'm sure you'll find something.

But rather than plagiarise others' reasons, why not list a few of your own reasons/ideas that you think might work. What did you have in mind yourself? Have you even got a FD account (yet), or are you forward planning?

juanmanuelmarquez

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

I remember one poster (a flock of sheep?) got it. Use the forum search facility and I'm sure you'll find something.

But rather than plagiarise others' reasons, why not list a few of your own reasons/ideas that you think might work. What did you have in mind yourself? Have you even got a FD account (yet), or are you forward planning?

in long term wise, FD would not benefit me other than the incentive of joining and leaving so i joined. i also have a hsbc, barclays, halifax, and now nationwide and first direct.

my reason for leaving FD would be that the £10 monthly fee seemed ok when joining as depositing the £1k per month seemed feasible, however, now its not and i dont think i should pay £10 a month or open up a savings when im not saving, and and unable to deposit the required amount for anything that a normal current account should charge for...as there are lots of current accounts that offer the same facilities and dont charge a penny...i think this is a valid excuse!...or does it suck?