How to stop pushy staff?

J-Greens

Hi all, I know this sounds like a strange question, but it seems every-single-time I go in branch (Lloyds TSB) I'm getting pestered by staff asking me if I want a credit card because the (lack of?) security (Risk of fraud and that) of using a debit card.

I'm vehemently opposed to using cash or credit that isn't mine outright and vehemently opposed to debt, so the idea of a credit card (Even the obvious pay the balance before the end of the month isn't appealing) is pretty much a no-go. But the whole security thing makes sense. Someone getting in to the only account I have is a concern at the least.

Yet, when I do go to a branch I don't want it be sold to me everytime, it's annoying.

My question is:
1) Are they actually right and using my debit card for everything is unsafe?
2) How do stop getting pestered every time?

Ta, J.

Jaywilz

J-Greens wrote: »

My question is:
1) Are they actually right and using my debit card for everything is unsafe?
2) How do stop getting pestered every time?

Ta, J.

1. Its not unsafe to use your debit card but i believe what they are referring to is the extra protection of using a credit card if things do go wrong. I can fully appreciate why you dont want a credit card as some people see it as "credit card = BAD" but have a look into it and see if you can make it work for you.

2. I would just say tell the staff I have been asked multiple time and i do not want one. If you always go into the same branch they should stop soon.

elsien

Less to do with safety and more to do with bank staff hitting their sales targets, at a guess. Tell them to put a note on your account that you don't want to be sold anything, that's what I did.
For me the main advantage of a cc is the section 75 protection and the access to cash in an emergency. I don't think a debit card is any less safe, just less flexible.

BugsyBrowne

I want to know why you spend so much time in the bank

Biggles

J-Greens wrote: »

How do stop getting pestered every time?

Never allow them to draw you into a debate. Just say 'No'. They soon stopped asking me questions after a couple of similar encounters.

Hazzanet

J-Greens wrote: »

1) Are they actually right and using my debit card for everything is unsafe?
2) How do stop getting pestered every time?

Ta, J.

(1) There are two schools of thought out there. There are those who think that using a Credit Card for day to day use is better as if any fraud does occur, it will be the bank's money, not yours. This means that if there is any fraud that you don't spot quickly, the chances of real transactions (DDs / SOs) won't get returned unpaid because your current account has been cleared out by the men in stripey jumpers.

The other school of thought is that the Payment Service Regulations require an immediate refund of fraudulent transactions, so any reduction in balance due to fraud is short-lived anyway, however this is wholly dependent on you spotting it quickly.

(2) Just say "no thanks".

CRISPIANNE3

J-Greens wrote: »

Hi all, I know this sounds like a strange question, but it seems every-single-time I go in branch (Lloyds TSB) I'm getting pestered by staff asking me if I want a credit card because the (lack of?) security (Risk of fraud and that) of using a debit card.

I'm vehemently opposed to using cash or credit that isn't mine outright and vehemently opposed to debt, so the idea of a credit card (Even the obvious pay the balance before the end of the month isn't appealing) is pretty much a no-go. But the whole security thing makes sense. Someone getting in to the only account I have is a concern at the least.

Yet, when I do go to a branch I don't want it be sold to me everytime, it's annoying.

My question is:
1) Are they actually right and using my debit card for everything is unsafe?
2) How do stop getting pestered every time?

Ta, J.

2) Be proactive and tell them you are not interested. Be assertive.

duchy

They are probably told they have to ask each and every person. Whenever I've mystery shopped banks there's usually something like that marked as a must be asked to pass type question.

I treat it like I do the store card question -a firm No thanks and a smile-If they ask why not. I just say I'm aware of the pros and cons and it isn't for me -but it rarely goes that far.

Most staff find it a pain to have to ask even when they know it isn't appropriate -Your complaint should be with the bank marketing departments not the staff

meer53

Change banks.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/banking/9882592/HSBC-is-latest-bank-to-axe-staff-sales-targets.html

Errata

The answer to 2) is 'no thank you'. Rinse and repeat.

Hominu

I remember being asked this a few months back, they start with the marketing blurb, I replied with "I already have one, if you can beat 3% cash back on all my purchases, I will gladly switch to yours, but it appears that you offer less, so there is no incentive for me to switch. I'm not interested in air miles or equivalent point based schemes.".

They then switched tactics and started asking me about savings accounts as I had a large amount of cash in my current account. They lost that one as well - "Well, when you start offering a savings account which offers more interest than your current account, maybe I'll open on up, but until then, why would I bother?".

They've never ask me about either since. Maybe they marked my account.