First Direct - what are the numbers?

matttye

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Extrapolation of sample sizes doesn't prove that FD would have had a better result had they actually asked the same number of people.

You're right, it doesn't. This kind of thing is used in just about every industry you can think of though. It's a widely recognised and accepted system.

matttye

Gromitt wrote: »

I'd think the only people who find them actually better are those who need to contact them during 'out of hours' and get straight through to a human rather than an automated menu system or a "You are important to us" message on loop for 10 minutes. In the last 10 years I've never rang them, but I have left some 'secure messages', as I never believed anything was that urgent.

I'd recommend them even so, but I'd also recommend Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Nationwide and Santander, as they never ask what reason you would recommend them. I'd wouldn't recommend Santander for customer service, but I would recommend some of their products depending on what someone is after.

You're probably right. I'm not a customer myself..I happen to think Santander has the best current account and pretty much everything I need to do can be dealt with by online banking, but I haven't noticed any issues with their customer service anyway. It'd take a lot to convince me to move elsewhere.

Archi_Bald

matttye wrote: »

You're probably right. I'm not a customer myself..I happen to think Santander has the best current account and pretty much everything I need to do can be dealt with by online banking, but I haven't noticed any issues with their customer service anyway. It'd take a lot to convince me to move elsewhere.

Like you, I am happy with my 123 and won't change from it as long as it pays me cashback and interest. However, that doesn't stop me from having a First Direct current account, too - - I need it to get access to their Regular Saver, which still pays pretty good interest. That's about the only good thing I found at FD, though.

matttye

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Like you, I am happy with my 123 and won't change from it as long as it pays me cashback and interest. However, that doesn't stop me from having a First Direct current account, too - - I need it to get access to their Regular Saver, which still pays pretty good interest. That's about the only good thing I found at FD, though.

That would be the only reason I would want an account, for the regular saver. They don't want me as a customer though

The_pc_tech

I did get the mail (had the account since 2009)

They are much better phone wise than other banks on the few occasions I've had to call them but I also now have a halifax reward account for the fiver and a nationwide flexdirect for the 5%

I don't think I'd move my main account (the one my salary is paid into) elsewhere as if there is ever an issue I can get through quickly.

Stats are best avoided on stuff like this but I do think the prize draw for the 500 quid is a nice gesture though rather than the ridiculous condition halifax apply that you have to hold 5k in the account to be eligible for their draw.

Who has 5k sitting about these days unless you are well off or perhaps retired or maybe both.

Gromitt

The_pc_tech wrote: »

Who has 5k sitting about these days

I'd say a decent proportion of people on this forum have significantly more than 5K sitting around these days. Just look at these who have 3xTSB Vantage and 3xBoS Vantage, there's at least 30K straight away, and some then open Santander as well for another 20K.

I wouldn't call having 5K 'well off', I'd say it was a decent 'emergency fund', never know when the boiler is going to pack in, roof leaks, car breaks down, etc.

The_pc_tech

Slowly building up an emergency fund.