FlexDirect - How do you find the "Self Service"?

JacksterD

Hey folks

I've just opened a Nationwide FlexDirect account. I've been doing some reading and on this forum everyone's talking abut the interest and overdraft deal etc, but no one's really mentioned the customer service restrictions on the account.

How do people find it? Have you ever had any issues because you couldn't use the branch or phone services?

guesswho2000

Doesn't bother me, I do everything online.

That said, I did have to pay in some cash recently - I've got a FlexAccount too, so just paid it into that, but could've been an issue - though I've got plenty of accounts at other banks which would have been happy to accept it.

The £65.65 from TCB became payable yesterday too, only two months after opening the account - very impressive.

ic

I've found the online servicing the best I've had for a bank, and the one time I've called for PIN reminder, it was all done automatically. The automated phone/online service is comprehensive.

grangeroyston

Just my little rant, but when I opened a Flexdirect, they never sent me the card PIN, and the online was always asking me to use the card reader. One day I needed to transfer some money, and you can't do it online if you haven't logged on with the card reader (i.e. I used memorable data). So I rang them up to ask them to do the transfer for me - and they won't! It's in the terms and conditions so you can't argue - even though it was their fault for not sending me the PIN. Only alternative is to go to a branch (15 miles away) or use the smartphone app. Just my little rant.
I got the PIN after a month.

Archi_Bald

grangeroyston wrote: »

....and the online was always asking me to use the card reader.

The "online" what? Online login? You can log in without a card reader.

grangeroyston wrote: »

One day I needed to transfer some money, and you can't do it online if you haven't logged on with the card reader (i.e. I used memorable data).

You can. I do it all the time since I never log on with a card reader. Mostly, for payments to new payees you must use the card reader. Sometimes you also have to use it to make payments to existing payees. It's become very random on my account when the card reader is required. But certainly it's never mandatory for logging in.

Hominu

You mean people use the FlexDirect account as a current account? :eek:

I thought everyone just used them as savings accounts and had their 'real' current account elsewhere.

System

Because the real current accounts elsewhere are so great?

Hominu wrote: »

I thought everyone just used them as savings accounts and had their 'real' current account elsewhere.

JacksterD

Hominu wrote: »

You mean people use the FlexDirect account as a current account? :eek:

I thought everyone just used them as savings accounts and had their 'real' current account elsewhere.

Good point

I was thinking of opening a FlexAccount as well and using the FlexAccount as my main account and the FlexDirect basically for savings. I think this is allowed, right?

Gromitt

JacksterD wrote: »

I was thinking of opening a FlexAccount as well and using the FlexAccount as my main account and the FlexDirect basically for savings. I think this is allowed, right?

Correct.

The only reason to use the FlexDirect as your main account is if you have less than £2,500 of cash, else it makes more sense to fill that to the top and spend cash from another account that gives you at least 3%.

rb10

JacksterD wrote: »

Have you ever had any issues because you couldn't use the branch or phone services?

You can use branches - the only restriction is that if the transaction you want to complete can be done by self-service (i.e. withdrawals of up to £300 can be done through the ATM), then you need to use self-service. If it can't be done any other way, then you can use the counter.

Similarly, you can use telephone banking - but you use the automated system if possible (otherwise you'd speak to someone). Nationwide's automated phone banking is actually quite good.

MisterMotivated

Heng_Leng wrote: »

Because the real current accounts elsewhere are so great?

Not particularly, but since the account only offers 5% interest for a year from opening, they're not a great long term prospect.