Unimpressed with Nationwide

guitarman001

Opened a FlexDirect account to get 5% on up to £2.5k.

Problem is they neglected to send me a card reader which I need to set up payments to other accounts.

I ordered the card reader but I need to enter the card PIN - and guess what, they never sent me a letter with that, either!

So I go to call them but realise I never received a telephone banking number either!

Luckily what I DID receive was a card, and an internet banking password - so I'm ordering these things through the site.

What a faff!! This card reader is such a pain. The website is nowhere as easy to use as Lloyds'. And I see now FirstDirect are thinking about using card readers... are they just trying to put people off switching banks?!

Ugh...

ColdIron

I quite like NW online banking, Lloyds is OK but I wouldn't say it's better
If you've got a card reader from another bank, except HSBC, your NW card will work fine with it if you get your PIN earlier

cwal

Guitarman - I had exactly the same problems as you when I opened my account a couple of months back - fortunately my mum had a card reader and I was able to borrow it until mine eventually showed up but it was a good 3 to 4 weeks before I could actually access the account.

rb10

I find the Nationwide and Lloyds/Halifax online banking websites both about as easy as each other to use. That's probably just what you are used to.

A nice feature with Nationwide's is that you can set it to automatically go to whatever page you like when you log in (e.g. your current account statement) rather than having to click through each time.

Note that you won't often need to use the cardreader - it's only for the more 'high-risk' transactions.

typistretired

You do not say when you opened your account, for security reasons they send each item out individually.

guitarman001

Thanks for your replies, all.
I opened ~ 2 weeks ago. I've requested everything now - I just think the amount of info is excessive, and the need for this card reader...
I've now got savings/investments with Hargreaves, Lloyds, Halifax, BoS, Nationwide, NS&I, First Direct, Santander - crikey... that's a lot of info to remember!

Archi_Bald

It will be a lot more once you add TSB, a few more Building Societies, HSBC, your credit cards, Natwest, the PO, Tescos, Ulster Bank, Sainsburys, and may be a Euro and/or USD account if you travel there a lot, lol. It's brilliant to have the freedom to choose.

evenasus

guitarman001 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies, all.
I opened ~ 2 weeks ago. I've requested everything now - I just think the amount of info is excessive, and the need for this card reader...
I've now got savings/investments with Hargreaves, Lloyds, Halifax, BoS, Nationwide, NS&I, First Direct, Santander - crikey... that's a lot of info to remember!

You would find KeePass an excellent secure way of keeping all your passwords safe. I use the portable one on a USB stick - well 3 USB sticks actually. One I keep in the safe, one in my handbag and one in a cupboard.

http://keepass.info/download.html

ChopperST

We have both just opened a flex direct account and neither of us have received a card reader. Also both debit cards and pin numbers arrived in the same post on the same day. Guy on the phone didn't see what the issue was?

jackyann

I actually find NW absolutely fine, and their phone service very good. Can only speak as I find.......but i don't mind card readers (I know some hate them)

roxy28

ChopperST wrote: »

We have both just opened a flex direct account and neither of us have received a card reader. Also both debit cards and pin numbers arrived in the same post on the same day. Guy on the phone didn't see what the issue was?

My card reader was the last thing to arrive after 12 days.