First Direct removing online cancellation of Direct Debits from T&Cs 1 Jan 2014

rb10

Archi_Bald wrote: »

This seems a staggering backwards development - - - removing perfectly good internet functionality in 2013. Why would any bank in their right mind make it more, rather than less, difficult for their customers to cancel a DD?

I wonder how soon / long before an "HSBC company representative" will appear and say it isn't true? And then, when receiving a response, will never be seen again, like the First Direct company representative?

Furthermore, it's interesting that FD will allow you to use an HSBC machine, but HSBC won't.

It's almost more concerning if they do leave the functionality to cancel DDs on internet banking.

As if they do that, you'll never know if they've actually cancelled it, as they may turn around later and say that you didn't cancel in accordance with the T&Cs, which clearly state that you cannot use internet banking.

Archi_Bald

rb10 wrote: »

Furthermore, it's interesting that FD will allow you to use an HSBC machine, but HSBC won't.

May be "in branch" in the HSBC terms means "using an HSBC Express Bank machine".

Or, where they refer to "HSBC Express Bank machine" in the FD T&Cs, they actually mean a counter clerk, or other HSBC bod lingering in the lobby.

Or they will indeed have different terms and processes, depending on who you hold your account with.

Whichever - it doesn't seem that the HSBC lawyers have thought this through, and based on the post from the First Direct company representative, some sort of a communication breakdown appears to have occurred inside FD/HSBC.

Mr_K

Think this thread is a bit of a red herring.

They've denied they are withdrawing the facility (post 50). The T&C's are badly written and have been misinterpreted. Really think that there's all there is to it. They should probably reissue them, written in English and sack whoever wrote them.

Archi_Bald

Mr_K wrote: »

Think this thread is a bit of a red herring.

They've denied they are withdrawing the facility (post 50). The T&C's are badly written and have been misinterpreted. Really think that there's all there is to it. They should probably reissue them, written in English and sack whoever wrote them.

"They" haven't denied anything. One lonesome "First Direct company representative" has posted something on an internet forum that isn't in line with what FD have formally communicated to their customers, in writing. The T&Cs available to anyone as of right now on the FD website are still in line with what the OP reported.

This thread isn't a red herring, it's mainly only quoting facts communicated by FD and HSBC about changes to their T&Cs. The T&Cs rule.

The T&Cs may have been badly written but they cannot possibly be misinterpreted. They say what they say. As simple as that. If you disagree, please say how they can be misinterpreted. And also say why any bank would publish T&Cs than can be misinterpreted.

I do agree though, sack whoever wrote those T&Cs. And the First Direct company representative, whilst you are at it.

Mr_K

Well I suppose they should reissue the T&C's - another load of junk mail for millions of FD/HSBC customers, another part of the rain forest gone.

I 'think' they intended to say its not always possible to cancel a DD if its due tomorrow (although the words don't say that at all). This was always the case afaik, so why they felt the need to confuse everyone with restating the obvious god only knows. Utter clowns.

roxy28

Bit of a change of subject, i have to post some account info back to first direct there is a HSBC close to me, would i be able to give it to that branch like internal post?. my first direct current account is addressed to this hsbc branch. thought i would ask here first.

Tahlullah

Yes, you can. Adress the envelope to F D.

roxy28

Tahlullah wrote: »

Yes, you can. Adress the envelope to F D.

Ok thanks. I dropped it off in the local HSBC branch this morning to counter staff.

EarthBoy

Internal post from HSBC to First Direct might not be any quicker than using the Royal Mail, and could even take longer, so don't rely on it if your letter is something urgent.

I once dropped something in at a Co-op Bank branch to be forwarded to their business accounts department. They were happy to send it, but they advised that they only send such post once a week.