First Direct Incentive Payments

camper1970

Dear All,

I recently changed my bank account after being fed up with the poor customer service and strong selling tactics of LloydsTSB plc.

I chose First Direct as they have a good track record of customer service.

Unfortunatley they promised a hassle transition of standing orders and direct debits and a £100 bonus. We changed in August 2013 but they never paid the bonus. We met there criteria on the 10th October. The told us that there computer does not always automatically pay the bonus if the software has not been triggered.
Funny how these things always work in the banks favour !!

It took five phone calls and two emails and eventually they told us that the bonus would be paid in December four months after moving banks.

We were told incorrect information on the phone although the calls were answered very quickly.

As always with large organisations it is the lone customer having to fight to get the things they are entitled too or promised.

chalky_white_3

I think I would be asking for the £100 straight away plus interest until it's paid.
At least the 4 months retrospectively as you've been waiting. That's money your not saving. (provided they give interest that is). You could argue of course you would of withdrawn the £100.00 and deposited it in another account that does bear interest.
Plus the costs for your time involve in their breach of promise. You were invited to treat or induced to take the account on with the criteria as set out in their offer.
I would record all calls to them for security purposes.
Simple tips all way's get the full name of the person your dealing with plus any extension number and log the time of your call. It can help if you can deal with the same person every time if possible.
E mails can be lost so sometimes in writing is good to back up an e mail.
Let them know upfront what you expect to charge them for your time and efforts too.

Archi_Bald

FD don't commit to a payment date, and asking for interest on what's effectively a present takes a lot of cheek.

They are dead easy to deal with, so just a call or two to nudge them if needed should all be that's required.

agrinnall

Are you sure you started the switch in August? If you did I would have expected the bonus to be £125, I started mine in September (just before the new switching system started up) and my bonus was £125, and it was paid around 6 weeks after the account was opened.