Free M&S current account - £100 in M&S vouchers if you switch

tipsychick

superrhinos wrote: »

I received confirmation of my acceptance for an account this morning after applying yesterday evening. So my next question do I need to wait until I receive my welcome pack to initiate the switch of my old account?

You'll need to wait for something to arrive by post because you'll need your M&S account number and sort code, which I don't think they provide by email. From memory, our debit cards arrived before the welcome pack and as we were keen to get the ball rolling, we used the account details from those to initiate the switch.

You'll need to phone to commence the switch. We were each on the phone at least 15-20 minutes. As YB says, you select a date in the future - think it was about 3 weeks away - but then have to wait for them to confirm the switch in writing.

You then need to phone again to confirm you definitely do want to switch and at that point M&S were able to bring the switch date forward to the next available date - think it was about 10 days away rather than 3 weeks. We were on the phone for a good 10-15 minutes the second time.

Once the switch is complete, there is a final courtesy call from M&S to make sure everything has gone smoothly. Even this call was about 5-10 minutes long!

The whole process is pretty protracted really. I just kept thinking of the M&S gift cards!

tipsychick

Strapped wrote: »

Does anyone have this account up & running yet? I am thinking of applying for one, but unlike most of you, I may actually use it lol. BUT, I need to know, whether the "internet banking" involves having to have a mobile phone (ie they text you a code when you want to do certain things like add a new payee or set up a SO). I have a Santander current account which requires this (converted from an old A&L) and it drives me mad because I live in a remote area with no mobile reception.

So - is the M&S internet banking free from the tyranny of mobile phone texts, DAK?

Ours are up and running now and mercifully there's no need for mobile phone verification at any stage! I don't think I've even provided them with a mobile number actually.

As part of registering for online banking, M&S send you one of those tokens/little calculator type things, which you need to use to generate a unique code every time you log on or do something important.

Archi_Bald

tipsychick wrote: »

As part of registering for online banking, M&S send you one of those tokens/little calculator type things, which you need to use to generate a unique code every time you log on or do something important.

Ewe yukkk! Must be like the HSBC thingy. One good reason for me not to keep this account for very long.

tipsychick

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Ewe yukkk! Must be like the HSBC thingy. One good reason for me not to keep this account for very long.

Yep, exactly the same as HSBC or First Direct. I am not a big fan either.

The website is the same as First Direct, just different livery (pink and green).

superrhinos

tipsychick wrote: »

You'll need to wait for something to arrive by post because you'll need your M&S account number and sort code, which I don't think they provide by email. From memory, our debit cards arrived before the welcome pack and as we were keen to get the ball rolling, we used the account details from those to initiate the switch.

You'll need to phone to commence the switch. We were each on the phone at least 15-20 minutes. As YB says, you select a date in the future - think it was about 3 weeks away - but then have to wait for them to confirm the switch in writing.

You then need to phone again to confirm you definitely do want to switch and at that point M&S were able to bring the switch date forward to the next available date - think it was about 10 days away rather than 3 weeks. We were on the phone for a good 10-15 minutes the second time.

Once the switch is complete, there is a final courtesy call from M&S to make sure everything has gone smoothly. Even this call was about 5-10 minutes long!

The whole process is pretty protracted really. I just kept thinking of the M&S gift cards!

Thank you very much this is very helpful. I'll sit tight until I have confirmation of account details. Hopefully it won't be delayed too much by the bank holiday.

ceredigion

superrhinos wrote: »

Thank you very much this is very helpful. I'll sit tight until I have confirmation of account details. Hopefully it won't be delayed too much by the bank holiday.

there's an account No and sort code on the letter you send back with a specimen signature , so if you really keen, you wouldn't need to wait for the debit card.

mrchiggles

innovate wrote: »

If your only issue is mobile phone reception, you could open a Club Lloyds instead. They use either mobile or landline to confirm certain transactions. Unlike M&S, they pay interest and also give you access to a nice 4% Monthly Saver. The application process at Lloyds is fast (not something you could say for M&S), the website and mobile app is modern (not sure about M&S), and if you need a Branch, Lloyds have hundreds, not just 37.

Similar applies to TSB

Lloyds don't pay a joining bonus but since that isn't your reason for changing it doesn't matter. Or you could switch to M&S for the voucher, and then to Lloyds (or TSB). Or set yourself up with an account that is just for switching purposes.

The Lloyds mobile app is modern? Is it still just a mobile website presented to look like an app rather than a "proper" app like Barclays or Natwest?

xyz123

does this M&S account require any DD/SO to be transferred to get £100 voucher!

innovate

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=65587192&postcount=66

MABLE

xyz123 wrote: »

does this M&S account require any DD/SO to be transferred to get £100 voucher!

When I phoned the switching service they advised you do not have to have any dd's or standing orders.