Yorkshire Bank, Very annoying!

barryd999

I run a small business as a Sole Trader which I have being doing since 2001. Some successful times and more recently like many not so successful.

I wasn't very happy with charges my current bank was charging for all sorts of business transactions so decided to look for a better deal (every little helps as they say).

I discovered that Yorkshire bank were offering free business banking for 18 months. I live 18 miles from my nearest branch so wanted either to set it up online / over the phone are the least be sure I could walk into a branch and initiate the transfer.

"No problem" said the Yorkshire Bank representative over the phone. "Just take in three months of business statements and some photo ID and they will do it all for you!"

So in I went today with my statements and id where I was then asked questions about my turnover and business type only to then be told that I would require a solicitors letter and a letter from my accountant before they could then make an appointment to "consider" my application! Eh? I explained what I was told on the phone and the answer was exactly this. "Oh that's Rubbish, they are just the call centre and shouldn't be telling you STUFF like that". Flabbergasted I said thanks but no thanks and walked away.

So that's pretty much 3 hours out of my working day for nothing. I am annoyed because I was clearly mislead as to what is required but cannot help wondering if perhaps I didn't fit their criteria following my initial answers to their first questions. Business is bad enough without having to waste my time and getting treated like that.

barryd999

Thanks for the reply. I just find it more than odd that they could be so wrong on the help line. They must know the procedure and I explained that its not just a case of me popping out to the high street. There are a few other options if they dont want my business.

polymaff

barryd999 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I just find it more than odd that they could be so wrong on the help line. They must know the procedure and I explained that its not just a case of me popping out to the high street. There are a few other options if they dont want my business.

Well one of your options is to consider RBS Business Banking Direct. You operate it via the internet (except for paying in cheques, for which RBS supply post-paid envelopes) and my experiences are that there is about half an hour on the telephone, a sheaf of papers they send you to correct and return, a week or so delay and you're in business.

And it is free of charges for conventional transactions - indefinitely.

barryd999

polymaff wrote: »

Well one of your options is to consider RBS Business Banking Direct. You operate it via the internet (except for paying in cheques, for which RBS supply post-paid envelopes) and my experiences are that there is about half an hour on the telephone, a sheaf of papers they send you to correct and return, a week or so delay and you're in business.

And it is free of charges for conventional transactions - indefinitely.

Brilliant thanks! Will look into it.

barryd999

I give up. Despite the RBS site claiming to offer free banking to ALL businesses under their Business Direct account I called them and the rather grumpy call centre person told me that its only for New start up businesses. Cant see that in here http://www.business.rbs.co.uk/afb/public/rbs/!ut/p/c5/rZDLcqpAFEW_JR-gNE0_cAiC2CJCAz5gYikaIi9BKQS-_uK9g5ukKskk3bNedfrsvYRQGG5xaC7xob5ci0Mm7ISQ7CcbTwRsioDNdQCYA3XJ3pgSh3jgwXu-kQhgE9vDLiHQA_SH6a2wA2jvJV3J-rR3E9Ba_vouWkfrYelpt-pdx_NdZiUz5qfDe68yL2GalxUV7q-VGTMlyzubxy8v_5KAL44CfkiyEMLLMR8_onwMxgCTCRUhxpjKFIsiGYKGHz6Q53Q2FF167opaC30OP_FPInTpe_4U9eTfxA-EkO6R7Cqij1ROFTgBynRtMHttyPJSEvxfVPl31_-uC20yyFpyWZQZRAD-6q4P4glAkCAkQUQkSJGw9aOu1a7WQ1N8vkNzNUBJ8ZoWZfzW-WVmaHFrJmApNzxN6lNRFXbfHOTDlkixom5hrZ2sRjnzeZR1fBNNRayW7cLzRzd1xO8k3dXo0VGY3GMnBOWtrG45ba0Hn22d06ZeBVXTiudMRzE-ErZHJlwHUoSRM6qizm9M0zgGe-P-di0NvyY5cE6vbc1n7rPWan7Nz0KZr5slXujuoE6UpfgPm2oDww!!/dl3/d3/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/
I explained that I cannot see any reference to it not being free for existing businesses on your website and the answer was "Oh I dont know whats on the website". Eh?

After 14 years in business I can only say that if I treated my potential customers like Yorkshire Bank and RBS have treated me I wouldnt have lasted 14 weeks let alone 14 years.

polymaff

barryd999 wrote: »

I explained that I cannot see any reference to it not being free for existing businesses on your website and the answer was "Oh I dont know whats on the website". Eh?

After 14 years in business I can only say that if I treated my potential customers like Yorkshire Bank and RBS have treated me I wouldnt have lasted 14 weeks let alone 14 years.

As you say - as their website implies - and as has been my experience - they do offer accounts to both existing and new businesses. Perhaps you got a particularly jobsworthy jobsworth. Once the account is up and running it all seems to work, so might be worth another try.

As a businessman I often wonder how some of my business contacts stay in business - but then I often wonder why my customers don't do for themselves what they pay me to deliver. It breaks both ways, I guess.