First Direct Bank Account- not paying joining bonus

Fluffy2

I am so upset. I joined first direct in Jan 2014. One of the reasons was to enjoy the £100 bonus on opening a bank account with them. Having had a hectic year, I didnt check receipt, and whilist looking through paperwork recently, I realised that I had never received the bonus. I called to check and have now been told I did not qualify as I had had a previous RELATIONSHIP with them. Apparently I had an ISA in 2011. My understanding was the bonus applied to a Bank accounts only, but this is not so. I did not even recall being with them for the ISA as it was so long ago. The woman said I should have looked at the two dots by the offer and that would have made it clear. At the time of setting up the account I asked when I would receive my bonus and was told it would be in the first 3 months. Alos their 6% saving is a ruse. I saved £25 a month for 1 year. So £300 in total , I got £7.79 in interest. I rang on a different occasion to quiery this and the man said ah well I cant work it out for you, it is split out so in first month it is 6 % but the next month is calculated differently so not taking into account the accumalated balence even though the bumf says calculated daily. I cant explain any better than that because I asked him to explain it again or demonstate how it was worked out and he said' I cant, no one can, its done on a computer.'' So I'm so disappointed and have decided to move elsewhere- perhaps someone may suggest a good possibility. I told the bank I would be leaving and they couldnt care less---just reiterated ''ive been here 20 years and its always been like that you should have looked at the two stars'' .

Ballard

If it states that you can't have had a previous relationship to qualify for the bonus then they've acted fairly.

As for the question about the interest, that's about right. You've had (very roughly) an average balance of £150 for a year at 6% which would work out at £9. Less 20% tax would give £7.20. This isn't exact but close enough to evidence that it's the right sum.

Fluffy2

Glad you could work it out when they can't . The account was set up by phone and I asked about the bonus before I switched, there was no mention of my previous relationship with them. So I thought nothing of it. I hadn't remembered the ISA. Also the terms and conditions I recall just said you had to complete a full switch, using their switching service and open a bank account.

grumbler

Fluffy2 wrote: »

Also the terms and conditions I recall just said you had to complete a full switch, using their switching service and open a bank account.

Their T&C have been always excluding old customers.

E.g. : First Select Account (post #6, 2014)

Many years ago I was in the same situation (ISA in the past) and specially inquired them about eligibility for a bonus. They did offer it to me, but as an exception.