NOT impressed with First Direct so far....

Kendall80

Futuristic wrote: »

I think text message/call with code works better from TSB/Santander however.

Yes the TSB/Santander call/OTP method is preferable to having to hunt through a pile of card readers (and dig out debit cards).

Vortigern

Kendall80 wrote: »

Yes the TSB/Santander call/OTP method is preferable to having to hunt through a pile of card readers (and dig out debit cards).

I have a pile of card readers but I have only ever used one of them. They seem to be identical in function, differing only in the branding.

I take your point about digging out the cards. I have a heap of those.

nearlyrich

What number are you ringing to be kept holding? I have been with FD since 1992 and I can't recall ever hanging on the phone for anyone to answer, they switch on another call centre when busy. I do most of my banking on line or on my mobile these days but I have yet to find another bank that is as good as FD.

jimjames

nearlyrich wrote: »

What number are you ringing to be kept holding? I have been with FD since 1992 and I can't recall ever hanging on the phone for anyone to answer, they switch on another call centre when busy. I do most of my banking on line or on my mobile these days but I have yet to find another bank that is as good as FD.

Same here. I can't remember ever being in a queue with FD. Quite how they manage to get enough agents to always answer phones is beyond me, their scheduling is spot on in my experience.

colsten

Vortigern wrote: »

I have a pile of card readers but I have only ever used one of them. They seem to be identical in function, differing only in the branding.

I take your point about digging out the cards. I have a heap of those.

Same here, lots of cards and lots of readers and other gadgets. To be fair to the banks, they cater for people who have one account, which is the vast majority.

I have a feeling that the future lies with identification through apps, using fingerprint, face or iris recognition. I don't expect FD/HSBC to be trailblazers when it comes to technological innovation.

Mr_Goodkat

masonic wrote: »

Maybe they are all too busy on the phone reading out terms and conditions to customers they don't trust to read them online: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5353377

This could be the case!!


Long time FD customer, only very rarely speak to them on the phone but always have got an immediate answer and good service.


That was before the latest nonsense on 20 minute calls to open a regular saver though so could be in for a wait should I need to speak to them again!!

phebe3

Update....opened account at TSB at same time as First Direct, (well , within an hour!) and now have internet banking, (tried it, it works well) debit card, PIN , AND text from TSB to say my account switch request is in hand and request sent. Not even had an email let alone a text from First Direct to tell me anything, even that they have received request. am seriously thinking about not switching if this is an example of their present service.

Re the phone number, have phoned both the 0300 new customer one and the existing customer one. Did get though, after a wait, to existing customer one but even they couldn't get through to new customer one for over half an hour. Not sure what is going on re service but it's not good for me at the moment.:mad:

Re card readers, I didn't mind them as I had most regular payments pre set up with Nat West, the site was easy to use on line and we have never had any problems. I particularly like the way the numbers move automatically across as I type continually (eg:password , bank sort codes) but that's just me appreciating tiny things!:T

Doc_N

Interesting thread. As a very longstanding customer of 25+ years I've been used - until recently - to excellent customer service and pretty much immediate telephone responses.

That seems to have changed, though, and I'm currently in a queue to talk to them. Queues were never the case with First Direct.

I agree with those who have suggested it's because of the time their staff are having to waste in pointless fact finding conversations with existing customers just wanting to add a Regular Saver account.

Looks like they've put the fools in charge!

djpailo

It seems I was lucky and managed to complete the switch and get the bonus before their change policy regarding T&C reading for twenty odd minutes...

Its just a shame that I still need to open that savings account at some point though..

Dird

FD is the only bank (Lloyds, TSB, Halifax, NWide, Coop, Tesco, HSBC, M&S) to reject me so FTRITP -_