Switching to first direct - horrid paperwork!

MartinSpoon

Hello,

Just wanted to share a few observations on less than ideal application process for First Direct, and I why I don't think I'm going to bother

I've been with RBS since I was a child, I'm reasonably happy with the service I get, but I thought I'd switch to First Direct and pick up the free cash! I have a friend with them so we went through the 'recommendation process'. That was a bit rubbish to start with - my friend had to have First Direct post him something, then he had to post it to me, then I had to post it back to First Direct, and THEN I was sent an application form through the post. That took a week and a half.

The forms are horrid. I'm sure half of it is a consequence of the money laundering laws, and no doubt applying to any bank these days is a pain (I wouldn't know, my mum applied for my first current account and I'm still with them!), but it's still a bit rubbish. I've been on the phone to First Direct a few times already to clarify things. Their customer service on the phone, as expected, is great - but it's a shame it's not matched by their paperwork.

The form asks questions that simply don't make sense. Most baffling is a section that explains the ID required for second applicant, but nowhere on the form does it say anything about the first/sole applicant requiring to send ID. When I phone about this, I'm told I need certified copies as well - so I need to go get them signed.

I've spent at least an hour on this process in total so far, and I haven't even submitted the application form yet. I'm yet to see how the actual account transfer process goes.

Is this really worth it?????? :mad::mad::mad:

GingerBob_3

First Direct are rapidly building up a bad reputation in this respect. They are no doubt losing loads of business because of it (I hope so).


Do you have some examples of the irrelevant questions they ask?


The die-hards on here will say yes, it is worth it, and for £150 they have a point. But I would say they are best avoided - find some other bank offering the same or similar.


The demand for certified identification documents is way over the top. The blighters should be taught a lesson.

pmduk

Perhaps the multi-million pound fine they (ie their parent company) received has taught them a lesson, resulting in these forms?

denise38

I have experienced this as well. As a second applicant they want certified copies of everything . Decided that it wasnt worth the bother so will stay with RBS meantim. I have a Nationwide account and RBS was a second account anyway.

System

I'm sure you'll get some drone (on here) soon enough saying how FD and their lovely telephone manner changed their lives...

MartinSpoon

Sorry for the slow reply.

The form is weird. I wondered at first if I had a form for existing customers, because some of the questions seem to indicate that - but surely were that the case, it would ask me for an account number.

One of the questions is 'what is your authorised overdraft' - well, that can't be the one First Direct is going to give me, because I've no idea - they haven't accepted my application! But if it's my current overdraft, why do they need to know that?

Also, the laundering stuff is tricky. My wife and I have separate accounts, but we swap money to and fro quite regularly (a lot of the bills come out of my account) - it's not easy trying to include this sort of information to the level of detail required on the form.

Also, the boxes for filling in your details are some of the smallest I've come across - that might sound like a silly thing to moan about, but it certainly doesn't enhance the experience when you can't fit your address into the box provided!

The pack I received does make mention of the switch guarantee, but the main application form does not. Again, the laundering questions don't work with this. They ask what I will transfer into my account when I open it, to which I want to answer 'whatever is in my account on the switch date' but they want a figure.

As part of the application form, there's a credit card application too. I don't want their CC. But it's not obvious how you indicate that other than to leave it blank - there's no box to tick to say 'no thank you'.

So... I've decided I've can't be bothered

GingerBob_3

MartinSpoon wrote: »

Sorry for the slow reply.

The form is weird. I wondered at first if I had a form for existing customers, because some of the questions seem to indicate that - but surely were that the case, it would ask me for an account number.

One of the questions is 'what is your authorised overdraft' - well, that can't be the one First Direct is going to give me, because I've no idea - they haven't accepted my application! But if it's my current overdraft, why do they need to know that?

Also, the laundering stuff is tricky. My wife and I have separate accounts, but we swap money to and fro quite regularly (a lot of the bills come out of my account) - it's not easy trying to include this sort of information to the level of detail required on the form.

Also, the boxes for filling in your details are some of the smallest I've come across - that might sound like a silly thing to moan about, but it certainly doesn't enhance the experience when you can't fit your address into the box provided!

The pack I received does make mention of the switch guarantee, but the main application form does not. Again, the laundering questions don't work with this. They ask what I will transfer into my account when I open it, to which I want to answer 'whatever is in my account on the switch date' but they want a figure.

As part of the application form, there's a credit card application too. I don't want their CC. But it's not obvious how you indicate that other than to leave it blank - there's no box to tick to say 'no thank you'.

So... I've decided I've can't be bothered

A wise move. Hopefully someone from FD will be reading this, though I expect not.

Kendall80

MartinSpoon wrote: »

Is this really worth it?????? :mad::mad::mad:

For me it was worth it. £150 each for me and the wife. I agree that their signup/switch process is far from ideal ( among the worst in my experience). Still it was a relatively easy way to 'earn' £300. That said, your experience seems to be worse than mine (which was done online). I dont recall having to send in ID but we did have to make a few calls to listen to 10 mins or so of something or other. That was probably our proof of ID. We were also emailed 4 forms that had to be signed/returned.

steve65e

They turned me down on credit scoring. I was so exhausted by then that I was pleased to be free of them. Hopeless IT, hopeless paperwork, how are these people in business? (Lovely on the phone though :-) )

darkidoe

I always presumed the certified copies of documents was because they were a telebank and didn't have an actual branch so could only rely on professional certification of documents to verify identity and all. It's just the way they set out to do business. Once you get through the application phase, the telebanking service is superb (UK call centre), although most stuff can be done online nowadays.

takman

I never had to send any forms back to them or send any ID at all, mine was all done online. The stuff they did send me they just told me to ring back to confirm it is correct. I then paid some money into the account and have now received the £150!, Easy Money!.

But you lot must be on a great hourly wage if you can't justify spending such a small amount of time for £150!