Problems with B&B account?

globetrotter2007

Hi
I wonder if anyone else is sharing the same frustration as myself with teh new online B&B savings account?

The whole experience of joining up with B&B has been a nightmare. I joined on 28th Sept 2007. I still haven't had my welcome pack (oct 14th). I rang about 8 days ago and they emailed me my user name (what ever use that was!) I have had one letter saying that if I didnt deposit money into the account they would assume I did not want to save with them and would close the account! Likewsie I had an email saying the same thing asking me to send a cheque for my first deposit, to an account of which I had no control! I think not. I recently received a password through the post (still no welcome pack). I decided to deposit £250 as a start, although I did eventually intend to deposit a 5 figure sum. I did the deposit about a week ago, but initially the statement reported me having £500 in the account! interesting. It now seems to have got it self sorted. The lady on customer service could not help me as she was not allowed to get into my account but gave me a "technical number" which I would have to ring again. She did say try about 5 to 5-30pm as they were very busy and I could be waiting ages! She also said that there were only about 8 people in the customer services section ref the new account help desk.

I have found the whole experience a catalogue of errors, and one which I now feel very unsure of trusting them with my money. I think when eventually I am able to withdraw the £250, I will and forget the whole idea.

I have set up accounts with Alliance and leicester and others all of which went through superbly, I feel B&B have a long way to go and lot to learn.



I feel unable to recommend this account to anyone!

Is anyone else having similar problems?

glossy123

I agree. I applied on line and eventually had a welcome letter telling me details to access my new account, but the log on information doesn't work. Like you I am not comfortable with sending my money where I can't keep tabs on it / move it etc.

I have also had at least two e-mails telling me if they don't receive a deposit in 14 days they will assume I don't want to go ahead - it seems to me that they rather hope I won't!! (Especially with the postal strike etc.)

In response to an e-mail querying lack of access and also why it is not possible to make BACS transfers they also explained that the reason they can't do BACS is that they don't have a sort code.

Thanks to a tip on here, I have abandoned B&B and opened an a/c with Coventry BS who do have a sort code!

noh

No problems here, I applied on the 18th September got the welcome letter with the passwords etc on the 26th September. Transferred my opening deposit via DD all worked as expected.
glossy123 why would you wan't to use BACs to transfer money to BB and lose 2 or 3 days interest on the money whilst in transit when the DD system they offer results in an instant transfer with no consequential loss of interest ?
Edit: According to the T+Cs for this account it is possible to make only the initial deposit via BACS the sort code can be found in the FAQ on their site http://www.bradford-bingley.co.uk/savings/faq/index.asp#item532 so the response to your email was wrong which is not good.

Nigel

Littlepip_2

I totally agree, I've had terrible problems with B&B online savings account. I think the phrase "Victim of their own success" comes to mind.

I opened my account with ease online but heard nothing from them until a week later when they sent me two emails asking me to post out my deposit cheque by a certain date otherwise they would close the account. To be honest I thought this was a fraudulent email and ignored it because I hadn't received anything in the post. I also thought it was odd that they wanted me to send a cheque rather than do a bank transfer. Two days later I got a letter with my login ID, but the address was incorrect, quiet different to how I had typed it in on my application. I called them but just couldn't get through being kept on hold for over 10 minutes, I then gave up and sent an email. I didn't hear from that until 5 days later. In the meantime I tried to login to my account but it wasn't accepting the login ID they had given me and I knew my password was correct. I was then unable to access my account unless I called them. So again I was on the phone and kept on hold for more than 10 minutes, not speaking to anyone just hearing their standard hold message. I tried to call 4 more times during the day and evening and still the same thing, continually left on hold, not able to speak to anyone. I have now sent 4 emails to them over a period of 5 days and I've still heard nothing. Frustration just doesn't even come in to it.

I now no longer want to open the account, their customer service is terrible and I just don't trust them. I'm considering going to my local B&B to open a branch account, at least I can see and speak to people. I deal with Internet banking all the time and B&B are by far the worse company I have ever dealt with. Simply terrible! I feel very let down by B&B and think that everyone should be aware of the delays and problems that they are experiencing. Oh and I've still not had a welcome pack, had a return call, no emails or any other correspondence. .

ric2003

well FWIW, when I applied I got the welcome letter within a week, I received the email saying I had to make the deposit within 14 days, as expected - you have to state your opening deposit on the application form. I was able to log in and transfer the deposit via DD, no problems at all.

This has been by far one of the most simple accounts to open, I like the way you can enter your ID details online with the application, saves a lot of hassle with photocopying and posting it, or having to take time out to find a local branch.