Opening Nat West account

dibs1977

My daughter opened a Nat West student account as it was supposed to be one of the best. Since mid September she has not received an ATM card or Rail card. Anyone else had this problem? They managed to send her the credit card though??!!! Spoke to someone from Nat West and they said it should take 7-10 days. The bank branch just keeps fobbing her off and saying to keep checking as there is a problem.

ka7e

My daughter has had the same problem. Account opened mid/end August, credit card turned up 3 weeks ago! No sign of Student Account details or cash card. She went slightly overdrawn on her current account last month and was really panicking. She was also worried that her chequebook and card might have been intercepted.
She has been into her local branch near her Uni and complained loudly! They say they don't know why things have been delayed so long and will try and get everything sent to her Halls address. As yet, no joy. I've suggested she go in and cry next time! They have arranged a £150 overdraft on her current a/c while she waits, but she's not sure if it's interest-free. Luckily her grant and bursary are still being paid into her current a/c - Nat West wanted her to convert it to the Student a/c, which would have made her money unavailable to her!
Being cynical, I think they have rushed out the credit cards to encourage spending by totally-broke students

dibs1977

Hi Ka7e

Thanks for your input, I totally agree with you that they are hoping to make money out of the students using credit cards.
I have told my daughter to give the bank her phone number so that they can call her. They have just told her to keep trying. she doesn't have a lot of money to call and it's 20 minutes away from her uni.
Whatever happened to customer service, it's a disgrace, as usual the banks making money out of all of us without giving any service.
Hope your problem is rectified soon, let me know and I'll let you know when she gets hers.

vyvyan_2

Same here - opened the account mid september and still waiting for the card to arrive :mad:

mouthscradle

I got my letter with my new account number and sort code today, the letter said my card and PIN will come to my new branch in a few days. I'll let you know if I get it some time this year :

natweststaffmember

With natwest student accounts the cards and books are sent to the branch where the account is held. I do know that some accounts have had problems with regards to the welcome pack being sent out to the customers. My suggestion is for your daughter to go into the branch if she doesn't have the account number because the bank can do a bank search on the name and post code to get those details. The Bank does not send out card to halls of residence as they are classed as "unsafe" addresses. They can send them to the branch nearest to the campus. THere is a railcard helpdesk which I will add to this thread hopefully over the weekend but you can get the number from the local branch. Railcard applications will still be valid up to december 2007 but it is important to get the welcome pack out.

tripleh_2

Must stick up for Natwest here. My son applied and within no time at all he had his card and pin number. Excellent!! But the Abbey......disgraceful!

nclarken

Had this very same problem when I started uni two years ago.

The problem is Natwest don't make it clear that you only get the pin and cheque book in the post (I think).

All the important stuff they hold at the bank and expect you to collect but when you register they don't really explain this.

I always got to my branch and kick up a fuss immediately if something seems off, better than waiting for weeks for post which was never sent.

mouthscradle

Went into my new branch yesterday and my card was there. However no chequebook, and no PIN, I have to wait for the PIN to be sent to my home which is annoying. Why can't they just send the card here aswell, would be much easier, and it can't possibly be for the purpose of needing ID as the amount I had to send off to open the account in the first place was ridiculous. Never had to jump through so many hoops in my life. So I have my card but still can't use it til the PIN arrives. Not even a mention of a chequebook, I'm wondering if I have to request this seperately.

flake_2

Railcard deadline is October 31st i think.

mouthscradle

Railcard deadline is December according to the letter I was sent, however the free webcam deadline was October 31st. Bit annoying how I applied for the account in about July/August but only get sent the form to apply for the webcam a week after the deadline passes. I ticked the box anyway, will have to wait and see.