Someone please instil some confidence in me.

benjdr

I need a new current around, plain and simple.
My LloydsTSB student/graduate account has served its purpose and now I want some interest on my balance!

The choices seems obvious, as pointed out in the article. Abbey and A&L, but the amount of flack they seem to have received here is extremely worrying.

So please, someone please tell me they have had good experiences with switching to either of these two accounts (using the switching service), and have received better than shoddy customer service.

Please?

sallycinnamon99

Sorry, but I have to be honest and say that I used A&L switching service, after being referred by a friend. We were both supposed to get £50 for me doing this but it never materialised. I had to send my switching details off 4 times, they kept saying they hadn't received them. On the last occasion I sent it recorded post so that they could not say this. They then took around a month to switch the direct debits and wages, meaning I was outwith their maximum time for doing this and they would not give me the money.

I telephoned them several times throughout this process and found them very unhelpful. I wrote a letter of complaint upon being told I was not getting the money to get a letter back from the manager saying they would not do anything about it. I know someone else who had this experience, though I do admit I also know 1 person who was successful with this and say they had no problems with the service.

Have never used Abbey though so can't comment on that.

Debt_Free_Chick

Can you not do the switching yourself?

With online banking, you should be able to set up replacement standing orders. Then you just need to get new DDs from the people you pay to

If fear of a switching service is putting you off getting a better account, then just do the switching yourself.

I've done this twice and it's pretty straightforward - especially if you can print off a list of all your DDs and SOs from online banking.

noh

If you open an A+L account via Quidco you will get £50 cash back. Then do the switching yourself as suggested by Debt_Free_Chick. That way you are in full control.

Nigel