Switching from Cahoot to Santander 123

mammamoneysaver

I'm in the process of trying to switch my current account from Cahoot to Santander 123. What an absolute nightmare!! You'd think it would be straight forward switching within the same bank, right, NO most definitely wrong.

Santander are telling me that a switch from a Cahoot account has to be completed manually, and therefore will not be covered by the Switching Guarantee. This to me, seems, contrary to all of the publications on switching and details on the Cahoot/Santander website.

Concerned, as told its going to take 20 days instead of 7. Don't really want to do the switch myself as I have approx. 12 Direct Debits. But why should I when its a service the banks are advertising they offer. Also concerned that any mistakes might incur charges.

Has anyone else had similar issues? Can understand why people avoid switching banks.

Zanderman

I assume that the CASS service doesn't apply because it is, in effect, an internal switch, CASS is designed (and the service promises apply), I assume, for switching to another bank, not the same one.

I've switched lots of accounts, from bank to bank, using CASS with no problems.

davethorp

If it is because it is an internal switch you could always open an account elsewhere then switch the cahoot account over to that and then switch the account back to Santander

Ok you have to do two switches but the switch guarantee would apply as would the payment redirects

colsten

The current account switch service has never been intended, or designed, for internal switching. Nor is the switch service available for all current accounts / banks. Cahoot is an example of that. So even if you were to switch your Cahoot account to another bank, you couldn't do it using CASS. https://www.currentaccountswitch.co.uk/banksandbuildingsocieties/Pages/banks.aspx#C

Where you can use CASS, you still have to check yourself that all your DDs have been properly moved to the new account, and it's not much more work to actually switch them yourself. It's not actually hard to 'move' the DDs yourself - all you need to do is give the payee your new sort code and account number. Many payees allow you to change your bank details online.


EDIT: Although Cahoot aren't listed on the CASS site, it looks as if they are actually offering CASS. http://helpcenter.cahoot.com/_layouts/15/HelpCenterMulti/FaqDetail.aspx?pregId=152
In which case, I would go back to Santander and ask them to move my account using the CASS procedure and guarantee. If they decline, I'd move to a different bank, unless there is a really compelling reason for choosing Santander.

System

colsten wrote: »

Although Cahoot aren't listed on the CASS site, it looks as if they are actually offering CASS. http://helpcenter.cahoot.com/_layouts/15/HelpCenterMulti/FaqDetail.aspx?pregId=152
In which case, I would go back to Santander and ask them to move my account using the CASS procedure and guarantee. If they decline, I'd move to a different bank, unless there is a really compelling reason for choosing Santander.

The demand will be fruitless.

As other's have said, Cahoot IS Santander so the account isn't really being switched.

On top of that, Cahoot has been closed to new business for years, I doubt they put much investment into new functionality.

colsten

Heng_Leng wrote: »

On top of that, Cahoot has been closed to new business for years, I doubt they put much investment into new functionality.

That's why I originally thought Cahoot doesn't participate in CASS. But they do.

Heng_Leng wrote: »

The demand will be fruitless.

As other's have said, Cahoot IS Santander so the account isn't really being switched.

I couldn't care less. If Santander treat people who are switching their account away from Santander more favourably than those who are remaining their customers, they can go whistle. Either they give me at least the same service and guarantees, or I would vote with my feet. This isn't Santander-bashing, btw - I am a happy Santander account holder myself but asking for fair and equitable treatment isn't asking too much.