Co-operative Refer a Friend Switching Offer £125 (Nov 2022)

trient

soulsaver said:

trient said:

masonic said:

dcs34 said:

pfpf said:

applied on 6th with a switch date of 30th Nov. got a text today saying the switch can't be started as the account isn't open yet and to phone them once the account is open to arrange the switch.

the account isn't open as i had to send certified ID which i assume they'd have got yesterday or today. there i was thinking 24 days for the switch was a long time but ok at least there was loads of time.

has anyone has this situation and and then the need be to phone the switch through or will they pickup the switch automatically once new account opened?

i'm ok but my OH struggles with these types of phone calls. her switch is a day after mine so if they get the acount open by tomorrow maybe hers will progress.

thanks.

Same situation here. My plan was to wait for the account to open, get online access, and then request the switch via online banking (unless the offer is withdrawn - if so, get on the phone!).

I don't think you can request a switch via online banking (can you?), you'd need to phone them.

Indeed. Spent 45 minutes until they picked up. 

You could request the switch as part of the ac opening process.

Was trying to avoid the artificial 7+ days they add for the account to be fully opened (i.e. allow time for card and pin to arrive -  orthogonal to the switch) but still fell into the same trap ("would you like the switch to start today? oh but system says the earliest date is xx days from now because your account is too new").

Never happened with other banks, it must be an ethical feature.

masonic

dcs34 said:

masonic said:

soulsaver said:

I'm aware of that now.. but the words to which you refer were hidden in the 'previous quotes' and gave a different the impression when viewed as is.

Strange, this is what I see:

Just to confuse the situation some more, I had requested a switch with the initial application - but timed out by the time the account was set-up.

If it's not possible to request online then I look forward to spending the weekend to the phone to them!

Yes, it's a feature that tends to be expected, as most banks want to make it as easy for people to switch to them as possible so have made that investment in an ad hoc online switching form. Clearly the requirement to phone is a barrier, especially with long wait times. This is probably due to a lack of web development resources at Coop, but at least them throwing money at us is sufficient incentive for people to persevere.

Usually, phoning as soon as the call centre opens in the morning is the best way to beat the queues.

It does make a bit of a mockery of the 7 day switching guarantee when the bank has to add in a 2 week lead time despite the new account being fully functional within 2-3 days of application, with debit card and PIN tending to arrive no more than a week thereafter. While Coop is by no means alone in doing that, other banks allow you to edit and bring forward the date of the switch through online banking once you have suitable access to your account. Those whose accounts haven't been fully opened within those 2 weeks, presumably because Coop has written to their existing bank account provider and not yet received a snail mail reply confirming KYC details, are not exactly getting a great first impression!

My switch was due to start yesterday, and I've heard nothing since the letter confirming it, so hopefully no news is good news...

bristolleedsfan

Switch completed today as expected, referral claim form just submitted with email confirmation received of submission.

masonic

masonic said:

My switch was due to start yesterday, and I've heard nothing since the letter confirming it, so hopefully no news is good news...

I did end up getting a text later that day confirming my switch would complete on the anticipated date.

pfpf

i just phoned CS to check on the status of my application having had to send verified ID last week. i was hoping for good news and maybe have an account number/sort code and maybe get the switch started.
the lad on the phone was pleasant enough (after me twice having to check he was still there after long silent moments) but the info he could provide was less than useless, could'nt even say if my ID was received.

soulsaver

pfpf said:

i just phoned CS to check on the status of my application having had to send verified ID last week. i was hoping for good news and maybe have an account number/sort code and maybe get the switch started.
the lad on the phone was pleasant enough (after me twice having to check he was still there after long silent moments) but the info he could provide was less than useless, could'nt even say if my ID was received.

@pfpf How long was the call wait queue?

blindman

soulsaver said:

pfpf said:

i just phoned CS to check on the status of my application having had to send verified ID last week. i was hoping for good news and maybe have an account number/sort code and maybe get the switch started.
the lad on the phone was pleasant enough (after me twice having to check he was still there after long silent moments) but the info he could provide was less than useless, could'nt even say if my ID was received.

@pfpf How long was the call wait queue?

I had to ring on Thursday to sort out my error (Selected a joint TSB account to switch to my Sole Co-Op one-muppet!!)

Took THREE separate calls before I got an Intelligent reply and all sorted.

Each call took over 30 minutes wait at various time during the day.

1 CS rep had never heard of TSB bank! Had no clue about switching process. 

2. CS rep thoough Nationwide and TSB had "merged" so there was no issue!

3. CS rep was excellent, polite, intelligent and sorted out two problems. She even rang me back ASAP when the line wen wierd and she could not hear me.

So I wish anyone luck if they have to ring!

pfpf

soulsaver said:

pfpf said:

i just phoned CS to check on the status of my application having had to send verified ID last week. i was hoping for good news and maybe have an account number/sort code and maybe get the switch started.
the lad on the phone was pleasant enough (after me twice having to check he was still there after long silent moments) but the info he could provide was less than useless, could'nt even say if my ID was received.

@pfpf How long was the call wait queue?

said 10 mins, answered around 12mins. didn't wait around yesterday when i first tried as it was 45mins+

soulsaver

My OH had a message to ring them re her switch. She got 'we're busy, over 30 mins wait' - she cba and (got me to) message them and email them to say 'too long a wait, RMB or use email'.

No reply. Switch due 29th.

orange-juice

Is online banking down for any co-op bank customers?