Saffron BS - anyone here have a savings account or ISA with them? Good or bad?

Section62

Kim_13 said:

Barkin said:

Kim_13 said:

Barkin said:

Kim_13 said:

Barkin said:

Tunstallstoven said:

Kim_13 said:

They don’t offer electronic transfers....  

Hmm, so would that cause any problems trying to transfer in an existing ISA from another provider?  

Only in that, to initiate the transfer, you'd need to download and fill in a paper form, then post it to them.

Worth noting that is possible to bypass using the post at your end by selecting a provider to transfer to 

That's confusing things unnecessarily.

The question was about transferring TO Saffron - not from...

You would only need to send them a cheque yourself if you are also wanting to add new money to the ISA in addition to the transfer. 

I'm pretty sure (but not 100% certain) that I've funded accounts by debit card.

More recently though, I've always done it by bank transfer.

I've never had to post them a cheque.

Saffron aren’t among the providers that accept debit card funding. Faster Payment would be an option, but on a fixed product there’s a slight risk that the funding window would be closed before the account details were known. Accounts appear straight away on the online service when opened with a cheque, but I can’t recall how long it took to get that set up as a new customer (though I recall having to phone them.) At what point the new account appears online if a transfer is in progress, I can’t say.

This is one reason why it is a good idea to set up an easy access account as the first thing you do (as suggested above).  Then the funds destined for the fixed rate account can be sent to the EA account, and a phone call to Saffron's customer service can arrange a transfer from the EA account across to the fixed rate one.  As an existing customer some accounts can be opened by phone, and the transfer doen in the same call.

I also have a feeling I've made a deposit by debit card with Saffron.  They don't offer the facility on their website, but it might be (/may have been) something you could do over the phone.  IIRC Cambridge BS are similar in not having the online facility, but will take a card payment if you phone customer services.

Malchester

Have used Saffron for a while now. Yes the website is a bit basic but not that basic. You can open accounts easily enough, access is secure and I like the ability to use email or txt to get OTP. Easy to move money between accounts and deposits and withdrawals are relatively speedy for a small building society. Customer service is their crowning glory as staff are excellent and a credit to the company and the training they are given. The app is OK but don't use it as doesn't work on my phone or on a tablet. Would recommend 

OrangeBlueGreen

I find Saffron quite clunky. Their app is good (basic) but their website is always locking me out. I know my password but it seems to always be locked. I have to phone most times, they can sort it, but it takes time and often a second phone call. For instance, they reset my password but the code they give me still says no. It's not the staff's fault and they always seem kind. It's just annoying to have to play this game more or less every time. I never have any of these problems with any other institution.

They also messed up one of monthly saver maturities and moving on to a new product which again needed human intervention.

If I have to summarise them, I would say great people but probably using beyond antiquated unreliable technology.