Santander switch warning

neilsims

I applied to Santander on 9th December for their edge explorer account. On 19th January the account was opened. To get the £200 incentive, you must pay in £1500 twice within 60 days. The 60 days starts when you apply, not when the account is open. How can you pay in when you have no details? Like most people, i am paid monthly so failed to meet their criteria. I complained and basically was told tough. I also have 5 direct debits with them. They say they don't meet their criteria. I rung/messaged them several times to confirm i qualified and was told i did. They can find no record of my calls. They want me to provide full names/dates/times of calls! Before i go to the ombudsman, is it worth writing to the CEO? How much does the ombudsman charge a bank for each complaint?

Woodstok2000

Its only one £1500 payment needed.

https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/documents/Santander_%C2%A3200_switcher_offer_Terms_and_conditions_COREMC0855NOV25PUBCDT.pdf

la531983

Well the first question needs to be why did it take the thick end of 40 days to open the account? There is detail missing.

flaneurs_lobster

Here's the Terms & Conditions of the "Santander £200 switcher offer" just in case……

https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/documents/Santander_%C2%A3200_switcher_offer_Terms_and_conditions_COREMC0855NOV25PUBCDT.pdf

The requirement is to pay in at least £1500 within 60 days of submitting the switch request (not the date of the application for the account nor the date that the account is opened).

Why do you think you need to pay this twice?

Were at least two of your direct debits to "household suppliers" listed on the switch website?

https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/AD_documents/Current_account_switch_incentive_Household_Direct%20Debits_list_COREMC0876NOV25PUBCD.pdf

If you met all the requirements above and you still think that you have a case then you will have to raise a formal complaint with Santander. They then have eight weeks to respond, you can then raise a case with the Ombudsman if you are not happy with the outcome.

neilsims

It took 41 days as they say 'they had a lot of applications'. Not my problem. I have 5 direct debits with them. They say they don't meet their criteria. I say they do and quote their terms. I have complained and met a blank wall. Is writing to the CEO futile? Is it true that the ombudsman charges £500 to look at a case?

flaneurs_lobster

And did any 2 of those 5 DDs pay organisations on the Santander list?

danny13579

neilsims

On 19th January the account was opened. To get the £200 incentive, you must pay in £1500 twice within 60 days. The 60 days starts when you apply, not when the account is open. 

The £1,500 has to be paid in within 60 days of requesting Santander to start your switch. Once, not twice.

How much does the ombudsman charge a bank for each complaint?

Is it true that the ombudsman charges £500 to look at a case?

Why is this even relevant?

neilsims

It is relevant as the incentive is £200 so cheaper to pay me than deal with the ombudsman if their fee is £500

danny13579

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940021#Comment_81940021

I would suggest you put more effort in to understanding the offer first, you clearly don't from what you've written in your OP. Then if you still want to go to the FOS get a letter of deadlock from Santander.

Or even easier, and more likely to be successful, get a better understanding of the switch offer and have another go at it.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940021#Comment_81940021

The fee is £650 (for each case in a year over 3).

It will not alter Santander's stance if you haven't met the criteria for the switch.

Want to answer that question about your direct debits?

M4rkOne97One

No response to the Direct Debit question from the OP. As for paying in £1,500, it's always handy to have savings to cover any initial paying in requirement.