Should I switch to First Direct?

Merlot

billbob wrote: »

I have been using First Direct for the past few years. The service on the phone is great and have had no problems with the bank acount. I find that the other products are very average and usually have some terms and conditions attached so I keep my credit card and savings elsewhere.

The biggest disappoint recently has been their new website which doesn't look very pretty. I was hoping for some long needed improvements to the internet banking, but that has stayed the same except for a colour change.

Your right about the website, I have been with F/D for about a month now and whilst their CS is second to none, there website is terrible, I was with Intelligent Finance for 7 years and I have got to say there website is far better but the telephone service isn't, I don't want to press 1/2 or 3, and with FD you don't. I planned on moving just for the incentive but I'm staying...why you ask, because I like the CS and the fact I can pay in over the counter at a HSBC branch, with IF, you cannot pay cash in anywhere , and I found it to be really frustrating after a while...I don't like to keep all my eggs in one basket, but IF don't seem to understand, they say you shouldn't need to pay in cash, all your accounts are linked to the current account etc. BUT I HAVE MONEY ELSEWHERE, AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT INTO IF:mad:

nickg1980

DrFluffy wrote: »

First Direct are crap! Shockingly bad CS. They never pay up either. I ended up leaving them as a result!

I agree with every word here!

They started off bad, then got worse and worse and worse,. ...

Stay well clear, they are every bit as crap as Lloyds TSB (I was shocked this was possible)!

Stay well clear of First Direct!

nickg1980

brookerbabyisababy wrote: »

There is no denying the First Direct's excellent award winning customer service. But there new card design and logo doesn't look as good as before. I think they should have stayed with the same design.

I'm denying it!

LifeofRiley_3

Hi, 1st time on any forum, so apologies if I'm doing anything I shouldn't...
I wanted the FD account for the £100/£200, but it has a cluase that you must have never banked with them before. I'm pretty sure (as a long standing stoozer) that I've had an account with them years ago. Does anyone know how far back they check?:j

pault123

Sillychuckie wrote: »

I don't know where you are all getting your information from, but I have called First Direct twice about this.
Independently, I have received the same information.

The monthly credit must be mandated from your employer, where your employer matches the details you place on the application form in the 'Employer' section.

Only if you select the fact that you are self employed would a credit from your own account be sufficient.
I went ahead and switched properly, since I don't want it going wrong. The office don't mind (takes them a minute to change the details on the computer), so I'd rather do it right for the £200.

SC

This is incorrect, as long as £1500 credits into your account per calender month you will get the £100 joining bonus (and the £100 leaving bonus should you leave)

You do have to have your salary paid in this is one of the terms. BUT the full £1500 DOESN'T have to come from your salary, a credit from another account is fine.

UPDATE : I have my account and all login credentials now, my card came through today, and my transfer of DD's list came through All very efficient :beer:

YorkshireBoy

pault123 wrote: »

This is incorrect

I don't see how you can be so dismissive Paul. Perhaps better to wait and see...and make sure there aren't any tears when they start to refuse payouts on a technicality (see below).

as long as £1500 credits into your account per calender month you will get the £100 joining bonus (and the £100 leaving bonus should you leave)

You do have to have your salary paid in this is one of the terms. BUT the full £1500 DOESN'T have to come from your salary, a credit from another account is fine.

I've read the T&C's and I'm not convinced it can be exploited like the previous Halifax & Nationwide offers.

For example, the initial £100 T&C's state...

Open a 1st Account and transfer your salary/income of at least £1500 within 3 months and we will add £100 to your account.

So, that implies to me that your salary, and/or other regular income (ie pension, benefits, etc) has to exceed £1,500 per month. To me, any 'top-up' in the form of BACS transfers, cash/cheque deposits etc, will not count towards the £1,500.

...and the exit £100 T&C's state...

We'll pay £100 per customer or joint relationship if you close your 1st Account within 12 months of opening it, as long as a salary or income of £1500 or more has been paid into that account for at least 6 months...

So, it's "salary or income", ie no mention of BACS transfers, cash/cheque deposits etc.

Before, during, and since, my application I've made a total of 6 calls to specifically check the T&C's. The 'score' at the moment is 4 FD CSA's in favour of my understanding, and 2 in favour of your understanding...all of which shows that even the FD CSA's are unsure/haven't been briefed thoroughly.

Personally, I can meet the funding requirement, but others gambling on 'winging it' may be disappointed.

Just an opinion.

pault123

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

I don't see how you can be so dismissive Paul. Perhaps better to wait and see...and make sure there aren't any tears when they start to refuse payouts on a technicality (see below). :)I've read the T&C's and I'm not convinced it can be exploited like the previous Halifax & Nationwide offers.

For example, the initial £100 T&C's state...

So, that implies to me that your salary, and/or other regular income (ie pension, benefits, etc) has to exceed £1,500 per month. To me, any 'top-up' in the form of BACS transfers, cash/cheque deposits etc, will not count towards the £1,500.

...and the exit £100 T&C's state...

So, it's "salary or income", ie no mention of BACS transfers, cash/cheque deposits etc.

Before, during, and since, my application I've made a total of 6 calls to specifically check the T&C's. The 'score' at the moment is 4 FD CSA's in favour of my understanding, and 2 in favour of your understanding...all of which shows that even the FD CSA's are unsure/haven't been briefed thoroughly.

Personally, I can meet the funding requirement, but others gambling on 'winging it' may be disappointed.

Just an opinion.

I can see your point YB, I spoke to 3 advisers and a fourth when I setup all the security. I receive a salary and a lump sum bacs payment from my other half, the adviser said this would be classed as "income" into the account and would class towards the £1500 credit per month.

I do like the cunning ploy of changing the pay in reference though in case all the advisers have it wrong

susieb

I have just left fd, it true their customer service is great, but I hate the new 1st account they have made us all have, I want interest on my current account as it is, I dont wan tto have to sweep it over to a savings account every month, its not convienant for me.

brookerbabyisababy

Account is open. received card today. Customer Service is excellent.

Redbedhead

I have been a FD customer for about 6 years now and can't fault them. My biggest problem is using HSBC machines to pay money in (you have to pay cash in at one machine and cheques in to another plus the cheque machines are difficult to get to work) but I can't really fault FD.

I currently have
a current acc
a joint acc
2 x sole everyday e-savers
2 x joint everyday e-savers
sole savings

so you can definitely get multiple of the same type of accounts from them.

My H saw the £100 offer and decided to take them up on it and has been astounded at how quickly they dealt with everything. He had his new bank card within 2 days!