Bank inviting me in for a chat...

chesky369

About 20 years ago, when I was going through a really bad financial time (the whole not-opening-the-envelope business), Lloyds 'invited' me in to discuss my life and times (more of a command actually). I must say that it helped me enormously in sorting matters out - probably the first time I'd really confronted my financial situation at all.
But that was 20 years ago - I suspect now in the same situation they'd just increase my overdraft and send me an application for a credit card.

toasterman

I went into a branch of Ltsb to pay in some cash someone had given me, about 12 months ago. The cashier took the money, typed something into her computer, her face dropped and she went "oh".
Me: whats up?
Her: oh nothing..it's just.. well my system is telling me you're still on the "classic" account, and you might be better off on a different account. Can I book you an appointment to come back and talk to us?

It took a lot of work to tell her I wasn't interested in any pay-monthly accounts with house insurance, breakdown cover, travel insurance, or any other overpriced pap included.


Better than that though, and more recently....
I opened a bank when I was about 10 years old, then many years later relocated to Bristol. When I moved, I assumed my sort code would change, but they assured me it was all centrally controlled and this wasn't important anymore. I'd keep all the same details.

After I'd been in Bristol about 4 years, I got a phone call from the new bank manager at my branch (still registered as where I originally lived - about 40miles away from where I am now) and asking if I can come in for a financial review - and could she schedule me in.

She was desparate to get me in, despite it being a stupidly long way to travel for no benefit to myself. She was desparate to sell me everything from home insurance to personal injury insurance.
That said, she was quite chatty, friendly, and some might even say..flirty. So flirty she gave me her personal mobile number, and we flirted a bit by text. Then I sent her a picture of myself...and she never replied.
All I get now is an offer of a loan by post, weekly. I've never been called with them trying to sell me anything again since.
In some ways this is good, but in some ways I can't help but feel slightly hurt about that...am I that hideous?

Pobby

Don`t do it!I had the misfortune to part with £28,000 some years ago having been given advice by some HSBC wise guy.Had to wait over 5 years to get back my cash.In fact I made a stingey 10% on that money over that time.Would have done far better in a savings account.

shelovestobuystuff

Yep,you are correct in thinking its just an excuse to get you into a small room you cant easily escape from while they try to sell you every loan,savings account and upgraded bank account with a fee that they can think off.
My local lloyds branch do it all the time at every opportunity.Even if I go to the counter to check on standing orders or because my pin isnt working they always say so and so will be down to deal with it you a moment.I am then shown to a little room where the very last thing that gets attended to is the thing I went in for in the first place.
Now I am just so to the point that I am verging on rudeness.I say,"I just came in to get a new pin ordered so if you are thinking of trying to sell me anything or help me "review my finances" save your breath because I am not interested in any of that".
Amazing how suddenly your little problem is dealt with right there and without any fuss.

missile

They can be quite pushy, my Personal Account Manager told me they have targets to meet. Tell them you have better things to do with your time and request no more marketing calls or mail.

Somerset

I'm feeling unwanted and unloved.

Lloyds never invite me into their magic little room.

King_Weasel

Somerset wrote: »

I'm feeling unwanted and unloved.

Lloyds never invite me into their magic little room.

Same here. Should I open an account with them?

DocProc

Same here. Should I open an account with them?

Probably.

With marketing techniques like that, perhaps it might be an idea to buy their shares.....?

King_Weasel

DocProc wrote: »

Probably.

With marketing techniques like that, perhaps it might be an idea to buy their shares.....?

I already have!

looby-loo_2

I agreed to speak to a Barclays advisor and was told it would take 30 mins. I went in, told him my income and savings and outgoings like baics and mortgage and I could tell that he was just about to go in for the hard sell. Then I told him I worked part time and and two children at public school and two more going soon. 60% was going on fees. It took about three minutes for him to end the interview by saying he would work out a plan and get back to me.

I never heard from him again!