Left Smile, Leaving 1st Direct - where to now?

Eserim

Hi

I left Smile (although accounts still open) due to archaic interface and now leaving First Direct due to crap service (yes I know people love them, but the £100 bribe didn't happen in 29 days, and I've been told I need to wait another 28 days, plus secure messages take over a day to get replies, and then don't appear to be saved).

So, I want to know where to try next. I HAS to have a good web interface, HAS to reply to messages on the same day - I really hate phoning people for a simple question, and HAS to be totally paperless, including credit cards (another failing of First Direct).

I have over £1500 a month to pay in and usually pay off credit cards each month on the very rare occasion that i use them, so I stick with a credit card that my bank offers for simplicity, interest rates and other stuff are only marginally important

Any suggestions?
Cheers
Eserim

Milarky

I don't think the account you are looking for exists. I find First Direct excellent because the website works so well, that I rarely have to ask for an answer to a question. If I do, I know they will answer immediately and are always helpful and well informed. (I don't think anyone's customer service is as good) And their secure messaging - although much less advanced I would use for 'non urgent' queries.

Once you move away from FD, you are looking at less customer service, however nice the website looks.

I have been pleasantly surprised by both Lloyds and Barclays. But here I am referring to the knowledge and helpfulness of branch staff - not call centre operatives.

The only 'bank' which sends pretty prompt secure messages (with some helpful backup if you need to phone) and is otherwise 'on the net' that I can think of is cahoot. OK, but I wouldn't use them as my main bank account.

Nationwide has an excellent website but diabolical customer service. What can I say? You use the product at your own 'risk' - and 9 times out of 10 it works flawlessly. That one time it doesn't? Well, I think the answer is to have more than one current account - the more the merrier - and use them for their best features (at least until current account charging is introduced)

Eserim

cheers, the thing is I don't care to call over most things, but use email/Secure messages. Little things like "where is my £100?" or "why can't I go paperless for the credit card?" - with answers taking over a day to get to me I suspect these are dealt with over-night by the same people who take the phone calls.

In these modern times, there will be more people like me who want to communicate this way, and banks should treat them with the same priority as phone calls.

Oh, well, the search continues...at least I'll get another £100 from 1st Direct when I leave, although I really wanted to stay as I had heard such good things about them, but if you make promises, like £100 in 28 days, and then fail to deliver then they only have themselves to blame.

Eserim

Eserim

skyrider007

HSBC offer a fully "Green" account with virtually no paper statement, cheque, pay-in books etc. They do respond to e-messages quite quickly (within 6 hours in most cases).

HSBC online banking is one of the best out there and it does not require you to have that annoying little gadget that NatWest and Barclays use.

As for telephone service, I find that I am being connected to a UK based call centre more often than in the past (connected to Manila or something).

Eserim

Is the HSBC credit card paperless, as that is the issue I have with First Direct, which after all is an HSBC bank.

Cheers

Eserim

tomstickland

I've got current accounts and a few unused credit cards with most of the big names.
Lloyds TSB
Halifax
A&L
Post Office

None of them are going to meet all of your "HAS TO" requirements. Sometimes you just have to work around what's available. Halifax has all accounts available for viewing including mortgage and credit cards. Lloyds TSB too.

Phoning up usually produces better results than messaging.

Eserim

So, it looks like I have to wait for the banking community to catch up, I like mesaaging as it is easy to use, I have a record (well in Smile I do, but not 1st Direct) of what I say and what the reply is.

I simply want a bank that treats all method of contact equally.

Although I'd switch to any account that had virtual money jars! Still seems to be totally missing in UK banking. I think I may just go back to Smile and their pants web site.

Cheers
Eserim

tomstickland

I've found responses to messages to be inadequate, hence the use of phone.

Hazzanet

I've found that each current account has it's good and bad points. Example:

Smile: Good = Simple interface, easy to get around. Decent telephone service when not busy. Bad = Bill payments often don't show until the next day, and internal transfers are more complicated than they need be.
Citibank: Good: Clean interface, plenty of statement detail. Bad: Bill payments take until at least 17:00 to show, telephone service is the worst I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.
Halifax: Uncomplicated system, plenty of statement detail. Bad: Same day bill payment scheduling no longer possible, cheques seem to take a long time to clear.
Norwich & Peter: Good: Great UK call centre, make you feel treated like a person not just a number. Bad: Telephone service not 24/7, internet banking is very simplistic and clunky, no database of bill payments (although I never use them).
Nationwide: Good: The best internet bank interface by a long chalk. Bad: telephone banking is automated and a bit shoddy, irritates me that stuff shows on the ministatement but you can't see full details until the next day.

Overall, I'd agree with Milarky. Nationwide are very good, until you encounter a problem at which point good luck to you. Otherwise stick with Smile or FD!

Eserim

well I replied to the "why are you leaving us" email from Smile to say that their web site sucks, but if they haveplans to improve it to say so now and I'll stay.

I'll post her if they say anything!

Eserim

tc80tc80

Silly question since I am considering going "to" First Direct. But what do you do if someone writes you a check (cheque) and you need to cash it or deposit in your account? There are no physical branches so ....

I am assuming you have to mail it to First Direct and wait for the check (cheque) to be processed or is there a better method.