Bank advice stupidities
Bank advice stupidities
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lowdrag

Original Poster:

13,113 posts

230 months

Friday 16th September 2011
quotequote all
Today I rang LloydsTSB (obviously, horrendous music, tinnily played, with a wait of a minimum of five minutes) to ask what instant access account they had available. Finally, Chloe, poor girl, took my call. Now let me make it clear that my rant isn't against her, but against the bank. Anyway, she quoted me an interest rate and I asked if that was gross or nett. Silence; then she explained that interest was paid monthly. I repeated the question. She again answered that the interest was paid monthly, but that it was the equivalent of 2.42% annually. As an ex-IFA I lost patience, and it turned out that she had been so badly trained that she thought that gross was annual and nett was monthly. I explained to her what the question meant, and asked her to send me the forms by email to set the account up. I haven't had them yet, needless to say. I did get a ring back from one of the "service team" who said that the poor girl was flustered by my question. Is that a real world answer? Imagine if I was someone who knew nothing about finance and just said "oh yes". Frankly, I have another account with HSBC so I think I'll try them next time.

jagracer

8,248 posts

253 months

Friday 16th September 2011
quotequote all
As an ex IFA and probably intelligent man why ask a question you should already know the answer to.

lowdrag

Original Poster:

13,113 posts

230 months

Friday 16th September 2011
quotequote all
jagracer said:
As an ex IFA and probably intelligent man why ask a question you should already know the answer to.
Because I live in France and for ex-pats who bank in Jersey interest is sometimes paid nett of witholding tax and some times gross. so I'm not such a silly ex-IFA, am I?

MX7

7,902 posts

191 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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I'm not sure why you want to go to [Name & shame rules activated]

jagracer

8,248 posts

253 months

Friday 16th September 2011
quotequote all
lowdrag said:
Because I live in France and for ex-pats who bank in Jersey interest is sometimes paid nett of witholding tax and some times gross. so I'm not such a silly ex-IFA, am I?
Seems not but just be thankful you got a Chloe and not a Charita answering your question, although you will with HSBC unless of course HSBC Jersey don't subject it's customers to Indian call centres.

AndyT77

1,755 posts

179 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Could you not have just checked online?

krisdelta

4,638 posts

218 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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AndyT77 said:
Could you not have just checked online?
He most certainly mentioned France, 3rd world country don't you know? wink tbh - it can sometimes be a pita to find stuff on banks websites though, nothing like talking to someone - if they know how to help you wink

northandy

3,520 posts

238 months

Friday 16th September 2011
quotequote all
Bank with first direct is the answer to your problem.

They are brilliant, phones answered almost immediately, uk call centre, knowledgeable staff.

As another example of their customer service, my cash isa introductory rate finishes in a month, email from them earlier this week saying they are moving me to their higher new introductory rate until jan 13, didnt even have to ask.