Banking advice needed

[Central]

I recently on the 22nd April applied for a bank account with Alliance and Leicester. I got a email the following day saying I had been accepted.

I then rang up to see what I would be getting with the account I got told I would not be getting a Debit card So I then said I would cancel as I applied for this reason alone. I then the same day rang back up and said I would like to reinstate the account and not cancel. The lady said thats fine.

I later ring up in the week to see whats happening and then get told I am getting a Visa Debit card and no mention of a closure was said. I was happy.

On the 28th I got me cheque book, pin numbers and codes. But no card. But I thought I would wait few days and see what happens. So today when the post arrived still no card so I rang up. Your account is pending closure.

I said this is a mistake as I requested the account stays open and she said nothing had been put through. My new card has not been sent at all and will not be sent until the account is back to normal.

What can I do?

I been told to write a letter of complaint but no idea how to write it.

Any advice is great guys

Cheers

[Chris]

It's a new account, you have no relationship with them or commitments like direct debits on the account - what's the point hauling yourself through their complaints procedure? Just go and find another bank. If possible go into the branch and talk to someone so you know exactly what you're getting before you sign up.

And while I agree they shouldn't have cocked this up, it really doesn't help when you keep phoning them back and changing your mind. Help yourself out - decide what you want, tell your bank, and then stick to it.

[Central]

Originally Posted by Chris T

It's a new account, you have no relationship with them or commitments like direct debits on the account - what's the point hauling yourself through their complaints procedure? Just go and find another bank. If possible go into the branch and talk to someone so you know exactly what you're getting before you sign up.

And while I agree they shouldn't have cocked this up, it really doesn't help when you keep phoning them back and changing your mind. Help yourself out - decide what you want, tell your bank, and then stick to it.

If i been told from the beginning I was getting a Debit card like I as then I would not of cancelled

[danielf]

Why would they refuse to give you a debit card anyway?

[Central]

Originally Posted by danielf

Why would they refuse to give you a debit card anyway?

I was never refused in the first place. They told me though i had no debit card. And told me I did

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by Be*

If i been told from the beginning I was getting a Debit card like I as then I would not of cancelled

I have to say that the onus was on you to find out what you'd be getting when you opened the account. Like Chris said, it also doesn't help that you keep changing your mind

[Shaun]

I'm confued. What acount is it (the name please)? What facilitys did you ask for in the begining and what have they offered you?

[Central]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I'm confued. What acount is it (the name please)? What facilitys did you ask for in the begining and what have they offered you?

Sorry was on World of Warcraft

Its a Alliance and Leicester Premier Direct Account. I only asked for a debit card.

---------- Post added at 15:33 ---------- Previous post was at 14:05 ----------

Just had a phone call and apparently the card has not been put on stop.

I just don't know what to believe anymore

[bonzoe]

I had no problems getting same account with A&L with debit card and credit card, but then again I didn't confuse the issue by cancelling or asking questions I should have asked before attempting to open the account. Just do research beforehand, not as an afterthought.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Be*

Sorry was on World of Warcraft

Its a Alliance and Leicester Premier Direct Account. I only asked for a debit card.

---------- Post added at 15:33 ---------- Previous post was at 14:05 ----------

Just had a phone call and apparently the card has not been put on stop.

I just don't know what to believe anymore

Well it all depends. If you have a decent credit rating you'll get a VISA debit card. If it's a little iffy you'll get a VISA electron. However if it's down right dodgy you may only get a cash point card!!
By the sounds of it you'll probably get the first if they're sending you a cheque book.

Saying that they're all different. HSBC don't normally supply a cheque book unless you have a switch or solo but the Co-op won't send you a cheque book without you having a VISA debit card.

All you can do it hold tight and see if you get what you want. However be aware that now you've applied for this account (even if you close it) you'll have that application listed on your credit file for about 3 months and that will probably reduce any facility's you're likely to get from another organisation.

If you're not happy with the card then talk to the branch and ask them realistically what the prospects are of the card being upgraded when they have history. Ask them to be honest as some staff will lie to you to keep the sale.

For future reference - the best bank I've come across for issuing cards has been HSBC. They're pretty reliable at upgrading cards once they have some history. Natwest like to see excessive history (IMO, I've seen customers needing a year or more before getting a service-card!) and the Co-op just don't seem to bother!

Anyway let us know how it goes on.