Only a couple of months ago 18a Productions opened a business bank account with HSBC. They seemed as good as anyone else, and we’d heard good reports. And out of the 2 banks only a short walk away, they were the ones who returned our call, unlike Barclays.
After a couple of meetings with a less than alert Bank Manager, who knew less about interest rates than we did - it was open.
So I was less than amused earlier today to call in - and queue as usual - only to see a sign saying that our branch is closing on the 1st February 2008! (The ‘8′ of 2008 was written in permanent marker on the glossy printed poster - very professional - almost as bad as Tesco). You’re not telling me they didn’t know about that planned closure when we opened our account 2 months ago?! When we stated we were opening an account with them because the branch was so handy?! I was given a list of alternative branches - all a drive or a 45 minute walk away. So much for “The World’s Local Bank”!
And seeings you ALWAYS have to queue in there, it’s not like they’ve got a lack of demand!
This is just the latest in our string of problems with HSBC -
When the paper work started arriving for our new account - the company names they were coming up with ranged from silly to absurd. Sometimes using my Surname, sometimes using Tom’s name and the 1st 3 letters of mine! No mention of 18a Productions anywhere!
The worst, which used my Surname twice on following lines, was on a Customer Services Questionnaire! Needless to say they’re getting an interesting reply!
This was all after we were informed we HAD to take out a Company Charge card - like a credit card. We didn’t want to but were told we had no choice if we wished to proceed with the account - and seeings we’d already wasted hours with the dopey bank manager, we agreed rather than start again down the road. It was fine - because the card was free… this year. There would be a charge however after the 1st year… a charge for each card and we had to have 2. Bringing the total to £80 for something we didn’t want! So as soon as we’d left the bank we had to ring up and go through the process of canceling the card, which we could do at any stage - but wanted to do it whilst it was fresh in our minds rather than forget and get charged in 12 months… like they hope you’ll do.
So now we’re faced with closing that account and opening one with Barclays afterall - or only being able to visit the bank when we have a couple of hours to spare!
January 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I’m surprised at you ! What about online banking and the large envelope on the counter of the bank to imput cheques.
HSBC don’t seem to know if they are coming or going. Bromyard branch went from 5 days/wk open, to 2 days open, found that they lost many many customers to Lloyds over the road, went back to 5 days, but close at 3.
Lloyds stayed consistantly open, and close at 4 each day and kept their customers.
Aren’t Barclays the bank whose name the Nigerian fraudsters use to get into your account ?
January 21st, 2008 at 1:17 pm
On-line banking would have been fine - if everything wasn’t done in only one name so I couldn’t do anything until Tom granted me official permission! Despite me being there at every meeting and everything supposedly being set up equally.
And as for the big envelope - I wanted a stamp in my book!
Whilst I am loathed to go with Barclays after their system meant that despite 3 or more updates, they were still sending my statements to the wrong address, leading to ‘Identity Fraud’ - they are at least nearby! NatWest seem efficient down the road, but Tom’s had a bad experience with them too.
We’ll see how we get on once HSBC move further away… we get paid alot by cheque though…
I’m being reminded alot lately that so much just comes down to who you get serving you/who answers the phone. Some people can’t write down an email address for love nor money, and others are completely on the ball and helpful.