I'm with the Woolwich

[mimififi]

Hi,

Does anyone Bank with the Woolwich? If so, what has been your experience? How would you rate them? Do they do mortguages?

I currently bank with First Direct, but they have become increasingly Rude to me when on the phone! I was thinking of switching to the Woolwich?

What do you think?

[Lindylou]

Please don't go there! Its awful - making constant errors over Direct Debits / Standing Orders. Bouncing a cheque which would have taken me exactly 2p overdrawn AND on the day my salary went into my account and charging me �30 for the privilege. Bearing mind I'd never been overdrawn during the entire time I'd banked with them. Not being able to contact them by phone. Having to write letters for any change I wanted. Finally decided I couldn't take any more and moved my account to HSBC.

[mimififi]

Oh my Word, that's awful. Well, I certainly wouldn't want that at all. I need absolute convenience when it comes to banking. Thanks for taking the time to warn me. I'll go back to the drawing board and find somewhere else I think!

Cheers Lindylou.

[Robert G]

I recommend you look at Nationwide Building Society and their FlexAccount (a current account which pays you interest). I've been with them for years and never had a single problem.

You can manage your account online if you like.

[buildersmate]

Woolwich has been reported in several places I read within the last 2 years (Sunday Times Money pages for one) that its customer service centres just don't work properly.

[BigMac]

ditto the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, and the Mail on Sunday.

Could it be just coincidence that when it was a mutual building society the Woolwich was excellent, but since it was taken over by Barclays...

Try the Co-op, too, or just their internet option Smile - it seems to get good reviews and is 'ethical' (if that matters to you).

[solvemyprobs]

hi i have been with the woolwich for many years and have found that while in credit and good finance history leave you alone, but have found that they are also rude in dealing with bank charges and unpaid d/d, and unneccassarily when a bit of politeness is all that is needed and some patience. so if you think you might sometimes struggle this is not for you, however if you have brill finances then go for it. good luck.helen

[Trotbot]

Why are First Direct being rude? I have been with them for 10+ years and found them to be excellent. Perhaps a well drafted complaint may help. Alternatively, try their internet banking - you don't need to talk to anyone.

Ultimately, all banks have their good moments and their bad, nay, terrible. One persons angel is anothers demon. Tele / internet banks remove some of the reliance on high street personalities (or lack thereof)

[Killerschick]

I too gave up on First Direct, I found their customer service lacking and the facilities they offered not that competitive. I'm with the Halifax now who are OK and you get free travel insurance & breakdown cover on their Xtras account as long as you've got �1000pm going in.

Many years ago I was with the Woolwich, until they told my Mum that I was overdrawn (on an account I'd opened aged over 18, so my Mum was never a guarantor), thereby contravening the Data Protection Act and ensuring they would never get any of my business again. I have kept the account open with 23p in it for the last 13 years, they send me statements twice a year and new cheque guarantee cards every so often, so I'm costing them money!