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NatWest sucking as usual
Jan. 15th, 2004 05:35 pmNatWest's Temple Fortune branch doesn't appear in yell.com's directory. This is annoying, as there are certain things which NatWest force you to call your account's home branch for, rather than letting you use the nationwide number. Grr.
Anyway, eventually cancelled the standing order for rent to my current landlord. Then tried to transfer money from my natwest account to my Smile account, but was told I would have to go into a bank for this. They told me it was available at any branch though. I asked about a fee, and was told it would be free. I mentally noted the name of the person who took my call, then wandered down to the local (Hammersmith) branch of NatWest.
As usual, it was stupidly busy. Found my way to the guy who organises the queue for the info desk, and asked about making a transfer. He informed me that there was a £23 fee for this, and although the money would leave my account instantly, it wouldn't arrive for 3 to 5 days. Crappy.
I explained that {name of advisor} on the phone had said it was free, and asked them to call her up; they politely declined. I pointedly asked them how much it would cost to close my account, and take my money to a bank that had consistent fees, and they backed down and jumped me to the head of the queue and promised to do the transaction for free. Amusingly, the intention of me coming to the bank was in fact to transfer almost my entire account into my new Smile account, which I proceeded to do.
I think there might just have been a slight look of anguish in the teller's eyes when he discovered the destination account was in my name too — and the amount I was transferring consisted 95% of my balance.
Ho hum
Hasn't helped that today has been rather hectic. It'd kinda be handy if someone else other than me was actually at work today.
Probably heading to the pub after work for a pint. This may evolve into a longer stay, depending.
Anyway, eventually cancelled the standing order for rent to my current landlord. Then tried to transfer money from my natwest account to my Smile account, but was told I would have to go into a bank for this. They told me it was available at any branch though. I asked about a fee, and was told it would be free. I mentally noted the name of the person who took my call, then wandered down to the local (Hammersmith) branch of NatWest.
As usual, it was stupidly busy. Found my way to the guy who organises the queue for the info desk, and asked about making a transfer. He informed me that there was a £23 fee for this, and although the money would leave my account instantly, it wouldn't arrive for 3 to 5 days. Crappy.
I explained that {name of advisor} on the phone had said it was free, and asked them to call her up; they politely declined. I pointedly asked them how much it would cost to close my account, and take my money to a bank that had consistent fees, and they backed down and jumped me to the head of the queue and promised to do the transaction for free. Amusingly, the intention of me coming to the bank was in fact to transfer almost my entire account into my new Smile account, which I proceeded to do.
I think there might just have been a slight look of anguish in the teller's eyes when he discovered the destination account was in my name too — and the amount I was transferring consisted 95% of my balance.
Ho hum
Hasn't helped that today has been rather hectic. It'd kinda be handy if someone else other than me was actually at work today.
Probably heading to the pub after work for a pint. This may evolve into a longer stay, depending.