Do not bank with them!!! (Alliance & Leicester)

Member Name: herbie__53

Product:	Alliance & Leicester
Date:	29/01/09 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The rate of interest, but its not worth it for the customer service you get!!

Disadvantages: Too many to list...

Under NO circumstances should you have a current account with this bank. I moved my current account to here from Smile, and it was the biggest mistake I have ever made! There is no obvious phone number on the website to contact them when you have a problem with your accounts, and on the one time that I did manage to get through the many push-button menus to a person all they said was "you can do this online, you shouldn't be ringing us for this!!!" They said to send them a secure message rather than phone, as the account is an online one, and when I pointed out that its often a couple of days before I get a response through that system she basically said "Tough Luck"! I couldn't believe it! Then one day, an unexpected payment came out of my account, taking me £4 over my overdraft limit. To avoid being charged, I went down the post office and paid in £10 to cover this deficit. I always used to do this with my old Smile account, as the cash gets credited instantly. Not with Alliance and Leicester! The cash wasn't credited until the next day, and I ended up with a £30 charge. I phoned them and argued that as it was cash it should be credited that same day, but they just waffled something about processing times and I gave up. Also they have this stupid rule that the money for any direct debits coming out the following day needs to be in your account THE DAY BEFORE. So, if you get taken over your limit unexpectedly, there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO to return yourself to within the limit that day, as no credit method is instantaneous, so you WILL end up being charged. I thought this was extremely unfair, especially in times like these when we are struggling to keep our heads above water. I have been disgusted with this bank's philosophies and Customer Service, and have now closed my account and moved back to Smile.

Summary: Stay away!