Rewrite - Why me?! Oh, it's not just me! (Lloyds TSB)

Member Name: louise1971

Product:	Lloyds TSB
Date:	11/03/02 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good internet banking site

Disadvantages: High charges, Lack of customer service, No help given in tricky circumstances

Being a silly teen, I became involved in silly debt - oh, yes, it is so easy to get credit cards, then loans to pay those off, then run the cards up again, blah, blah!
Consequently, I am now stuck with the TSB, since no other bank will have me (probably).
Ten years later I am still paying the price for my stupidity. When I approached them to ask for help, they simply didn't do anything. I left the branch in tears, after being told to cut up my credit cards - when I told them I did not have them on my person, they said I had to photocopy the chopped up bits, and send a copy to them, then they may help me. I am still waiting.
Another unbelievable example: I pay a fiver a month to an animal charity. Unfortunately, this direct debit came off the day before pay day - I had 2 quid in my account (so, yes, the bank just had to 'lend' me 3 quid). They bounced it!! Shocker!! Then charged me £27.50 for the privilege. Can they not see I would get paid the next day? My fiance's bank actually phone him to let him know they will charge if he doesn't rectify his account in a couple of days. That's good service.
A friend of mine, who used to work there, but has since made a well timed exit, told me that yes, the company does make a concerted effort to woo and keep big money folks, whilst basically not giving a monkeys about normal plebs. I am aware it is my own idiocy which got me here in the first place, however, if I had been someone close to the edge, this lack of customer service would not have done me any good. Having reached the end of my tirade, I must say, their internet banking service is very good - it is clear and very simple to use.

Summary: