Barclays vs First Direct

[watervole]

 Last week, I wanted to do a payment from my First Direct account.  There was a problem with their web site, so I phoned them. The phone answered in one ring (which is pretty normal for first direct).  I explained the problem, the nice Scottish lady said "I can do that payment for you" and did.

This week, I had a problem with a standing order on my Barclay's account for the morris team.  There was a problem with their web site, so I phoned them.  Went through the usual tedious phone menus.  Explained the problem to a guy in India who misheard my account number and I had to give it to him again.  He said it was probably a browser problem and insisted I try Internet Explorer.  The web site failed at exactly the same point as it had with Chrome.  He transferred me to another guy who at least had English as his first language.  He talked me step by step through a complicated path that worked around the web problem and finally allowed me to edit the standing order.

Basically, First Direct sort things out faster and with less hassle.  Every time.

The only reason the morris account isn't with them is because First Direct don't do community accounts.

There's a reason why First Direct score 95% on customer satisfaction.

Comments

[murphys_lawyer]

When I do my annual review of "stick or move" with the utilities / services companies, the banking review takes under five seconds, and has always resulted in a "stick" with First Direct.

There are other banks

[dumain.com (from livejournal.com)]

The co-operative bank rate almost as highly as first direct (at least if you believe Which?) and do community accounts.

Re: There are other banks

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I've heard other people say good things about Co-op. If I ever find the energy to move the morris account, that's probably where I'd take it.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Last year I complained to Barclays. They responded, but pretty much ignored my problem pretending that it was someone else's responsibility

[watervole.livejournal.com]

That's why I left Barclays a few years ago. They ignored a problem in spite of the evidence and it took a couple of months for them to accept their software was at fault - and was screwing up my direct debits to charities.

I never had a proper apology, so I walked - and cancelled my mortgage with them as well. I took a friend's advice, tried First Direct, and never looked back.

(they're currently offering a cash bonus if you open an account with them, but I'd recommend them even if you didn't get a penny)