Abbey do I dump them?

[hme.4x4]

I am at the end of my tether with Abbey.

I sent my claim for refund of bank charges on 7th of July and have not yet received any reply. I am claiming in excess of £1200.
I have an overdraft of £700 and this slipped over by 54p when a direct debit was paid which they then reversed.
This morning on checking my account I see that there is £115 of charges been added to my overdraft and I don't get paid until 1st of the month so this will increase.
They seem to have become really nasty since I claimed my charges back.
So they actually owe me more than my overdraft, and the charges have increased since I submitted my claim.
I have a NatWest Step Account which I opened as a parachute account a while ago and I am thinking of transferring my principle account to them but to be honest I am scared half to death of 'jumping from the frying pan into the fire'
Can anyone please give me some advice?

[hme.4x4]

Anyone please?

[Mrs_Ryan]

Get rid of them mate.

I used to work for Abbey and I had zero confidence in them.

Just try and get everything over to NatWest ASAP. Since Abbey got taken over by Santander things have gone spectacularly wrong so I can only see it going from bad to worse. Plus it will stop them eating up your wages with their charges.

Good luck!

[hme.4x4]

Thank for the reply Mrs Ryan!
I have noticed the difference since Santander took over too, they used to be ok but now they are totally abysmal, customer service non existant.
As I am claiming £1200 in charges (which have increased dramatically since I submitted my claim) and have an agreed overdraft limit of £700 which they have just slammed another £115 on top I they can whistle for it!! Then I assume I will have to submit another claim for the extra charges.
Nat West have been super, I had a Step Basic account but spoke to them yesterday and they have upgraded me to a Current + account.

[maroondevo52]

Originally Posted by hme.4x4

they have upgraded me to a Current + account.

Nice one

I did't have the option of leaving Bank of Scotland, they got rid of me after my first claim :o

But hey ho, plenty other Banks

Onwards and upwards.

Regards.

Scott.

[hme.4x4]

Exactly! Good luck Scott!

[forgottenone]

Been thinking same myself ... dumping them. Their systems don't update properly - just look at my post in my own AN thread, what happened late last night in that direction - and more recently they've had serious trouble with their online banking systems, affecting only some customers accounts; not all. Then there's the small matter of them not being helpful whatsover when reporting an unauthorised DD placed on my account from someone I've never heard of. Whom really shouldn't have my details, then, but you try explaining that to them at AN.

[hme.4x4]

I know forgottenone, I used to be really happy with Abbey, they were always approachable and the customer care was fine. Until Santander, since then they have become extremely arrogant bullies. Their systems as you say are a nightmare and instead of having a working relationship with my bank I now find I have to challenge them about their errors on a regular basis. You have to watch them all of the time.
I had a feeling I would be dumping them soon, that's why I opened the NatWest Step basic account as a parachute. I have to say they have been fantastic. Very helpful and understanding. I was amazed when they instantly upgraded the step Account to a Current + account without any hesitation. They seem to have a 'can do' attitude which is very refreshing these days.
There again....I am sure there will be someone on here who disagrees with me but you can only speak as you find!

[dave]

Despite Abbey being as useless as the next bank (in my experience, the right hand has no clue what the left is doing), you did open a 'parachute account' before you started claiming back didn't you?

Just use that account instead.

[100mel]

I put in a request for reclaim of charges over 12 months ago - nothing heard since. I agree that things have gone from bad to even worse since Santander took over - I had all my personal details changed without my knowledge when they changed systems, my account was fraud marked and any enquiry to them meets with nil response. Customer service seemed to be lost in the attempt to cut costs. I was thinking of moving to A & L but now they'll be part of the same happy family !

Mel

[Mrs_Ryan]

I am quite bitter about the Santander thing because I lost my job thanks to them - a long time ago yes, but I was realyl quite upset about it at the time.

I honestly hope that this doesnt mean my A&L acct is gonna end up in the same way my Abbey one is... how can they justify 2 weeks to clear a cheque (An NHS-issued grant cheque!!!)

[hme.4x4]

Yes Dave, on the brilliant advice I have received on here I opened my parachute account before I claimed my charges. Thank heavens I did because as soon as I claimed they started getting heavy with me.
Happily as I said NatWest have upgrade me to a Current + account now....

[computerbuff1]

I also have a claim in, from last year, for bank charges with Flabby Abbey, and have opened a parachute account with HSBC, who are much better. Since, though, I have kept the Abbey account alive, though not in use, just in case they find some loophole, and say that they will not repay the charges when the bank charges case is finally settled , as I do not have the original account, to which the charges relate... this is why I am keeping it, in "hibernation" in case they try that one. In response to my original claim, Abbey states that if my claim is successful, they will refund direct to my Abbey account... all I'm saying is be watchful. I don't think they'd be allowed to do such a thing, but I bet they'll try.