I agree Ray - it is poor and shortsighted customer service which is a shame as many other aspects of Natwest's service are above others and their strapline is "Helpful Banking" - this isn't very helpful. Why don't you go straight to the top and write a letter to Stephen Hester, Group Chief Executive RBS drawing his attention to a practise that is losing him Natwest customers (HQ details on wikipedia). He has achieved many things for the group and I am sure will want to know if something isn't working. As always, tact and diplomacy will get your message across better than a rant and rave - thats what we're here for!
Regards, Tina Shortland, Debt Advisory Manager for Melanie Giles at Debt Advice TV.
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Personally I don't mind if it says basic or platinum, my money's as good as anyone's. With more and more banks trying to make more money from monthly fees I imagine this trick will generate income from those who don't want basic on their card. If basic means my account is free then I'll be happy with basic. I'm also happy to tell people I'm happy to have a basic account if it means it's free and I'm not running up debt. I think the people with the problem are the ones looking down thir noses, no doubt their platinum card spending is out of control. Why pay £15+ a month to have a pretty card and a load of benefits you don't use, I'd rather spend that on a takeaway every month.
"Just when you think that you can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends."
i am with natwest and my account has been changed to the basic, i've not had my visa debit changed as yet but to be honest i can't say it will bother me! I'd rather have that on my card than another card / account which i have to pay for and might have the OD facility. i love the fact that its a basic account and the money in it is my own. I don't think people may much attention to whats on your cards anyway.
Susie
x
IVA Accepted 31st March 2011.
IVA Ends 31st March 2016.
I think it's only if you have the very basic account that they are changing the cards.
It was the opposite way round for me with Nationwide - we had the basic Flex account with a cash card and then they upgraded that to a debit card which was brilliant.
The only banks that I know of that discriminate against people in an IVA are HSBC and First Direct and they are known for closing accounts even if you have no debt with them.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
What I think is happening is not IVA related per se, but a symptom of the economy in general. The banks are forced to offer these basic accounts, on which they make no money and my feelings are that Natwest are simply trying to make their own basic account so useless as to drive basic account holders elsewhere.
They have to provide the account, but they do not want anybody using it !
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
Apologies for going off at a tangent but I cannot miss the opportunity to congratulate Ray_a on a most wonderful thought................
There should indeed be a bankers equivelant of an IVA and 100% of any surplus income (lets call that their bonus fund) should be put back into the IVA (the treasury, OUR treasury, OUR pockets)........... just like we have to!!
It's people like us that they don't want - they make nothing from us at all as we have no overdraft facility, no 'paid for' account.
So far I'm happy with Nationwide as they actually went the other way and issued a proper debit card.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I agree Jan. I'm happy with Nationwide - I've got a full account and a basic account with them and the only difference for me is I don't have a chequebook with the basic account.
Oooh, I wouldn't like that if it were me. Our 'basic' account is with Halifax. We have the dreaded Electron card, but pay cash for most things - including the very rare meal out.
I'm just so glad we have the debit card with Nationwide. Not been refused anything yet.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
To be fair - the retailer etc - should not handle the card anyway - They should only be interested that the PIN is correct etc, A few years ago - the UK had a spate of card cloning in petrol stations after cards where taken from people to be put through the tills. The banks then did state there is NO need for Retailers to handle the card etc. So unless they have very good eyesight - i would not take it personally that your card has Basic /or electron all over it
Last edited by ginger3232 on Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
