Well, HSBC has bitten enough out of my backside and I've decided to shift banks. I managed to extricate myself from a financial mess in the middle of last year and have been behaving ever since, paying my loan on time and operating neither an overdraft or credit card.
I've been on a financial even keel despite the downturn and rising prices, but due to an 'oversight' on my part I failed to reserve enough funds for paying my £45 Direct Debit to my o2 contract and they have charged me for the priveledge to the princely sum of £25.00.
To add insult to injury (from my point of view), they've charged me in addition for another £18 direct debit that came out 2 days before I got paid, for £18. I guess £25 is the maximum they levy for failed direct debit charges.
Here's the real kicker: if I hadn't of gone into the branch local to where I work to discuss this, I would NOT have found out that HSBC cancel Direct Debits that are returned, but DO NOT inform the company doing the direct debit. In this case, I would have had O2 on my back again next month for a failed direct debit, AND HSBC would have charged me ANOTHER £25 for the privledge!!!
"Its because of the all the masses of paperwork we have to do".
Yeah right. Pull the other one, as your system doesnt simply retract the funds automatically and I bet it even applies the charges automatically. if it doesnt, then update ya 1985 archaic banking system.
The thing is, this is just the start. I've been here before with HSBC with mounting charges and getting into difficulty, so the buck stops here and I'll pay there horriffic charges and close down my accounts and go elsewhere. I already have a backup account that isnt used with Lloyds TSB, but I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good, understanding Bank that actually helps its customers instead of taking the bejeezus out of them.
Any suggestions?
I've been on a financial even keel despite the downturn and rising prices, but due to an 'oversight' on my part I failed to reserve enough funds for paying my £45 Direct Debit to my o2 contract and they have charged me for the priveledge to the princely sum of £25.00.
To add insult to injury (from my point of view), they've charged me in addition for another £18 direct debit that came out 2 days before I got paid, for £18. I guess £25 is the maximum they levy for failed direct debit charges.
Here's the real kicker: if I hadn't of gone into the branch local to where I work to discuss this, I would NOT have found out that HSBC cancel Direct Debits that are returned, but DO NOT inform the company doing the direct debit. In this case, I would have had O2 on my back again next month for a failed direct debit, AND HSBC would have charged me ANOTHER £25 for the privledge!!!
"Its because of the all the masses of paperwork we have to do".
Yeah right. Pull the other one, as your system doesnt simply retract the funds automatically and I bet it even applies the charges automatically. if it doesnt, then update ya 1985 archaic banking system.
The thing is, this is just the start. I've been here before with HSBC with mounting charges and getting into difficulty, so the buck stops here and I'll pay there horriffic charges and close down my accounts and go elsewhere. I already have a backup account that isnt used with Lloyds TSB, but I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good, understanding Bank that actually helps its customers instead of taking the bejeezus out of them.
Any suggestions?