Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: homenclean on July 12, 2009, 09:00:49 pm
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I, as many out there consider the banks to be the biggest set of con men on this planet. But unfortunately they are a necessary evil.
Which leads me to my main point:
I am considering swapping banks and would be interested in your opinion as to who offers the most competetive service i.e cheque clearance times e.t.c
Also who would you stay well clear off?
or basically who you would reccomend.
Thanks
john
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Signed up with Alliance & Leicester 8 months ago and have no complaints.
Free banking as long as you bank over £500 p.m. with them (otherwise £5 p.m.)
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The reason , and underlying problems, for your proposed transfer will have much bearing upon the answers you will then get.
Do share.
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Although painfully slow to turn cheques into ready cash and p*ss poor customer service, Abbey is free business banking.... I have found that by banking on line with them, things have improved to a degree, enough to stop me in my tracks of changing banks.
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I am looking to reduce bank charges and improve on cheque clearance times.
I would also like to consider accepting swithch payments in the future but my current banks charges are excessive.
Because i purchase products from differant suppliers in differant areas of the country a debit card would be a help.
John
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so who are you with then? iv never heard of a business account NOT getting a debit card with it before
BEEN WITH HSBC many years, couple of times have overcharged me and theyre very quick to charge me so i wouldnt say much good ,i always think the managers are odd bods -look shifty
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John you only ever find out how good a relationship is when things go wrong.I was with natwest who were very good to me when things were going well but when i had some serious problems due to a company owing me absolute thousands they quite quickly turned into the give us our money back now bank and left me with a very sour taste in my mouth as i was trying everything to get back on my feet.End of rant and just my experience.Regards Alan(swindon)
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I closed down my Barclays business account about 2 years ago,as was sick of paying to pay in money,i now use a current account for Halifax,3 days to clear a cheque,Bacs payments clear straight away.And no charges ;D
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My best bank is upstairs.
No interest but no charges.
Cheques go in my normal current account.
Not paying to put money into an account.
John
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I have been with barclays free 12 months banking find my local branch very helpful cheques get swipped through shows up straight away on the online banking no complaints as yet.
But like with all of them dont get in pocket with them. had a word with my manager the other day and said what happens at the end of my free banking period and i said as i dont owe you anything whats to stop me moving and surprise surprise they have extended my free banking Happy days.
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The trouble with banks is you sort of need them and they know it.
It's all very well for their industry spokesman to tell you to 'shop around' because it's a competitive market, but the reality is it's an illusion of choice, when in fact there isn't one because they are all in league and all want to shaft you. (sorry Roger) ;D
In fact they are very much like politicians in many ways. :(
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mike
i have banked with alliance and leicester used to be girobank
for nearly 29 years, never any real problems 8)
they have just been taken over by santander
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shoppimg around is ok but it is handy to build up a Good history with a bank then borrowing is easier if required
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mike
i have banked with alliance and leicester used to be girobank
for nearly 29 years, never any real problems 8)
they have just been taken over by santander
santander?
Well your luck had to run out eventually. ;)
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I am currently with HSBC who on the whole have been ok, but recently i have had a change if manager and to be honest the old relationship is no longer there.
Very hard to get hold of when you need something, often directed to a call centre.
I trade as a limited co so the facilities do not include debit cards.
as previosly mentioned there has to be something wrong when they can charge you to pay in.
I guess I am getting the feeling that the big banks are`nt interested in small business any more.
Thankyou for your replies
John.
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mike
i have banked with alliance and leicester used to be girobank
for nearly 29 years, never any real problems 8)
they have just been taken over by santander
santander?
Well your luck had to run out eventually. ;)
yeh i know ;D just have to wait and see
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Called into abbey to pay a bill for wife (normal) I said ben is A&L part of your group sorry cant help you? Barclay was more than willing, stills a building society with a bank name I miss the Woolwich swipe card hand over what ever Barclays fill a form in reminds me of the Grindlays days what a cheque book
Len
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Len just flash them your Amex Black ;)
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Mike
Very slow payers ;)
Len
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I am currently with HSBC who on the whole have been ok, but recently i have had a change if manager and to be honest the old relationship is no longer there.
Very hard to get hold of when you need something, often directed to a call centre.
I trade as a limited co so the facilities do not include debit cards.
as previosly mentioned there has to be something wrong when they can charge you to pay in.
I guess I am getting the feeling that the big banks are`nt interested in small business any more.
Thankyou for your replies
John.
John
I'm afraid to say you are wrong on almost every point you raise although the call centre issue is more true than anything else.
Limited companies can have a combined cash card/debit(switch/solo) function. Probably the person you have asked doesn't know and so gave you wrong information. I've got one for my ltd coy.
If you'd come to this year's CCDO you'd have found out the answer as to why they charge for paying in and also how to minimise/avoid the cost legitimately. In simple terms would you give a third of your service away for free, which is what you are effectively saying?
Small businesses make up over 90% of all businesses in the country (ie.employing less than 10 people-as defined by the Forum for Private Business) so to the banks that is a huge market to go at.
I don't want you to think I am necessarily defending banks carte blanche but you do need to know some true facts about them rather than just popular myths. Please don't think this is a personal attack on you-it's not-as others on this forum who know me would (I suspect) accept my ramblings on the subject as true.
As this forum is often about helping each other then if there is anything in particular which anybody thinks it would be helpful to chat through with me then please don't hesitate to ring me on 07979 911321.
Mike O
Apologies accepted!
Roger
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You have got to feel for Roger as he lost loads when Bearings Bank went down that's why he's cleaning carpets, he knows a thing or 2 about banks ;)
Shaun
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I accept your comments and appreciate your response.
But having spoken to my accountant today he is of the opinion that the idea of assisting small business has now almost dissapeared.
Whilst you have money they want you when times are hard it`s get lost. Almost like some women (its a good job the wife is out).
There is no customer relations any more its all computer says no?
But i suppose these are the times we live in.
John
p.s have just checked with Hsbc again and they dont issue debit cards on business accounts.
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Abbey business a/c keep issuing me on renewal time a electron card I have to sign for every transaction (its embarrassing also thought this had to stop) ah computer systems keep costs to a min and profits high getting a debit card
Shaun
The bank collapsed in 1890 following a default on debt repayments by the Argentine government, leading to the first-ever intervention in the British banking system by the Bank of England, which injected some £17 million to prevent the bank suspending payments and consequent financial catastrophe. The business was later refounded and control subsequently passed back to descendants of the original founders. ??? ??? ;D
Len
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John
p.s have just checked with Hsbc again and they dont issue debit cards on business accounts.
thats strange as iv had a business account with hsbc for many years and have always had only a debit card with it
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I meant that Roger was loaded enough to own it!!!
Shaun
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In years gone by the highwaymen had the decency to ware a mask when they robbed us of our hard earnt money.
Now it`s bankers and politicians in suits.
John
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To clarify- my Hsbc account is a Ltd company account, when i traded as a sole trader i also had a debit card.
John
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I accept your comments and appreciate your response.
But having spoken to my accountant today he is of the opinion that the idea of assisting small business has now almost dissapeared.
Whilst you have money they want you when times are hard it`s get lost. Almost like some women (its a good job the wife is out).
There is no customer relations any more its all computer says no?
But i suppose these are the times we live in.
John
p.s have just checked with Hsbc again and they dont issue debit cards on business accounts.
John
Now I am almost entirely in agreement with you!!
It's one of the reasons I had to get out as I often did the complete opposite of what the computer recommended-in other words I tried to help. But ultimately that would have got me the sack.My bosses only remember the times I got it wrong and not all the times it went right by sticking my neck out.
I'm sure other banks will issue debit cards to ltd coys but I hold a Natwest debit card for my limited company. Don't know how important that feature is to you?
Shaun
I only lost my Bearings ;D (not my dosh-probably why my bank likes me and gives me a personal business bank manager with a direct line and his mobile number!)
It reminds me of the Two Ronnies gag:
"There now follows a sketch which takes part in a ball-bearing factory in which I lose my bearings"
(Other Ronnie) "And I lose ....the will to live" :)
Roger
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HSBC have a "Business Card" for their standard business accounts. It's a Mastercard credit card, but is compulsorily paid off in full something like 14 days after the statement date. In other words, it works like a delayed debit card. Good for cash flow and you can't rack up a huge debt :)
I've banked personally with HSBC for many years and have always had my business account with them. The service is good, the internet banking is great, and although there are charges it certainly isn't extortionate. I'm not considering changing.