Do banks do anything over the counter any more?

[BasilRathbon]

Just nipped out to my bank to change the amount I pay on a standing order; a simple task you might think, but it appears to be beyond them. After I’d explained this to the girl behind the counter, she told me that they don’t do that sort of thing over the counter any more and that I had to phone their call centre. She brightly pointed at a phone within the branch and said that all I had to do was press ‘2’ and the operator would do as I asked.

 

Havcing spent 7 years working in one, I don’t trust call centres, nor their incompetent and often corrupt staff, so I already had misgivings as I waited for my call to be answered. I also realised that the phone was right in the middle of the bank, adjoining the entrance and next to 2 cashpoints. So while I was giving out my bank details there were about 6 people within earshot, at least a couple of whom looked more than a bit dodgy.

 

Eventually my call was answered and, instead of a friendly welcoming English voice, I heard a computer-generated American accent demanding my account details like Stephen Hawking with a bad hangover. I could take no more; I put the phone down and walked out.

 

So how do you change a standing order if you refuse to deal with call centres? Surely all the counter staff have to do is take your account details, change a couple of numbers and click ‘save’? I’m going to a different branch to try again tomorrow – any tips on how not to be fobbed off?

[Rooty]

Have you tried doing it using on online banking?

[Carmine]

Just insist on doing it there and then.

 

Increasing the amount of a standing order is a piece of p*ss if they have the right signatures.

 

If there are dodgy types about then ask to see someone in private, that's what I did the last time I went in for that purpose.

 

And if all that fails, just follow Ken Dodd's advice:

 

"I strode in there, beating my drum and shouting: 'I want fourpence off'. You should hear some of the offers I've been made."

[slimsid2000]

Do sperm banks do anything over the counter?

[Agent Orange]

The only thing the banks seem to do over the counter now is the sight of eye candy, but even then, they don't do that too well. I stick with internet banking these days as it's far easier to sit in the comfort of my own home that to wait in a queue for several hours while the only cashier they have on duty counts the change from some old dear's 100 year collection.

[Nomis]

Have you tried doing it using on online banking?

 

Agree Online Banking is the way to go. No queues, foreign call centres etc.

I understand thats how the high street banks like it too...

 

The last year or so, I ve only been up to the bank about 2 times, once to sign a loan agreement and once to pay in a cheque.

[Alex C.]

My local HSBC has both staff to sort out queries such as yours and a counter service for payment of money - is your banks call center foreign? Just tell them you have issues with foreign call centers, and you do not wish to use them.

[sTaGeWaLkEr]

I do all my banking online too - it's much easier.

 

Adjusting a standing order would be a few seconds work.

 

Maybe you could request a registration pack next time you visit the bank's 'in house' telephone

 

Love the location of it btw - that makes lots of sense doesn't it?

[*_ash_*]

I do all my banking online too - it's much easier.

 

 

I tried to do the online banking thing, and in the process, discovered the only thing more annoying than hearing 'press 2 to hear some more selections'

 

I filled in 3 pages of information, takes about 20 minutes on their website, and then after the clicking the very last button, 'SORRY, WE ARE HAVING SERVER PROBLEMS, TRY AGAIN LATER', I did this 3 or 4 times, (each time, it let me fill everything in). And the final time I got 'SORRY, YOUR AUTHORISATION CODE HAS EXPIRED'

 

[nuttygirl]

Well pop into the bank and they'll set you up with a security code, which is all you need to start Internet Banking