Santander Axes 0800 (Mostly)

[GeoffF100]

I scrolled down when checking that my latest bank statement had been downloaded correctly, and noticed that Santander is replacing 0800 numbers with 03 numbers on 30th June. That means we now have to pay National Rate while being kept on hold. There will still be free 0800 alternatives for things like reporting fraud. It is not great to be charged when they mess up.

I am now on 1p-mobile, so an hour on the phone is not going to break the bank. I was paying 3x as much for my calls not very long ago. I also have to say that they are paying me to operate the account. Nonetheless, it is not great.

[DrFfybes]

I think that is becoming common.

0800 numbers cost the bank, 03 numbers don't, and the vast majority of people these days have inclusive call plans on either their mobile or landlines. I too use 1p mobile, but now they have a minimum £2.50/month which I rarely use then it isn't making any difference. I'd need to be on hold a long time to cover the cost of going to the branch.

BTW 1p mobile now do an annual SIM for £30 so you only lose unspent credit once a year, or one with unlimited calls and a bit of Data for £36.

Paul

[GeoffF100]

BTW 1p mobile now do an annual SIM for £30 so you only lose unspent credit once a year, or one with unlimited calls and a bit of Data for £36.

Unspent credit is not lost with 1p-mobile for the normal tariff, unless they have recently changed the rules.

[Stompa]

BTW 1p mobile now do an annual SIM for £30 so you only lose unspent credit once a year, or one with unlimited calls and a bit of Data for £36.

Unspent credit is not lost with 1p-mobile for the normal tariff, unless they have recently changed the rules.

I believe some of it is for some customers:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/ ... 2-50-ever/

though I assume that also applies to the annual SIM???

[jackdaww]

.

santander in the news today for being in denial of multiple false transactions on accounts .

playback of customer services response sounded dreadful .

bargepole avoid santander .

[GeoffF100]

BTW 1p mobile now do an annual SIM for £30 so you only lose unspent credit once a year, or one with unlimited calls and a bit of Data for £36.

Unspent credit is not lost with 1p-mobile for the normal tariff, unless they have recently changed the rules.

I believe some of it is for some customers:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/ ... 2-50-ever/

though I assume that also applies to the annual SIM???

No, that applies to the standard 120 day top-ups. Thank you for the link. I did not know about that. I appear to be in the clear. My first credit card payment to 1p-mobile was in April 2021. Nonetheless, I expect that I will be hit with the same change at some point.

[GeoffF100]

santander in the news today for being in denial of multiple false transactions on accounts

Can we have a link?

[jackdaww]

santander in the news today for being in denial of multiple false transactions on accounts

Can we have a link?

sorry

i heard the story on radio 4 i think .

[GeoffF100]

I have been with Santander since it was Abbey National Building Society. I have never had any false transactions on my account.

[DrFfybes]

I have been with Santander since it was Abbey National Building Society. I have never had any false transactions on my account.

You're the exception that proves the Rule Geoff

Oh, hang on, I opened a Safeway supermarket saver so I guess I have too. Looks like [edit] we're both exceptions.

Paul

[GeoffF100]

I expect there are a few other exceptions too. None of the big banks have glowing reputations. I am stuck with Santander anyway. It is the nominated account for too many other accounts.

[gryffron]

Agree with DrFfybes. This is just a sign of the times. 0800 costs the provider a lot and benefits customers little. Because most these days have contracts for free/bundled calls. From landlines and mobiles.

Gryff

[jackdaww]

santander in the news today for being in denial of multiple false transactions on accounts

Can we have a link?

sorry

i heard the story on radio 4 i think .

==============================

i further recall that the complainant lived in london and was getting multiple transactions from a car dealer in birmingham , where he had not been for years . the dealer also complained the transactions were not of his doing .
santander customer services said they had definite proof the transactions were by the london man .
when asked to provide this proof , he was told - " that he wouldnt understand " !!

unbelievable , but that was the story .

[GeoffF100]

i further recall that the complainant lived in london and was getting multiple transactions from a car dealer in birmingham , where he had not been for years . the dealer also complained the transactions were not of his doing .
santander customer services said they had definite proof the transactions were by the london man .
when asked to provide this proof , he was told - " that he wouldnt understand " !!

unbelievable , but that was the story .

What was the problem? Was the car dealer paying unwanted money into his account? was it a debit or credit card problem? Was it a Direct Debit that had not been cancelled?

[Midsmartin]

I tried an 0800 number for my extremely small business once. People would call for leisurely chats seeking free advice with no intention of paying for work.
And good customers don't mind paying to call. So I soon stopped it.

[DrFfybes]

I expect there are a few other exceptions too. None of the big banks have glowing reputations. I am stuck with Santander anyway. It is the nominated account for too many other accounts.

Switching from RBS was a pain because of all the linked accounts. Still not managed to change Ebay, I think I'll have to close my account and open a new one.

Still, could be worse, AFAIK they haven't left my mortgage details under someone's bed for a decade

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... e-60506224

Paul

[stevensfo]

I expect there are a few other exceptions too. None of the big banks have glowing reputations. I am stuck with Santander anyway. It is the nominated account for too many other accounts.

Switching from RBS was a pain because of all the linked accounts. Still not managed to change Ebay, I think I'll have to close my account and open a new one.

Still, could be worse, AFAIK they haven't left my mortgage details under someone's bed for a decade

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... e-60506224

Paul

I don't understand this. Can't you simply go into Ebay and choose how you want to pay? Although I don't use it very much, I like Ebay because not only does it give me access to Ebay all over the world, like Amazon, I link it with Paypal which then pays either with funds already in Paypal or from another card/account.

Steve

[AF62]

Santander are not cancelling the 0800 number because it costs them money. They are cancelling the 0800 number because they don’t want anyone to call them, as *that* is what costs money - paying people to answer the phones.

The same as bank branches cost money, and the banks are all trying to close those (and not be the ‘last man standing’ when the others did it first, so getting all the blame for being the last bank in the town to close).

[pje16]

The same as bank branches cost money, and the banks are all trying to close those (and not be the ‘last man standing’ when the others did it first, so getting all the blame for being the last bank in the town to close).

First Direct (the best bank - that's the mantra of their customers ) have NEVER had branches and they opened in the late 80s
What great foresight

[AF62]

First Direct (the best bank - that's the mantra of their customers ) have NEVER had branches and they opened in the late 80s
What great foresight

Really?

Funny then that you can walk into any HSBC branch, HSBC who own First Direct, and carry out in branch transactions using paying in slips that have “First Direct” printed on them as an option to use.