Banking here makes me homicial!

Deus
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 16 Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Location: Wrecsam

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 6:47 am

 

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that is quite annoying!

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MerrySage
Junior Member



Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Location: West Midlands, England

Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:59 am

 

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The banking and business practices here are chronic aren't they. Badly in need of an overhaul. I've learned the ropes, but it doesn't stop me getting really fed up sometimes. Esp when I fly home for a visit and I can conduct business same day without passing a MI5 security check each time.
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No, there's no bears around the houses in Canada.

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themeone
Senior Member



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 75
Location: London UK

Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 1:58 am

 

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There is basically no tradition of "cashing" cheques in the UK, so any request to do so will be met with refusal or bewilderment, or both. But how many times do you get given a cheque anyway?

If you have suitable internet access, I'd recommend internet banking. I've been with Smile for years, and find them very easy. There's branch access via the Post Office, and the Co-operative Bank should you need it, but I hardly ever need to go in as everything is done online.

Also, one advantage of UK bank accounts is no bank charges.

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Deus
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 16 Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Location: Wrecsam

Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 3:03 am

 

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I'll pay if it means betters service.

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MerrySage
Junior Member



Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Location: West Midlands, England

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:02 am

 

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themeone: I'm intrigued. How do you escape bank charges? To the best of my knowledge, the only time you dont pay fees of some description is if you're signed up to an intro offer. And that eventually comes to an end. Do you keep switching banks? Online banking may generate lower/fewer fees, but theres no such thing as no-fee banking.

I used to think the Canadian banks were a bunch of pirates. The Brits make our boys look like a bunch of rank amateurs.
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No, there's no bears around the houses in Canada.

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themeone
Senior Member



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 75
Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:28 pm

 

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When I say no bank charges, I mean no bank will charge you, as a private customer, for simply running your account provided you're in credit. If you go overdrawn, particularly without agreement, you'll still be charged.

Last time I ran a Canadian bank account, which admittedly was many years ago in the early 80s, it was normal to be charged each month for simply having the account.

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Susie D
Senior Member



Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 91
Location: North Vancouver

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:48 pm

 

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My boyfriend has recently had to order a banker's draft in order to pay his immigration application fees (he's immigrating to Canada). I'm so furious with that stupid bank! He ordered it on Monday of last week. They told him it would take 2-3 days to process as they had to send it to head office. So he waits patiently for 2-3 days, then goes into the branch again to find out what happened. Turns out head office decided to send the draft down to his home branch in Rugby (we're in Manchester)! So he says that does him no good, he needs it here. They arrange for it to be sent Registered Mail. This was on Thursday. Come Saturday, there's no banker's draft. Okay, so maybe Monday (although waiting a week for a pretty simple procedure is starting to just take the mick). Monday rolls around, no banker's draft. My boyfriend is calling them up today to find out what's going on, and I'm left wondering how on Earth banks get away with this in this country?! Is it because English people are just too polite to kick up a fuss? Or is it just that they don't know any other ways of banking?

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oohmercyme
Moderator



Joined: 21 Mar 2004
Posts: 312
Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:37 am

 

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Susie- CRAZY!

I have gotten banker's drafts twice to send home and the teller did it while I waited. (What's up with your bank?)

However, it cost £10!!!! I about flipped. Well, actually I did flip. The teller was new and it took her about 30 minutes and her manager said to give it to me without the £10 charge.

I graciously said ta!
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Lori

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