The wonderful world of HSBC

[Luddite]

I had to share this with you - i just used HSBC's live chat to ask a question, bear in mind that there was at least 60 seconds between each entry!
Here goes:

Subject>Commercial Lending
HSBC>Nick Flint has joined the contact.
Nick Flint>Hi - I just wanted to know what the interest rate is on your business account overdrafts?
HSBC>Paul has joined the contact.
Paul>Good afternoon, my name is Paul. How may I help you?
Paul>hello Mr Flint, Are you Still online?
Nick Flint>Yes - awaiting your reply!
Paul>Ok Mr Flint, May i take your business sort code and accounts details please?
Nick Flint>******** ******
Paul>Thank you, Can you please confirm your full name please?
Nick Flint>Nick Flint
Paul>Thank you. Please could i take the last digit of your pass number?
Nick Flint>*
Paul>Thank you. Please could i take the first digit of your pass number
Nick Flint>* - Please can you ask the rest of your security questions in one go to save some time?
Paul>ok thank you and finally please confirm your date of birth?
Nick Flint>******
Paul>Thank you for your cooperation Mr Flint. So how can i help?
Nick Flint>You could read the question that I asked at the start of all this.
Paul>Your overdraft is 3% over the base rate
Nick Flint>Thank you. Did you really need all my account details to tell me that? Isn't it the same for everyone?
Nick Flint>Oh - and what is your base rate at the moment?
Paul>It was due to data protection act that i must follow for security purposes. The base rate is 4.5%
Nick Flint>Thank you for your help Paul - can I make a couple of suggestions: Firstly that HSBC makes it easier to find these details on its website, and secondly that you ask all your security questions in one go. Cheers.
Paul>Thank you, Will take on board the comments made by you today and put it in our system.
Paul>Is there anything else i can help you with?

Deep breaths!

Nick

[jont]

Was probably 2.97% when you first asked

[Buzby]

Don't get me started on HSBC

We have just moved from them due to their ongoing incompetence, and saved a lot in fees in the process.

[PeterW]

Lucky you used Live Chat. Whenever I speak to them on the phone I go to their Call Centre in India (I assume) and always get someone with a very strong Indian accent. I am not being racist with this comment but it does make it difficult as the line is never clear. Also if you go off the script it totally throws them.

When cancelling my bricks and mortar credit card processing the conversation went something like this:

>Hello, I would like to cancel my credit card terminal.....
>Yes, we can do that for you

Takes my details......

>When can we come and collect the machine
>I will drop it into my local branch
>Is that (Name of branch, etc, etc)
>Yes
>That is fine.

Confirms my details.......

>When can we come and collect the machine
>I will drop it into my local branch
>Is that (Name of branch, etc, etc)
>Yes
>That is fine.

Explains about keeping direct debit on account for six months, etc....

>When can we come and collect the machine
>I will drop it into my local branch
>Is that (Name of branch, etc, etc)
>Yes (Getting Annoyed!!!!)
>That is fine.

We went through the rest of the procedure like that.......then next day I received a phone call.....(fron India again)

>Hello, This is (Usual HSBC drivel) You have cancelled you credit card terminal
>Yes that is right
>When can we come and collect the machine
>I will drop it into my local branch
>Is that (Name of branch, etc, etc)
>Yes (Totally fed up)
>That is fine.

[Luddite]

sounds about right - we're leaving them asap.Too expensive, without the service to back it up.