Some knows about my ultra hatred for setting up bank accounts. About how it took me ages to find a bank that's willing to give me an account at no fees at all (I just think that it's senseless for me to spend money every month just to keep the account open- we're lending to the bank after all). Maybe I was being a bit too picky about which bank to go for but who wouldn't want to go for the best aye? So anyway, come January and I settled with NatWest. Up till last week, I've been pretty satisfied with the bank. Everyday transactions are problem-free, just a few glitch with International orders. It saved me money by not spending, so I'm not going to complain about that.
Note: I mentioned "up till last week".
So. Last week, NatWest called to tell me that they will be opening me a Savings Account because it was supposed to come along with the account that I applied for. Apparently the bank dude who opened an account for me didn't apply for me. No complains because I was planning to switch banks at the end of the year. Since the lady over the phone recommended me to open a Savings Account due to the large amount that I had in my account (my brother transferred my annual school fees over), I said sure. So she did and I have an additional account to my name.
A few days later, when I was about to pay my school fees, the website recommended that I should call the bank to check if I have a limit to my debit card. I called them and the dude told me that I have no limits (dangerous much?). No complains because other than the school fees, there isn't much money in my account. Seeing the amount I had in my account, he told me that I'm eligible for a Current Account. With a Current Account, I will be able to get a cheque book which is the sole thing that wins me over. So I said sure, I would love to apply for it and he transferred me to his Indian guy (accent tells all).
Indian guy arranged for my upgrade. He asked for details, put my through this 1 minute and a half of recorded message on information sharing and privacy policy AND even recommended me to their products. Okay fine, standard stuff. But the problem was that he just wouldn't stop! I told him "no, it's alright I will think about it another time". He said "why don't just get over it now" so obviously I had to say "ok fine" and let him continue. Do note that this conversation happened twice. I was definitely not thrilled when he kept on rambling about the exact same products that I had rejected. I was definitely not thrilled, at all, that I will be liable for the cost of the phone call. Not when he's recommending things that I really don't need. Should I give an example? Bank accounts that comes with a monthly fee.
Finally he gets the point that and the phone call ended. Great! Is this the end of my Bank headaches? No way ho say.
Over the weekend, I received a letter from NatWest. It contains my new pin and the letter says that my new card is on the way. New card?! It's probably for my new upgraded account. Today my new card arrived. To be honest, I was pretty excited because it's a new card. A real debit card. The ignorant me thought that the card that I have been using all along is a debit card, but no, it's merely a Cashcard. It's a terribly embarrassing thing to admit because it does say so on the card.
Excited, I took the new card off the paper and it says "for accounts ending with xxx6". It's not my main account number, but looks really familiar. Then it hit me. It's the account number of my new Savings Account. Omg. Debit card for my Savings Account?! Shouldn't it be for my Current Account?! Afterall, it's my normal account that's supposed to be upgraded to a Current Account. Why would I need a debit card to my Savings Account? Unless I'm a super shopaholic who needs two cards to gain access to the total amount of money I have... but I'm not. Besides, I have decided to start saving up for rainy days (whoohoo new aim in life!).
To cut the (already) long story short(er), I now hold 2 cards. Not that it's a completely bad thing, but I find it more convenient to hold only 1 card. It's just like having 2 keys to your door when you only need 1. It's either a new debit card replaces my old Cashcard (but same account- Upgraded) or Cashcard all the way. Whatever it is, I will have to make a trip down to NatWest to sort it out tomorrow.
If I were to have the same Indian guy to serve me, it'll probably be another story for me to recount.
