Nationwide - WTF!?

CliffyBiro · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:22

Popped into to Nationwide today with the view of upgrading my flexaccount to a debit card from the standard Cash Card.

The website says:

You may be eligible to upgrade to a debit card if you have handled your account well. However, there are also circumstances where we would not be able to consider upgrading, which include if:

you are under age 18;
your existing account has been open for less than seven months;
you have applied for an upgrade within the last four months;
your account has recently been overdrawn without our authorisation;
you have missed payments for other Nationwide products you hold;
your account has not been used in the last three months;
you have missed loan, mortgage, or credit-card payments with other providers; or
you are currently bankrupt or have an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) with your creditors.

If none of these circumstances apply to you, you may be eligible for an upgrade. Please visit your local branch.

None of those apply to me. I turned 18 in March this year.

I was then told that I could not upgrade yet as they only ever upgrade customers who are closer to 19.

What is the point of saying 18 when you really mean 19 and WTF is the difference?! Am I suddenly going to be able to manage by accounts better when I turn 19 like some sort of financial Kevin and Perry?!

I just don't understand what the problem is. :confused:

Richdog · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:24

Try calling their online teams and explain/complain and escelate as necessary... they may be able to sort something out for you.

craaaaaig · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:27

I've had a debit card with abbey since i was 16.. threaten to change banks.

Hxc · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:49

I've had a solo/maestro since I was 14 from Natwest. Bloody brilliant having one from such a young age, use it now at 16 all the time

Switch banks mate.

Scottland · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:51

Tell them to do it, or you'll leave. If they won't even do this, do you really want to bank with them in future?

CliffyBiro · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:56

I have an Alliance and Leicester account set up but never used it. I have a debit card for it but could never get it to work when testing it (always refused when trying to buy with it online)

Other than this, I have no issues with Nationwide. The dude I was talking to said to call back next month when I'll be closer to 19 than 18.

richard104 · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:58

When i was 18 i applied for a credit card they rejected it. Waited till i was almost 19 and they still rejected me, even though i have over 6k with them since i was like 14.....

LordSplodge · 11 Sep 2008 at 19:01

Join a bank. A proper bank and not some half arsed building society.

Midland Bank (remember them?) gave me a debit card when I was 16 (a cash card before that) and I have been with them for 20 years with no real complaints.

Moredhel · 11 Sep 2008 at 19:02

I had a full maestro card (well, it was Switch back then, but still a full debit card) from HSBC From 16. I would threaten to move as suggested above. I would also recommend asking in person at your branch rather than online. As the staff will often let things slide against the recommendation of the system. I had that happen when I was given an overdraft when I was 18.

Glaucus · 11 Sep 2008 at 19:05

Nationwide are very good in most aspects. But they are tight on who they lend money to. i got turned down for a loan top up. As I still had some debts registered at a previuse address and so nationwide was flagging it up. So I went and changed all my addresses. but you still can't reapply for another 4 months. Which is a bit stupid.

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 11 Sep 2008 at 19:12

CliffyBiro · 11 Sep 2008 at 19:20

Moredhel said:
I had a full maestro card (well, it was Switch back then, but still a full debit card) from HSBC From 16. I would threaten to move as suggested above. I would also recommend asking in person at your branch rather than online. As the staff will often let things slide against the recommendation of the system. I had that happen when I was given an overdraft when I was 18.

I did ask in the branch.

jamoor · 11 Sep 2008 at 19:24

I found it very strange when they told me they couldn't do a bank transfer over the phone!

Oh well, never mind, I only use them when going abroad anyways.

gord · 11 Sep 2008 at 21:00

Ive always been with the Nationwide, and they gave me a debit card when I was 18 or possibly 17. I had it well before I went to University IIRC. Dont know how much that helps you.

antijoke · 11 Sep 2008 at 21:01

It's just a hoik to get you in. You know like a big fat juicy worm on the end of a rod.

GarethDW · 11 Sep 2008 at 21:15

Give 'em a call and see if they say the same thing on the phone as they did in the branch - the number is 08457 30 20 10 - but don't mention that the branch told you such-and-such.

Despite what some people have said, I'd suggest sticking with Nationwide. Their adverts are a bit cheesy but, being a mutual, they do have a few advantages over banks. However, I may be biased as they employ a lot of people who live in Swindon

Glaucus · 11 Sep 2008 at 21:17

GarethDW said:
Give 'em a call and see if they say the same thing on the phone as they did in the branch - the number is 08457 30 20 10 - but don't mention that the branch told you such-and-such.

It'll be on there records and you can't re-apply for 4 months. Nothing can be done now till after the 4 months.

GarethDW · 11 Sep 2008 at 21:19

Oh yeah... forgot about the 4 month rule. Good job I don't work for 'em.... oh

Pilky01 · 11 Sep 2008 at 21:21

Had a debit card with Halifax since i was about 13

Fropome · 11 Sep 2008 at 21:49

got my solo card when i was 11 with bank of scotland and now a visa, i'm deadly surprised when i hear some of my friends don't have one, (at the age of 19/20)