Jeff's reviews - Smart Money People

Disappointed

2

I was disappointed after waiting so long for Tandem that the app they've launched is merely an account aggregator and the current account is some way off/never happening. Annoyingly, the app doesn't even support any of the accounts I have, so it's a bit of a fail for me. Still exciting though, to hear what they might do with credit cards and in the future, but i'd leave it for now. Reviewed on: 2nd August 2017

It's the future

5

Sure, it's not perfect, but it's still a beta app after all. I found account opening incredibly easy, like almost too easy, and switched my main current account not long after. The app is of course, great, and the rate at which development and new features are being added is genuinely exciting after having been with legacy banks for the past 20years. The things they have in the pipeline seem to have the customer experience in mind which is 100% what I'm looking for in a bank. Customer service hasn't always been 5/5 but it's getting there. i love to recommend starling to friends and family and hope they drag the incumbents into the future! Reviewed on: 2nd August 2017

Great app, good offers

5

Did a balance transfer over to Tesco Bank as they had an attractive zero percent interest offer for 2y+. Coming from Barclaycard, whose app I quite like, the Tesco one is even better and i couldn't ask for more from it really. The customer service team is a hell of a lot better than Barclaycard too. Reviewed on: 7th July 2017

Cashback reduction

3

I used the card for four years having got it for the market leading 2% cashback at the time - despite having to use amex. over the years they've eroded that rate and they're now telling me i'm at 0.5% so i'm jumping ship. It's a shame because the app is really nice and managing the account has mostly been a breeze, but without any benefits, i'll balance transfer to a 0% card and at least get the benefit of not having to pay it. Customer service when needed is not great - with the only real option being to call with long wait times and foreign call centres Reviewed on: 28th June 2017

Good renewal price

4

As it's my first renewal for home insurance I thought I might have to play the renewal price game, but Tesco gave me a fair renewal price in line with any other company, and the renewal was painless. I've knocked a point off as last year's payment credit card had expired, and I have to call to update to a new one as opposed to just entering online which is mildly annoying. Reviewed on: 27th June 2017

Hassle-free, interest-free finance

5

They provided a loan for a TV on internet-free credit which was super convenient. The application process was really straightforward and done entirely online with fairly easy to understand documentation too, which was nice. Reviewed on: 13th April 2017

Prefer Quidco

4

They do pretty much the same thing, but I think I prefer Quidco - the website is simpler to navigate, and the payouts are often more plentiful (if admittedly, not as high as some of TCB). Love the "no spend" cashbacks though, and still an essential app Reviewed on: 27th March 2017

Insane excesses

2

Was going to change my insurance over to axa as they topped the comparison sites in terms of price. However on closer inspection, the excess amount was more than the policy price itself! Stupid. Reviewed on: 22nd March 2017

Fair renewal price

4

Received a renewal price from Aviva which didn't change from last year, so happy to accept. Never had to claim, or speak to anyone thus far, but their online platform does everything you need. Reviewed on: 22nd March 2017

Access to lounge

3

I've only got this account now for Virgin's lovely lounge access (the 1-2times per year I use them) but seeing as I get an email once every 6 weeks or so "YOUR INTEREST RATE IS BEING REDUCED" I can't say it's a great product - especially as there's still no app to check my balance. Reviewed on: 10th March 2017

Reply from Hi Jeff. Good to hear you enjoy using our Lounges! An app is on the list and we’ll announce any news to our customers first! Thanks, Jane Response date: 13th March 2017

Switching soon

3

Not only have they reduced my reward of £5 to £3, I had to pay in some coins this week, and was told I could only change 5 bags worth. I had 6 bags...which seems a bit archaic, unhelpful, and definitely not "going the extra mile". Reviewed on: 10th March 2017

Free but flawed

4

Yes, it's free but the product is still very light at the moment and seems to be geared up to pushing you credit cards and loans and not much else really. My score on Credit Club seems generally much lower than any of the other free credit reporting tools too, so I'm going to stick with ClearScore. Reviewed on: 8th December 2016

Really like it

4

I've used my monzo card for a while now, and i actually really like it. The app just makes using, topping up, and seeing my transactions almost fun. I use this card for specific nonessential spending purposes, but i feel like i've got a better handle on how much and where I'm spending with it. if it's anything like this, i'll jump at their current account when it comes out! Reviewed on: 21st November 2016

Give me an app!!!

3

I do like the card art - I chose the sex pistols cover for my card which EVERYONE comments on, but the lack of an app to see my balance is really frustrating me. having to a) find the login page for credit cards, and then b) enter 3 pieces of info to get to a transaction view which frankly isn't great is really killing the experience for me. Also, i can't get another card for a second account holder, and apple pay is STILL not supported. 'could do better' Virgin Money Reviewed on: 21st November 2016

Happy customer until Feb

3

I'm with Halifax as they've been OK thus far, but having seen that the £5 'reward' is going to be cut to £3 in February, I'l be jumping ship then. And at the same time, they'll give new customers £100+ for switching, where's the incentive for loyalty?? Reviewed on: 3rd November 2016

Great concept, but I wont pay for it

2

I got one of the first Monese cards when they launched, keen to see what all the fuss was about. 'We're the future of banking' and all that. To begin with, it was pretty cool! The transaction view is really fresh looking compared to my Halifax current account, and importantly - useful. I imagine it would actually help me save money as I can see exactly where my money is being frittered away. BUT! Now you want to charge me £4.99 for what is a prepaid card, with no cashback (like Pockit) or anything else I could get on top of my free bank account? Just not gonna happen... Reviewed on: 20th October 2016

Reply from Hi Jeff - thanks very much for your feedback and for being an early adopter of Monese! We've since launched our Starter account (which doesn't charge an up-front monthly fee) to sit alongside our Plus account (which does), so our customers can choose based on the features they want. We did want to take the time to mention that the fee-based plan does actually include features like several free ATM cash withdrawals, very low currency exchange rates and a free contactless debit card. Please feel free to consult the 'Pricing' page on our website for more details! Response date: 24th January 2018

Hopeless

1

We had a quiet three years with scottish power, but when the time came to leave them, it has taken more than three months to get the credit which is still to this day on our account. it's not a huge amount of money, but we've been fobbed off on multiple occasions that the credit will be paid "in the next 5 days". 3 months and £££ on phone calls, and still waiting.... would never touch them again for this reason Reviewed on: 10th October 2016

Dreadful

1

We're on a new estate and are forced to have E.ONs 'better/more efficient' centralised hot water system. We've been moved in for more than 12 weeks now and are still unable to even register on their website. They have the wrong details down for us, and we have no idea what our usage or bill is going to be. The web team say they can't help, and the phone team constantly tell us 'it'll be done soon'. Wouldn't touch them. Reviewed on: 30th September 2016

Does what it says on the tin

4

I bought Euros from Debenhams for as they were offering the best rate on the high street. They also give a £5 off a £20 spend in store which even though I didn't use it was a nice bonus. The girl who served me was really friendly, however it took a good ten minutes to be seen which was annoying. Reviewed on: 26th September 2016

Nothing special at all

2

I had a Natwest cash ISA for a few years as I had a current account with Natwest so it was nice to be able to manage everything from within one single place. Unfortunately, every 6 months or so, I got the dreaded email from Natwest telling me that my interest rate was reducing, until it was less than half a percent, so I ended up taking my money elsewhere. Reviewed on: 5th September 2016