Closing a Royal Bank of Scotland Account

Not too long ago Royal and I decided to close our Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) bank account - the one we had to open because his Barclay's Bank pretty much refused to add me to his account (foreigner with no British credit, nevermind my great and long-time American credit) and when they finally did add me three months later wanted him to downgrade his card (from a doing everything card to a just ATM card, with the way he travels there's no way we could do that. Accounts have to have matching cards.  I hate British banking).  The other reason was that the closest Barclay's bank was 30 minutes away and RBS was in town and had a phone number you could call and actually speak with someone!  Barclays does not have that, just a warning to those moving to the big B. 

Since Royal was in Britain at the time (he's away again right this minute) he called up RBS, told them what he wanted to do and they said sure, just come in tomorrow.  He did.

I get a call from Royal on the way to work last week to let me know that I will have to send RBS my ATM card.  Royal had to give them his card and they asked for our checks.  I flipped out.   

I told him I will absolutely not send my card to Britain, that I couldn't believe they were asking for it back like I'm some child who is not capable of using scissors, that I was tired of British banking screwing with us, the damn British nanny state, I will not.  At least that is the shortened version.  I said call them right back right now and tell them I've already cut it up and they are getting nothing off of me. 

He did, they gave a bit of a weak fight and finally said okay we could go on and close without it. 

Even though I have complained about RBS it, in our opinion and experience, is the better of the two.  Even though they also took two months to open a joint account for Royal and I (literally down to three days before Royal left I had no access to any money, and even after we opened the RBS account only my salary went into it so I couldn't touch Royal's salary in Barclay's if there was an emergency, which thankfully there wasn't.  Which reminds me, for you Americans USAA is the best, they were helpful and immediate every step of the way.  When it looked like I'd have no money I called them to raise my credit card limit and got a person immediately who was sympathetic and raised it right up, right away.) they had great customer service about it afterwards and again, a local number and ATM.  After the initial 'send your card' thing, they cancelled the account immediately and sent the papers immediately. 

My advice to anyone moving to Britain and banking? 
Get names, direct phone numbers, and dates dealing with anyone you speak to. Letter writing is also effective if you feel your account has not been handled correctly.
The most important thing is to be the squeaky wheel.  I found that customer service is more slow paced than I was used to in the States (and also there are many more road blocks, unlike the U.S.).  This is not bad necessarily, but you have to know how to deal with it - how to get what you need.   
Definitely be the squeaky wheel, don't be afraid to nag! 

Comments

[Patriot Xeno]

USAA is pretty awesome.

[Kath]

Hell yeah.

[Rae Anne]

Squeaky wheel, sounds like a good thing in those kind of situations.

[Pat aka PI]

I'm quite glad MTL deals with all that sort of thing but I feel his frustration and pain.

[Kath]

Rae: Squeaky wheel gets it done, but it can be hard to do. What I mean is, I have to kinda pump myself up about it because I don't want to bother people or I don't want a confrontation, etc. But man, you get used to it! I have so much more confidence in myself now!
Pat: Royal and I decided in the beginning that he would deal with the U.K. bits and I would deal with the U.S. bits... of course when he leaves I get it all! That's not to say that he did it on purpose to trick me, he'd never do that (well... no, no he wouldn't, haha) it just kinda worked out that way! Let's just say it will be very nice when we're finally settled somewhere :o)