Americans living in the UK

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I'm trying to get people signed up for Democrats Abroad UK. (www.democratsabroad.org.uk) more info on DAUK below...

Basically, I know that loads of you came to the Thanksgiving party and signed in, but I don't really want to submit your names to the org without your permission, it feels a bit sneaky or something. unless you put your name on a form (like Suzy did) that said DAUK, I don't have your info.

So what I'm asking is that if you're American (or can vote in the states)live in the UK, and want to elect someone other than Bush on 2004, you email me with your full name and the last state you voted in. if you've never registered, or moved around a lot, just say that. no big deal. if you want to get their quarterly newsletter, send your postal address.

send it to me at gendean@deanforamerica.org.uk

why should you do this? a couple of reasons. DAUK will help register voters over here, and get absentee ballots in the easiest way possible, starting jan 2.

the reason i'm asking now is that our 'official membership numbers' get sumbitted on 31 dec. the number of members that we have on that date corresponds to how many delegates we get at the international caucus. fairly complicated, but let me know if you want more info, and i'll explain as best i can. this is your chance to remind the democrats in the states that people over here do vote and do make a difference in elections.

also, if you're interested in joining the generation dean UK(which i run) mailing list (3 or less emails a week) or want more info on that, just let me know as well.

thanks so much!


colette (a2lette), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 10:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I may be "American" but unfortunately, I can't vote in the US, as I never became a citizen.

However, Catty, you should totally do this.

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Americans living in the UK: classic or dud?

Noah Webster, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't cause trouble, "noah".

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Classic! (NB I have a vested interest)

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Classic perhaps, but Madonna = dud

Noah Webster, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, alright, then.

As a GENERALISATION, they're generally more classic than the ones that stayed in America. But that's because, as a permanent ex-pat, I tend to just like ex-pats better than any other nationality they may originally have done.

Though in practice, it really depends on how long they've been here. I really just can't deal with YET ANOTHER American who spends the first six months going "OHMIGOD THERE ARE WASHER DRYERS IN THE KITCHENS HERE!!!" and complaining about the beurocracy they haven't got used to yet and how the UK isn't the US and on and on and on... Once they get over that stage, I tend to like them.

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:06 (twenty-one years ago)

we're classic!

although, i agree with kate that there is a certain breed that isn't so cool. they seem to be people that are here to do a semester abroad or something else short and spend all their time talking about how much better it is back at home.

the only thing i do this about is food. specifically breakfast. i'll never get used to that here...

colette (a2lette), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:13 (twenty-one years ago)

that is because you are wrong ;o)

chris (chris), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh no, I like the food here so much better, mmmmmmm. But that could be because I'm a vegetarian...

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:16 (twenty-one years ago)

i can't believe you're not yet sold on black pudding colette

stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:16 (twenty-one years ago)

madness isn't it?

chris (chris), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:17 (twenty-one years ago)

It is only a matter of time until a London FAP takes place with more Americans than British people. Classic, obviously.

Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:17 (twenty-one years ago)

The post-all-girl FAP a couple of weeks ago was 55% American, for a while.

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:19 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm also vegetarian. and i love a lot of the food here. but miss french toast (oops, i mean FREEDOM toast) and thick pancakes...and morningstar farms veggie sausage. mmmm.

colette (a2lette), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:23 (twenty-one years ago)

For a good hour or so, it was 100% American!

(Well, actually, seeing as how I only count as 3/5 of an American since I can't vote, it was erm... 87% American!)

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Canadians living in the UK - Classic!! (Since I'm probably the only ILXor in this category)

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:32 (twenty-one years ago)

No, I don't think you are, actually, not by a longshot!

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 11:33 (twenty-one years ago)

the other nice thing about americans in the UK is that we don't talk funny!

colette (a2lette), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 12:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Not as funny as Canadians, eh?

(Though yer a midwesterner and you DEFINITELY talk funny!) ;-)

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 12:49 (twenty-one years ago)

(Talking of funny Canadians, what on earth is that accent Rick Moranis does in LA Story? Deeply odd.)

Now back to scheduled getting expat Americans to vote.

Pete (Pete), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 12:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm still reeling from the shock of hearing the return of Bob and Doug McKenzie as the Moose in that Disney bear movie... Yeah, we sure do talk funny, us Canucks! (Just try to use the word "Toque" outside Canada without receiving curious looks)

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Touque is a great word.

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Jumpin Jesus on a pogo-stick. Did I really spell "Touque" wrong? I think I can have my Canadian passport revoked for that...

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:21 (twenty-one years ago)

How do you spell that chips with cheese and gravy thing? That's the real test.

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:22 (twenty-one years ago)

NB I am asking Rob, not Kate.

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Heaven?!

Rob (possibly) (starry), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:22 (twenty-one years ago)

"A GAY CLUB?!"

Dizzy Steinway (starry), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha ha, I am more Canadian than many Canadians. I mean, I can name all four members of Sloan.

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmmm, I see both spellings around the interweb. When I type in "touque", Google askes me 'Did you mean toque?'. Curious.

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:23 (twenty-one years ago)

And that's POUTINE to you, chump.

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Its Canadianness is reinforced by its superfluous U. Hence why I am an Honourary, not Honorary Canadian.

Kate 22 (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

But prounounced "poo-TAN", if you wanna keep it reeeal.

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:25 (twenty-one years ago)

doesn't that mean whore in French?

chris (chris), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Possibly. Both involve late-night Montreal cravings and alcohol...

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:27 (twenty-one years ago)

well well.. now I'm REALLY confused.

Tuque

A tuque is a knited hat, originally usually wool, that is designed to provide warmth in winter. Sometimes considered Canada's national hat, all tuques are tapered and brimless, and they are often topped with pom-poms.

The tuque is decended from the toque, a fashionable sixteenth century women's hat worn in France and generally made of velvet. The French-Canadian Voyageurs borrowed the term and applied it to the somewhat similar knit hats that were a necessity for warmth. During the 1837 Patriotes Rebellion a red tuque became a symbol of French-Canadian nationalism. Today some consider tuques to be somewhat lacking in sophistication, and they are most often seen on children.

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I am a canadian living in the UK... but even rarer as I'm NOT in London! (*ducks*)

Though I nearly collapsed with shock when I met another Canadian - and someone from my old neighbourhood in Toronto no less - at a birthday party in Levenshulme. Golly.

I like living here. I miss a lot of the food, and spacious living, and people not acting like complete morons because they binge drink - but overall I'm much happier here. I've also managed to track down or create substitutes for most of the food I was missing. The sleuthing makes it taste all the better I'm sure...

elisabeth k, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I am happy since I discovered you can get Poutine in a pub which is a ten minute walk from my house!

Spontaneous Existence Failure (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Kate you MUST tell me where that is! Probably a trek from where I live (Highbury), but might be worth it...

I seem to constantly run into people from Toronto here. And I just realized this thread has completely deviated from being an "Americans in the UK" discussion.

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

The Lyceum Tavern on the Strand:

http://www.fancyapint.com/thepubs/pub611.htm

Had some the other day. Yum!

Spontaneous Existence Failure (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Lovely - thanks! You live 10 minutes from the Strand? I'm jealous of you Zone 1-ers.

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I live so centrally Centre Point takes up half my living room window. ;-)

Spontaneous Existence Failure (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm also fond of canadians (esp. the sloan boys)

for anyone reading this thread that isn't american, pretty please help with this process and ask anyone you know that is american for the state they last voted in and if you can sign them up for a great group, and send me the details. we need a few hundred more members...that way you can help without actually voting!

colette (a2lette), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 14:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it real poutine though, with actual cheese curds? I'd still be happy with lots of gravy and grated cheese, but I'm curious...

elisabeth k, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

No, sorry, no cheese curds. But they've got little oniony bits in the gravy!

Spontaneous Existence Failure (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I had other food once at the Lyceum and it was really nice. I'll have to try this. (Also--I think the French word is spelled putain? with no 'een' sound on the end also.)

Colette, it was nice to see you again the other night too. I have tried to canvass for voter registration among my small American acquaintance at college and they all replied proudly that they (unlike me) had gone to the trouble of sorting out registration before leaving the US.

sgs, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 15:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I've never seen it spelled "putain", although that is a better description of how it is pronounced.

No cheese curds?!??! Well, forget it then. It ain't poutine without those wonderful stringy curds. Grated cheddar/mozzerella/whatever just doesn't cut it.

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 15:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Pronounced poo-teen. Mmmm. Don't you want some now?

Personally, I could never get into the cheese curds, although I like the whole idea of poutine.

But I'm all for cheese on fries in some format. Like the "aussie" fries from a pub in TO near Varsity stadium (name escapes me now...) which is fries covered in melted cheese and served with ranch dressing for dip.

elisabeth k, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Where I'm from (upstate NY) we just called it "gravy fries with cheese" - only the annoying Quebequois truck drivers at the diner used to call it Poutine.

HRH Queen Kate (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

OHMIGOD THERE ARE WASHER DRYERS IN THE KITCHENS HERE!!!

you gotta admit that's keen. WASHER-DRYERS, Kate! WASHER-DRYERS!!!

Catty (Catty), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

oh wait, the Hale Clinic?

Catty (Catty), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

We have a branch in VA & that's as close to Americans as I like to get! (apart from the nice ones on ILX)

Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't know who you're talking about, but who I'm talking about didn't move last month, and I don't know the name, so I couldn't tell you if you were right or not anyway!

HRH Queen Kate (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I go to my normal GP. I had a false positive about 4 years ago in the USA and started getting them done frequently ever since. One good thing about the NHS&woman is free oral contraceptives.

marianna, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I admit to being one of those "sigh I miss America" types but then again with all the bullshit I've gone through in terms of bank accounts and landlords I feel I'm entitled.

sgs to thread (again)!

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Hang on, if that were true, ALL Americans would be entitled to bitch. It's not happening to you cause you're American or special or anything like that. IT JUST HAPPENS!!!

HRH Queen Kate (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

When I was told I couldn't have a bank account at HSBC even though I brought in everything they asked for and they told me it was because of 9/11, I think that had everything to do with me being American.

Catty (Catty), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Kate, the problems Sarah had (and is still having) with NatWest in very large part due to being American have been absolutely appalling - it's only because of the vice-like grip of the new money-laundering laws that they've been able to treat a customer SO badly and yet retain her as a customer. Not for much longer. Oh, and NatWest bank, should you be googling this, you've lost so much goodwill over this, you thieving, lying cunts.

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:06 (twenty-one years ago)

So...I'm heading over to the UK imminently to stay for at least the next two years.

I've been reading up a bit on stuff like setting up bank accounts, landlords, and all that, but what do I need to know that they're not going to tell me? In another words, what (on any relevant subject) do you wish you'd known before you came over?

Girolamo Savonarola, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Serious answer - the money-laundering laws have been tightened a lot lately, so the documentation you need for opening a bank account is urgent and key. Are you becoming a student? If so, your student-ness will be the important thing. Make sure you get as soon as possible a CORRECTLY FORMATTED document that proves your student status. You'll also need an address to give them where they can send the documents. You *won't* be able to rent an apratment without a bank account, but you can't get a bank account without an address.

Have your last three months bank statements, proof of residency/studentship, proof of address and any references you can get hold of ready in paper form as soon as you go to a bank.

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:27 (twenty-one years ago)

You *won't* be able to rent an apratment without a bank account, but you can't get a bank account without an address.

Umm...uhh...??? How does one overcome this Catch-22, then?

Girolamo Savonarola, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Where will you be staying on arrival? Seriously, do sort out the bank stuff before anything else, as it will take them at least a week to process your account application. It all seriously sucks ass.

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I probably am going to be staying with friends of family for a few days...I was intending on looking for apartments pretty much upon arrival. Other than that, I guess hostels?

Girolamo Savonarola, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Geez, opening a bank account wasn't this difficult for me. Although there was the major annoyance of NatWest not clearing my cheque for 28 days. It's odd to me because it seems like in the UK they are much more concerned that you are a living, real person with a place to live and etc. whereas in america (sorry kate.. another america comparison) all they really care about is how much dough you got. All I needed to open my lame-o STEP account was a letter from my university proving I was indeed a student (and addressed to my UK address... which is mebbe why I didn't have problems).

Mandee (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:51 (twenty-one years ago)

i.e. you already had a UK address. Girolamo will need the official letter (from the university) addressed to HIM at the address where he's staying. If he can get this sent to the address BEFORE he arrives in the UK, it'll make life much easier.

Girolamo, are you going to be a student?

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 17:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I'll be a student.

So, I need the letter sent from the university to where I'm going to be living in the UK (which won't let me live there w/o a UK bank account) so that I can get a UK bank account?

Girolamo Savonarola, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 18:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, you do. And (and this is essential and very Heller-esque) make absolutely sure that you tell the university you need the proving-you're-a-bona-fide-student letter to open a bank account with. Sarah got a letter from the uni with her address on it and the bank rejected it because THE ADDRESS WAS ON THE WRONG PLACE ON THE PAGE.

(just to cover all bases, don't be Girolama c/ The Smith family at the address, in case that isn't good enough either)

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Should I just call a bank (which ones are worth looking into, btw?) and see what they can tell me about this directly? Or are they going to make it even more confusing?

Girolamo Savonarola, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 18:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I had ridiculous amounts of problems trying to open a UK bank account - DESPITE BEING A UK CITIZEN, AND THIS WAS 3 YEARS BEFORE 9/11. It is just plain difficult to get a bank account. Maybe it's become ESPECIALLY difficult for Americans post-9/11, but my point is... I don't know! I warn my American friends before they come over, but do they listen? No! They spend the first 6 months being gobsmacked that the UK is not the US! I didn't say this wasn't normal, I just don't want to hear it. I had to live through it myself, and I just don't want to discuss it any more.

HRH Queen Kate (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Plus, with regard to Americans moaning about the NHS... JEEZ!!! This makes me want to smack them. Get freaking BUPA or whatever health insurance you had back home that was so great, then. Because, guess what? The NHS is ONE MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN BEING UNINSURED IN AMERICA.

OK, rant over. I should give up on this "working late" thing and just go home.

HRH Queen Kate (kate), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 18:08 (twenty-one years ago)

You could, yes. They'll certainly be able to tell you precisely what they need. The problem seems to stem from the absolute lack of flexibility they've got since the laws changed. The Abbey bank got a £2m fine for not sticking to the letter of these laws, apparently.

It's probably best to call your university and ask them which banks they hve a tie-in with, then call the bank(s) in question. If you can pssibly avoid it, don't choose NatWest.

Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 18:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Mark, Re: Nat west avoid like the plague. Tracer got a bank account with HSBC within a week, no problems, Nat west are just cunts.

Ed (dali), Thursday, 11 December 2003 00:27 (twenty-one years ago)

(a) i went to a large american state university; and (b) for 3 years, a major part of my job was dealing with NYC's municipal bureaucracy = i'd have no problem at all adapting with british bureaucracy.

Eisbär (llamasfur), Thursday, 11 December 2003 00:30 (twenty-one years ago)

adapting to, even!

Eisbär (llamasfur), Thursday, 11 December 2003 00:30 (twenty-one years ago)

i dont understand why anyone is with Natwest, has anyone ever even met another person with a good word to say about them? yet, look how many people seem to be with them! and they've all got problems. just go with HSBC, ive never had a problem once, and, as ed says, tracer was sorted within a week

charltonlido (gareth), Thursday, 11 December 2003 00:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, this is going to be fun. I can tell already.

Girolamo Savonarola, Thursday, 11 December 2003 03:14 (twenty-one years ago)

marianna,

there was a branch of shepherd's foods on drury lane that sold american foods, but it's closed. there's other branches, but the selection is pretty slim.

and you should send me your full name so i can sign you up! and your friends as well...it's easy!

colette (a2lette), Thursday, 11 December 2003 10:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I went with Natwest because they were close to my house when I first moved here. Luckily I didn't have the catch 22 of not having a permanent address sorted, but I didn't have anything to prove I lived there either.

One thing I got (on the advice of the bank before I moved) was a letter from my bank in Toronto stating how long I'd been a customer, and that I had always had a decent balance etc. (They charged me $18 for that - fuckers) This made Natwest very happy. I also registered with a temp agency the day before I went to Natwest, and just gave them their comp slip as proof of working with them.

I sense it might be harder to get an account in London - just sheer numbers of people maybe?

You might want to try the Co-Op Bank (or Smile, even better) as they're supposed to be more flexible about opening accounts. I work with asylum seekers/refugees and they are the only bank I know of that will let people with that status open an account. (but that's a whole other story!)

Back to washers - mine must have known I was bitching about it, because I got home and it was dead. It had blown the fuse/circuit breaker thingy (not a problem, you just switch it back on) but even then it wouldn't turn on again. Now we have to put in a call to our lame-ass letting agent for a repair. I have very little hope of them sorting it out before xmas...

elisabeth k, Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I've never really had much of a problem with NW, certainly not enough to make me take my debt elsewhere.

chris (chris), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:03 (twenty-one years ago)

In regards to the NHS, Kate, I've never had a doctor demand all the money in my wallet in her consulting room and then prescribe placebo medications without first asking what I'm currently on and if I'm allergic to anything when I was uninsured in America. In N11, however....

Lesson learned: take your passport/visa with you EVERYWHERE YOU GO.


As for banks, a lot of people seem to like Halifax. Citibank requires you make a certain income before you can get an account with them. Avoid Barclays because not only are they fuckers (well, I think they're fuckers) they give you an Electron card and you can't use it anywhere, unlike Switch.

I believe you need the following:
your passport
your visa
a utility bill with your name on it demonstrating proof of address (no cable, no phone, no internet - must be gas, water, electric, or counicl tax too, I think)
a letter from your employer stating how long you've worked there and how much you make
if you have already have a bank account where you currently are, bring in at least six months' worth of statements and your driver's license or whatever if it has your picture/address on it. I think HSBC can open an account at your non-UK address and then you can switch it over to your UK address.

Catty (Catty), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:10 (twenty-one years ago)

evil washers. anyone know where you can rent one?

Catty (Catty), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Elisa, the problem now (rather than when you moved over) is the new laws which are totally inflexible. One bank will be just as officious as the other or they'll get into serious trouble.

Avoid the NatWest cos they fuck around people I love.

Incidentally, I bank with Smile, who are great, but when I approached them to ask if Sarah could get an account they wanted 3 months worth of statements plus two prrofs of residency. Which is fine if you've got all that. Maybe if you have been settled at an address witha good relationship with your bank etc. etc. it wouldn't be so complicated.

Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, and NatWest bank, should you be googling this

I don't think this is a very likely scenario.

N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:22 (twenty-one years ago)

UR ALL BARRED FOR LIFE.

NatWest (nickdastoor), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:23 (twenty-one years ago)

a good starter account is at nationwide. it might not be a full checking account (or current account, as it's called here) for the first couple of months, but you can build your credit over here and actually be able to say 'i bank with ______'

colette (a2lette), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm still not able to say that!

N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Nationwide were actually willing to give me a mortgage loan, too, so they're probably on Our Team versus the evil googling natwest.

Catty (Catty), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Kate mentioned post office accounts to me back in my pre-banking days. Has anyone tried them?

Catty (Catty), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I think to use banking services at the post office, you already have to have an account (current or basic) with another bank. It just means you can withdraw money at a post office counter.

You can get a very basic account with them if you are in receipt of benefits, but wages can't be paid in.

Sounds like it's consistently harder to get an account these days... but I do think there's a fair amount of random problems as well. Branches are often untrained or have the wrong information about what is needed to do anything out of the ordinary, even opening accounts. It's worth complaining to head offices in that case. I had a big problem with some insurance I had with Natwest when I had a change of circumstance, and complained to head office - who sorted it out, promised to re-train staff at my branch and also refunded me two months of premiums.

elisabeth k, Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:46 (twenty-one years ago)

NatWest was the bank I joined because I initially did Bunac and they had an agreement with one of the big branches. I kept the account even after Bunac-ing because I knew what a hassle it would be to open another. I didn't have a problem with NatWest until they stopped having real branch service and hived off everything to calling centres and Lending branches in deepest Nottingham. It's like there's a Centre for everything but no actual centre. It's probably some kind of sacking offense to give a 'real' phone number for a real person with a real job, so for six months I've had no bank account because this fucking numpty I'm having to complain to about the breakdown in service can neither write nor add up numbers, and has the most condescending manner possible when referring to 'bank guidelines'.

I'd had a busy time of it since notifying my bank I'd moved last autumn, what with rebelling builders, the move, and stress about work because the $800 I was expecting over Xmas from an art magazine never arrived. It was ages before I did a heads-up and realised I'd only had one statement from my bank since the move. NatWest not only lost my address, they carried on a direct debit after I'd stopped it, charged me admin fees when the money wasn't there, never sent me a statement, letter or took any action when a monthly loan payment started to bounce. When I eventually called to ask where the fuck 8 months worth of statements were, they rang me back to tell me I'd missed £650 worth of payments - news to me, because although I'd had no statements, I'd had occasional pieces of mail from the bank at this address, and because it was an internal loan payments should have gone through as long as it didn't go too far over my limit. Obviously I couldn't help them sort it out until I'd seen my statements, which took a few weeks to arrive. When I was in the middle of making a complaint and had made some headway, they began to default my SMALL loan and froze everything. And although I've made good the arrears, and they've refunded me over £200 in charges and interest, and snidely apologised for some of the mishaps, they won't put my account back. I think 'bank guidelines' went out the window a while back, and the bank are culpable in this situation at the very least.

NatWest SUCK. They suck so bad I'd like to ask ILX to help me sort it. I need someone who can spout legalese at the fuckers slightly better than me, who knows how to hog-tie middle management schmucks into doing what they should have done. As ever, when one is underemployed one is always flabbergasted to see just how badly the gainfully employed do jobs some lunatic lets them keep. HELP!

suzy (suzy), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Scottish equivalent of NatWest (to be avoided at all costs, going by the reports of everyone I know who banks with them) = Bank Of Scotland.

N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:51 (twenty-one years ago)

But ironically, Royal Bank Of Scotland own Nat West.

Actually teh majority of our overseas students bank with NW in Tavistock Square and have never had a problem as they are used to overseas students. This is the truism, go for the one nearest your University, especially if there is a link. (I have once wandered to the Brixton branch to lay the law down to one manager who was being very pissy to a student. It was a very satisfying experience to watch the petty pen pusher crumble).

NatWest do give you their bank phone number these days, but in the end the key point is sitting in there all the time. That and copying all correspondance and unfortunately checking your balance regularly.

Pete (Pete), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I've been with NatWest for 11 years and have never had too much of a problem with them except when they fucked up issuing me with a card replacement. 1 hassle in 11 years isn't awful. I think if I was starting an account now I'd shop around more though.

Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Thursday, 11 December 2003 11:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Americans telling you more than you know about your own city/country/culture/history, C or D?

Pete, Bank of Scotland is not the same as RBS. A lot of Scots either don't dig the 'Royal' in it and so go elsewhere on point of principle, or they are of the generation who protested at RBS' administration of student loans by boycotting it, when only Scots had to have them.

People who have a salaried job tend to have less problems with banks, as a rule. Freelancers get no respect. I gave up calling my bank to say the checque I'd been promised for the 15th was going to be a fortnight late when I could visualise the ning on the other end rubbing their hands in glee at anticipation of all those lovely bounce charges.

One thing UK banks have over US banks is the whole free chequeing/free overdraft thing.

suzy (suzy), Thursday, 11 December 2003 12:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Damn, Suzy. YOU would be the person I would call for verbal hog-tying and the spouting of legalese.
Just use the most calm, controlled, condescending tone possible.

Catty (Catty), Thursday, 11 December 2003 12:14 (twenty-one years ago)

And the not-charging you for use of other cashpoints/ATMs. Assuming that's still going on. I haven't been able to use my bankcard in an ATM since I got it.

Catty (Catty), Thursday, 11 December 2003 12:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I completely sypathise with all of the above. Luckly, I did have a place to live when I got here, and I didn't need a visa as I have "Right to Abode" in the UK thanks to my mom being born here. And before I moved here from Canada I was FULLY warned about all the banking hassles, and the whole bank account process was STILL a massive pain in the ass. Here I am with a big wad of money to deposit, and no-one wants it!

The proof of UK address thing is a bitch. My suggestion is to have your former/current bank elsewhere send you a statement/account summary/anything to your planned UK address. Having a gas/water bill if often not possible or quick enough. I had Bank of Montreal back 'home' do this and it really helped. But I didn't have a job and that certainly slowed things down. I wound up getting a shitty temp job and SIX WEEKS later I had a proper account with HSBC, who I'm reasonably happy with, although I was mad about only having a 'solo' card to start and not a 'switch'.

Now I have a good job and of course HSBC are all over me like white on rice about new cards, services, etc. Where was this love when I was desperate to deposit my money so I could LIVE, goddammit!

Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Thursday, 11 December 2003 12:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, exactly, Catty. I like to think I can sort out anything if I can establish some kind of rapport with the person I'm dealing with, but their system leaves no scope for that now, it's too defensive/adversarial; I saw the problem as a few mistakes made by both parties and easily sortable, but clearly I am dealing with someone who disagrees. I think we can add 'does not know how to read' to my list of complaints about Juli@ H3nry from the Customer Lending Centre in Nottingham (WTF is my loan doing in NOTTINGHAM?). And she sounds like an adenoidal grey-faced shrew on the phone, too. I'm about to write back and tell her that her litany of errors, lack of ability to express herself clearly when not adapting a snide tone and general quality of correspondence has caused me to seriously doubt her professional judgement, so let's go to the Ombudsman, mm-kay?

suzy (suzy), Thursday, 11 December 2003 12:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I know Suzy (Bank Of Scotland are now with Halifax, hence HBOS). Because of the emnity twixt RBOS and BOS this was what was ironic about it. It wouldn't have been very ironic if the crap Scotish bank was also the crap British bank, wherease upthread someone had said that Halifax (or HBOS now) were quite good).

So tell me something I don't know.

Pete (Pete), Thursday, 11 December 2003 13:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I was wondering if someone would misread Ptee's post, but I had no idea he would be so huffy about it.

Actually I'd probably be just as huffy about it - I hate people thinking I'm stupid about things I'm not actually stupid about, especially when there's so much real stupidty pickings.

N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 11 December 2003 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)


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