Smile Current Account Review

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2 stars
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Bob.'s Review of Smile Current Account

26th May 2003

Overall Rating

0 stars
    Good Points

    Initially, very good customer service.


    Bad Points

    Charging Policy, Unknowlegdable staff. Faceless 'it's not my department Jack' attitude when you need to complain.


    General Comments

    Let's set one thing straight first of all - I am not a complainer by nature.

    Ok - let's start. Initially every thing was fine, the account ticked over smoothly with no trouble at all.

    Then, by an oversight on my part, I slipped over drawn by an amazing, a whopping - 41p !!!!!
    To rectify the matter I payed in funds to cover this immediately and E mailed Smile to advise them of my oversight and apologise. Now here comes the funny part - I was told that it was basically 'TOUGH - WE ARE GOING TO CHARGE YOU £41.50 FOR BECOMING 41p OVERDRAWN!!'.
    I was completely gobsmacked, a 41p overdraft was going to cost me £41.50!
    The clever part of this is that you start to get charged the second that you go over your agreed overdraft limit, and because Smile don't have any branches, you have to pay in at the post office or other Co-op branches, with the funds taking 3 days to credit to your account (it's longer if it's cheques).
    So in conclusion. Co-op (or Smile) are just out to exploit the Banking service of the country and ruthlessly rob their customers with un-necessary charges.
    Further to this, when I demanded the name and address of the Chief Exec to write to so I could make them aware of my case, I was told that they didn't know his name or where he was based, and that he wouldn't care anyway.

    My advice is simple - steer well clear of Smile.co.uk.

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    Members' Comments onBob.'s Review

    • Richard. on 23rd Jul 2003

      Why were you charged for being overdrawn when Smile apparently have a fee free £500 overdraft facility?

    • Maverick28 on 3rd Feb 2004

      I think he was charged because he went over his agreed overdraft limit. Be warned!

    • gerrycurtis on 14th Apr 2004

      I have been banking with Smile for several years and have had no such problems. We have a free £500 overdraft facility that we have never needed to go over. I don't intend to find out what happens if I do!
      The bank has provided us with excellent service and always replies promptly and helpfully to secure emails.

    • zaparcade Rank: Lance Corporal on 9th Aug 2005

      I agree completely. I've changed my bank now, and am just very relieved that I now bank with a proper bank rather than with this bunch .

    • susanbrown Rank: Lance Corporal on 16th Sep 2008

      The same has happened to me, several times now and I am currently looking for a new bank. £30 plus interest for going over your overdraft limit is ridiculous. Especially, when I had money arrive in my account later that day. I am not smiling!