Alliance Trust www.alliancetrust.co.uk/

Quite simply the worst customer service I have ever experienced with a financial services company. They take at least 48 hours to respond to any emails, phone calls are left unanswered and any promise they ever make to get back to you is never honoured. To top that they never pay dividends on time, take days to respond to fund transactions and also take an absolute age to withdraw cash from. Don't feel there is any trust and considering they are handling peoples life savings, they do it with such complete disregard for the customer it is almost embarrassing. Never put your money with these people, there are many many better options and from my experience, all of them much better.

Been invested with Alliance Trust for seven years. Not made a penny due to their very poor performormance. Don't believe their reports, look at fund comparison charts which show their performance as lacklustre. Better investments elsewhere. Impression I have is that they exist to stay in existence and for their own benefit -not shareholders. Only two things matter in funds that is running costs and performance. What Investment magazine gives performance tables as does Trustnet site.

I disagree with the older comments here.Other brokers auto receive and send money to and from your debit card & bank account but not Alliance Trust. They will take it but when it comes to sending it back, it's been over two weeks and all I get is polite girls fobbing me off with system down (but not to place a trade...which she couldn't explain)...issue escalated to ombudsman. They also have very limited UK stocks available (they can add them at their discretion).Very polite accents know how to take your money.

Good points:No annual fees (except on Self Select Pension)No inactivity feesNo hidden charges £12.50 per on-line trade (I have never used telephone order facility)Very good service over the yearsEasy to use online trading (enter and cancel; no amend)Trade types: Deal Now, Market, Limit (no stop loss at present Mar 2008)Add funds via Debit CardCan view all buys and sells on-line

Withdrawals via cheque only (costing £10)

Orders always executed when expected to. ' Trade Now ' can instruct you to contact Dealing Desk at very busy sessions.Limit and Market trades always worked for me even during busy periods (I must admit I seldom use the Alliance Trust service at busy times). I would really like to see a stop loss order option.