The Co-operative Bank Privilege Premier

I bank with the Co-operative because I believed they were the most ethical of the High Street banks. Recently married, we took the Privilege Premier Account because of the added benefits (travel insurance and mobile phone insurance etc).

We were satisfied, that is, until we came to need to use the Co-op's benefits and found that the ethical bank has unethical business partners.

Foremost among them is the Lifestyle Services Group, who offer mobile phone insurance through the account.

When the screen cracked on my HTC Desire, I read that they offered to repair or replace, usually within 10 days.

Then,5 weeks later they call and say "beyond repair," and inform me the phone has been destroyed - however it worked perfectly with screen crack.

LSG offered me a measly £250 compared to the retail value of £400 and as a result it invalidated my warranty and customer service. They also told me that the offer was based on the average price available on Amazon.

This meant I had to risk buying a used phone from a private seller, not a respected mobile network provider, and sacrifice all warranty and customer service benefits through my contract. Great stuff, I'm sure you will agree.

I was forced to accept the settlement because the alternative was being left with nothing, a phone in scrap and an excess payment refund of £20.

This company has no respect for customers coming to it through its so called commercial partner Co-op bank - and I would be wary of thinking that the benefits on this account hold any real value - be careful how much your freebie will actually cost you.

DISAPPOINTED IN THE ETHICAL BANK

BelmontMush