written by on 13/12/2013
very complex login security process that keeps changing from year to year - and if you happens to forget your user id or passkey - you will spend hours on the helpline.....every-time you call there is this recorded message " we are exceptionally busy ...etc." .. the line drops dead in the middle of conversations (happened several times ). the only time i found the helpline useful is when I asked them to close the account ... I wouldn't recommend the online supposed-to-be EASY ACCESS account.
written by on 04/09/2013
I have all my savings in this account. Recently tried to withdraw money from ATM machine and the card was retained and I couldn't withdraw any money. They have sent me a new pin number but as of todays date no card. I have been trying to ring them all day and have been told they are exceptionally busy and then they put the phone down. All I want is access to my money and when I do get through I will be closing my account!
written by on 15/09/2011
Tesco have an impossibly complex security system, and they are extremely slow at responding to requests or enquiries. I am truly sorry to say that there's no way I could possibly recommend them.
Written on: 04/10/2011
Don't even consider Tesco Savings. I managed to withdraw some money (after three weeks), the cheque was hand written and difficult to read, signed in two strokes by anonymous people. Then they sent me a one-page statement which said it was page one of two, so goodness knows what the other page was supposed to show. Overall, a bunch of amateurs.
written by on 18/03/2011
Just attempted to withdraw money from the "so called" easy access savings account. Can only agree with all of the other reviews. DO NOT open a Tesco savings account under any circumstances! The account had only ever been used as a savings account and as soon as I try to withdraw money I am unable to!
My Father has just died and this money is needed to help pay for the funeral expenses. God knows when I will get the money. Totally unhelpful staff and there appears to be no easy way to access my money at all. Closing the account as soon as possible now!
Written on: 20/06/2011
I am having the same experience. Can't access my account online, it says there's a problem and 'contact us'. It's an 0845 number which means I pay per minute. I've been on the phone at least 20 minutes which I am paying for, and still no reply. I need the money to buy a house, and will literally lose the sale if I don't get the money on time for completion. JUST DON'T DON'T DON'T PUT YOUR SAVINGS IN THE HANDS OF TESCO. THEY ARE UNRELIABLE AND CAN'T CONTACT THEM BY PHONE OR ONLINE. THEY DON'T HAVE A BRANCH YOU CAN WALK IN, SO YOU ARE STUCK WHEN YOU WANT TO WITHDRAW THE MONEY IN A HURRY.
Written on: 10/07/2012
i am having trouble receiving new cards and I cannot even get to my savings. Have you got any advice as I need to get to my savings. All I seem to get is incompetent staff who lie and I don't know what to do next!!
written by on 12/01/2011
Needed to get a transfer done but discovered I didn't have a pin. How refreshing to speak to English people who did my transfer over the phone immediately and then put me through to order a new card. Both where very helpful and knowledgeable. Its so nice to have a company with call centres in England!
written by on 29/12/2010
Everything about setting up and operating this account is appalling - except for the very reasonable interest rate. So I have gritted my teeth and carried on, the whole purpose of savings is to earn interest, and that's what my Tesco savings account has done well for 2 years now.
written by on 05/10/2010
I've had a Savings account for the past year. I managed to negotiate the massive hurdles needed to open an account but always found it very difficult to log in.
Tonight I tried to access my money but the system wouldnt let me in and instead told me I had to re-register and wait 5 days for a new code to come through the post. I need the money now so looked for a phone number, one went through to a fax when it says telephone number, the others didnt work. Had to google search to get the number. Called up and I was told they couldnt unlock my account.....they will pass my number on and I might get a call tomorrow, but they may not be able to unlock my account.
I need the money today....but have to now wait 5 days....what a stupid system. Im withdrawing all my money and closing when I get access.
written by on 19/08/2010
I have had money fraudulently taken out of my account and the customer service was disgusting. The staff seemed to be friendly but did not do anything to help in such a stressful situation, they were full of promises but let me down, I can't even withdraw my money now, they sent another atm card but said it can't be used with a pin number, they sent statements of the account but from February, not the recent ones for August. I have to contact the police but can't until they send recent statements out, this has been going on for over 2 weeks and they promised that it will be dealt with urgently as I am a pensioner. All of my savings are in the account.
written by on 06/08/2010
Terrible customer service. A nightmare to withdraw money. Don't bother is not worth the stress! Was told by a customer service representative that they, 'Weren't a bank', too right he was! Put your money in a proper bank!
written by on 29/03/2010
As with other reviewers, I cannot believe the laborious process required to get an Internet Saver account up and running with forms, letters, pincodes and card readers all being sent one at a time through the post. I attempted to open an account on 10th March and on 29th March I am still waiting for a card reader so that I can withdraw my own money if required. Also, withdrawals are not actioned for 3 working days and then take another 3 to reach the destination account. The other irritation is that Tesco cannot handle the Firefox browser and I have to remember to log on using Internet Explorer. I don't have this problem with any other internet account. All in all, the only positive feature of this account is the current interest rate and I'm now thinking it's not worth the bother. Luckily I only put in £10 to open my account - I don't think I'll put in any more!
written by on 16/03/2010
First you have to sort out the security. I thought they'd come round with a load of burning hoops! The process was so lengthy and time consuming. I'm sure it's set up this way to lock people's money in. The card reader, in fairness, is a good security feature - but there's just too many codes to remember. And if you forget ANY of them, it takes weeks to get a new passcode/registration number/card reader pin/reminder of user ID and user number etc etc etc. Put it under the matress. Oh - and there doesn't appear to be ANY info on account closure. I'm writing to them to close after reading someone else's comment here.
written by on 12/01/2010
I agree with everything previously written! keep away from Tesco Banking. Their systems and service are impossible to cope with. I have lost track of the phone calls to their Telephone Banking, Internet Banking and Customer Services. I started opening an Easy Access Account (that's a laugh!) in October 2009... still cannot get access. There is nothing "EASY" about Tesco Banking. It's a pity they don't rename Easy Access to Impossible Access... at least you would know what you were getting in to.
written by on 02/10/2009
WARNING! Don't take out an internet saver account with Tesco. You cannot get your money out without a pin reader... it takes weeks to close the account and only by writing to their office address!!
Much better service from Sainsbury's internet saver. You can close the account on-line and you get the money in your bank account within a couple of days... My recommendation is to go with Sainsbury's...
written by on 26/09/2009
Definitely the worst savings account around!!!
Opened the account online. Printed the paperwork and sent it off with a cheque.
3 weeks later, received confirmation that the account was opened and visited the website where I then had to print off a letter, sign it and send it off to them. Another week later, I started receiving letters with PIN numbers and cards which came with more slips to sign and return to them. I received a code to give me further access to the website but was unable to anything further as I needed a card reader which took another two weeks.
I tried to set up a link with my bank account so I can pay money in. Unfortunately, the form which I had to sign and return to them to set this up jammed up in my printer and the system would not let me reset the order or reprint the form. Called Tesco yesterday who were not helpful and simply stated that this was their policy and this is what had to be done. I now have to wait up to 2 weeks for them to send me yet another form to sign and then upto 3weeks after returning it for them to actually set up for me to pay money into the account as they do not recommend paying by transfer direct from your bank for some reason. I can take money out but cannot put money in....ridiculous!!!!
I am today going to transfer the money form the account and then write them a nice letter complete with signature (which they appear to like so much) and close the account.
written by on 26/09/2009
I have opened a Tesco Internet Saver Account. While the interest rate is fine, the whole process to open the account is the most long winded I have ever experienced. I have several online accounts with various banks / building societies and this is by far the worst. The whole process to open an account takes several weeks and includes several paper based steps.
The online service (when you can eventually log into it) is poorly designed and illogical. Oh and forget 24/7 access, the online service goes down for several hours every night. My advice... go to Sainsbury's bank instead, their online service and sign up process is FAR superior!
written by on 29/07/2009
I opened this account when interest rates were 2.5% (including first year bonus). By the time the account was opened I received a letter saying the rate had reduced to 2.25%.
Other institutions are increasing their rates - and in fact have moved savings to Coventry Building Society at 3.3%.
I still had a feeling of goodwill towards Tesco, and wrote to the Managing Director, explaining this - and pointing out the direction interest rates on savings are moving.
I received a phone call from someone in the call centre - NOT IMPRESSED.
Tesco are moving into current accounts later this year. They will have to do better than this!
written by on 25/04/2009
opened Tesco Savings Account in jan. No problems transferring money in. Then tried to transfer money out. I was unable to I phoned telephone banking and they said had to use my card reader. Whats that I said. 1 st time I had ever heard about it. They ordered me one and finally after ordering one three times it arrived 4 months after opening account.
This is the most annoying internet account ever.
written by on 22/04/2009
same problems as other customers - I have had to wait weeks for a card reader from Tesco Savings Account although if you phone they will transfer money in and out of accounts for you. Just received card reader and now site has gone down. I am giving up on this account and sticking with Barclays.
written by dffd on 20/04/2009
tesco savings account does not operate like a normal bank account. They cannot make normal BACS(4 day transfer ) or CHAPS(same day) payments and getting your money out will take a lot more time than normal banks.
written by miss600 on 27/03/2009
Tesco Savings Account has good interest rates. Infuriating process designed not to pay out your money. Ridiculous initial set up and password reset process
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Lifexperience's Comment
Written on: 04/09/2014
I can honestly say that Tesco Bank Savings staff are friendly and very helpful. They usually answer the phone within a couple of minutes and will stay on the phone until you problem is fully resolved. There online saver has no catches and the best rate on the market under these circumstances. They also write to you to warn you your account is reaching a year and the rate will be dropping. Just a case of making a note of the expiry date and close the account on that date and reapply for a new one, to enjoy another year at the current rate. This of course is always the best solution to any savings account with a bonus. Why get paid peanuts. I find their online access usually quite good and not complex at all. I have no complaints.