Is it just me or Is Banco Halifax rubbish?

[goansta]

Hey peeps,

Just opened a halifax account in Torrevieja in September- It was all good until i've come home now and realised that i've been charged 25Euros for maintenance fees!! (it was deducted on the first day of opening!)

Is this right? When i opened the account i was aware that forum users said that the account has to be 600Euros or over otherwise you get charged (18 Euros)- But the lady in the Halifax told me that as long as money is in the black there is no miminum amount and you won't get charged any fees. I don't mind topic up to over 600Euros (as it says this on the site anyway)

The online services won't let me send an email to them, the phone number seems to be an special rate (so i assume is expensive) and even so it goes to officers in Madrid who seem only to want to explain the type of account i have which i already know!!

I went to my local Halifax Branch and all they can offer is for me to use their phone- which is one of those phonesHalifax put out in front of the counters so everyone can hear your security details!!

After phoning them up, i've been told that the 25 Euros is for the Halifax Xtra services/ Club- which i was told is FREE to ALL costumers (says so on the site)- And also that there is TWO types of accounts which i'm hearing for the first time.

The man in Madrid kindly told me that i should have read the contract before signing it- Off course its all in Spanish and i don't understand a word, but I signed in good faith- And there is no clear statement from what i can read that charges are to be incurred.

After being transferred back and forth from uk to madrid they put me through to Torrevieja branch who can't hear me as the line cracks up and then they cut the phone off in 10 secs.

I've been told by the man who transferred me from uk to spain that i will get charged 3Euros every "anniversary" year for using my debit card, which i don't fully understand why, but I can live with.

It's taken me 4 hours so far to try and resolve this but all i keep getting is someone explaining that i've opened a "special" type of Halifax Xtra account- All i want is my 25 Euros back!!!

Has anyone else had this problem? OR is it just me

[Laurie Anderson]

Blimey if 25 Euros means that much to you maybe we should start a collection. I sure wouldn't waste 4 hours on it.

[goansta]

hehe...thanks. But its more on a matter of principles- By the time i end up chasing the matter i'll probably be spending more than i aim to get back.

Just disaapointed that Halifax can't seem to resolve the matter efficiently. I will not be detered tho and am gonna have to sort this out tommorow when all the offices are back open.

[morbob]

I opened my account in UK and have not had any problems. The litrature I received at the time gave a UK telephone number 08456003603 as an alternative to the Spanish number. However it does quite clearly state that 600 Euros is required to avoid charges.

[Cinuelica]

I have had my UK and Spanish Halifax accounts for over a year. I can honestly say that I've never encountered any problems. I keep over 600 euros in the account and will make sure it doesn't go below - the reason for this was explained to me in the UK at the time I was opening the account.
The UK office helped me open the account and when I needed to speak to Madrid the people there were very helpful.
The people in the branch in Torrevieja are great - never had a problem and they have helped me with any questions I've had to ask.
I have no idea about two accounts and have never been told that I will be charged for using my card - and so far I haven't.
It may be a good idea to get in touch with the people in the UK (haven't the number to hand, sorry) who advise people with Spanish accounts - I think they may be based in Scotland - they were also very helpful.
I'm sorry you've had such a bad time, perhaps you've inadvertently opened an account which attracts charges??????

[pickers]

I have a Halifax extra account with Banco halifax in Torrevieja. When you open the account it clearly states that there is an annual charge of 25 euros and as long as you have 600 euros in your account there will be no bank charges. My account has been opened since March 2005 and I have had no charges other than the 25 euros. I have to say that I found the staff in the Torrevieja branch very helpful. There is a UK international Halifax banking number you could call "0870 850 0856". I found them helpful providing you had prepared the questions you wanted to ask in advance. ie- don't um, er or waffle.

I opened the Banco Halifax account from the UK before we came to Spain

[Cinuelica]

Hi Pickers
Can you explain the "extra" account please. I've never been charged anything so I am assuming the account I have is different to yours.
Thanks.

[pickers]

[Cinuelica]

Thanks Pickers - very helpful. It seems the only difference to mine is that if you pay in a set amount each month (much like a savings account) you get added interest and access to the other services. Don't really understand where the 25 euro charge comes in tho!

I have a Halifax extra account with Banco halifax in Torrevieja. When you open the account it clearly states that there is an annual charge of 25 euros and as long as you have 600 euros in your account there will be no bank charges.

This 600 Euros thing is only to open the account I think. Nothing states that this has to be your minimum balance

[rayzoray]

Banco Halifax

I have an account also with them, I have had nothing but hassle with them, one of the English staff is totally rude and the new manager should not be working with the public
close the account and refuse to pay any charges

Ray

Pickers missed out this bit from his Xtra account details:

** Charged to the account on account oppening.

This refers to the Halifax Club.....ie 25 Euros

[pickers]

Thanks sean
Yes the 25 euros is the charge for the Halifax club, we probably won't use it but for 25 euros per year we thought it handy to have.

Thanks sean
Yes the 25 euros is the charge for the Halifax club, we probably won't use it but for 25 euros per year we thought it handy to have.

I don't think you get much choice in the matter.............looks like a way of charging money as far as I can see, or do you have the option not to carry this service on subsequent years?

[morbob]

There was no mention of the 25 euros fee when I joined and I have not been charged it.
My paperwork states " You can set up free Direct Debits, and enjoy free banking by maintaining a credit balance of only 600 Euros."
I have always found the staff the Torrevieja branch to be very pleasant and helpful, puts some of the ones in England to shame. Transfered some money the other day ready for visit and the rate was 144 where as the tourist rate was 139.