South being where, Edd?

Farnborough. Not as south as you. But south from here!

Cool. Enjoy it!

Orange KitKats rock!

Though I could do without the 'Only 107 calories' nonsense on the front - they know damn well the addictiveness contained in an entire packet...

Down the road from me I cycled there yesterday...First time I've been there, I was taken to a nice pub which had Bombardier on tap (yummy).
My friends were amused when I hopped back on my bike (to ride on the very wide pavement furthest away from the road), popped my pipe in my mouth an wobbled off...

I'm off Tuesday morning though

I didn't know you were a smoker forquare. I thought the pipe was a joke gift?

I was given tobacco with the pipe which was a gift, so I was really tempted to give it a try...I was then given some really nice vanilla tobacco which didn't smell like smoke at all...

It comes out about once a month, mostly as a bit of a laugh and joke but it is oddly relaxing, though I still can't see how people get addicted to the stuff...

Pipe FTW.

And thats all I'll say.

fcuking hsbc, got cut off from doing a balance transfer then get told I have to set up telephone security. I failed this as they asked me to name a transaction I've made on my card.
I don't use the card, it's a joint account and the wife does all the shopping.
Now I've got to go to a branch and hope someone can help on a Saturday.
I'm tempted to move my mortgage and close all my accounts with them.

Banks are utterly useless. All of them.

Which reminds me, I haven't moved my account yet. I really must.

I had the exact same with my bank.

They asked me to name a transaction on the account, so I told them that I had deposited £xxxx.xx into my account that morning. They asked me which branch I opened my account at, so I told them I opened it online. They asked me what direct debits were set up on the account, so I told them I had one which was not used regularly.

I managed to fail all three security questions, and I still do not know the answer to them! If the genuine account holder fails all three questions, what chance does a fraudster have?

The telephone call was handled in an awful manner, so I wrote to their Customer Service department to complain. £50.00 was magically deposited into my account, but I never received a reply from them. After a few chase letters, I actually sent a strong letter to the CEO of their new parent company yesterday, marked "Strictly private and confidential".

I have closed my account, mortgage and insurance with them because of their lack of care.

Peter.

Edit: My credit card company is worse. They always ask me to name the supermarket where I shop most. Does that mean the one I visit most often, the one I spend most money at, the one I buy the most products at? I've asked and they won't tell me.

My problem with HSBC is they are all pigs, their attitude is terrible, they really are only after your money...

Perhaps it's because I don't owe them money, but I have nothing but good things to say about HSBC. Our local branch - not even my own branch, mind, which is in the next big town and a pain in the ass to visit - has staff that are polite and very helpful. On the occasions I've needed to deal with anything more complex, it's been handled efficiently and satisfactorily.

I have personal and business accounts with HSBC, and I've banked with them for 25 years. Aside from not getting any interest on my savings any more, I have no complaints at all.

Having said all that, I refuse point blank to set up telephone or internet banking.

The one time I owed them money they were worse than ever, the cashiers are friendly enough, but as soon as I've gone "backstage" to set up a new account or anything the advisors have always been rude and unhelpful.

Nationwide, although not a bank, has given me superb customer service...

With my short temper and ability to tell when I'm being ripped off, I should have a lot of fun when I open my first proper bank account.

Insurance should be a fun thing too. Me and my dad learned that they are just money-grabbing barstewards. We got quoted £400 for the insurance on the car, so we went on Comparethemarket and got a quote for £300. Phoned our insurance company back, and my dad got me to sit at the computer. Insurance said "oh yes, what quote yoo get?" in the Indian accent. Dad put thumb over the mic and said "pull a figure out your arse!" I said £250.

We got our insurance for £235. Not bad to say the same company quoted us £400 less than a hour prior to this.