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Banks and debt (again)
Long rant alert.
I just got back from the bank in attempt to sort out my overdraft woe at the ever-wonderful Victoria Street Natwest. I was taken into a room, where a "customer advisor" spoke to me and suggested I took out a loan to pay off my overdraft, as the "interest would be lower" and I could pay it off in my own time. Fair enough, I thought, I have 30 pounds to live on until next Friday.
After going through the process on her computer, with her not explaining anything and me having to ask at EVERY sodding step what she was actually doing, I then saw on the final screen that the interest rate would be 20% (WAY more than my overdraft rate) AND she'd ticked the box to "upgrade" my account, which would cost me another £12.50 a month. (a bank account where I have to PAY to use my money? Brilliant!) It was only when I pointed this out that she said "oh yeah… I guess that wouldn't really work out lower, would it?" like she hadn't actually noticed or something. RUBBISH.
I then suggested maybe getting a credit card to pay it off, she said "yeah I dunno, maybe we could try?". Worked out that I could get a 13 month interest free card and I could transfer my overdraft debt to the card interest free. Clearly the best option by MILES. She then grudgingly filled in the forms with the look of someone who'd just been asked to punch children in the face. But then! She had another bright spark... "Maybe you could get two?" No, no, I don't want two credit cards. Why would I need two, you massive twatter?
Seriously. How are banks allowed to be this unethical and rubbish? It's actually a bit scary being actively encouraged to take up more and more debt every time I visit the bank.