Counter Drafts - what does it mean?

[c_jones64]

Hi

 

I just visited a Nationwide branch to raise a cheque from my Flexaccount to a charity and was told that there is now a charge for this service. However, if I used my own cheque book which I received when I first opened the account there would be no charge.

 

Seeing that I opened the account over 8 years ago, and never use cheques, I don’t have the cheque book to hand. They have now ordered me a new cheque book which will probably arrive in 10 days time. I will then use one cheque from the book and probably never use it again.

 

So a few questions;

 

· Why is it called counter draft charge on the website rather than a counter cheque?

· Why is the £10 charge not levied against a counter cheque if I’m the payee?

· There is now a cost to Nationwide for printing a cheque book and sending it to me

 

Do all banks now find these varying ways of raising money from their customers? Is there a bank that doesn’t fleece their customers?

 

Nationwide no longer feels like a Building Society to me, more like a Bank putting money before its customers.

 

Thank you

[Feebee_71]

I found this out recently as well when I went in to draw 3 counter drafts to send in the post to pay for items I had ordered. Each draft was for £6 or less and I would have been charged £10 for each one so, for £17 total transactions Nationwide were going to make £30 out of me.

 

I refused to pay this and went next door and got 3 crossed postal orders at a charge of £1 each.

 

I was really annoyed a couple of years back when they removed the facility from within branch machines to print off cheques and meant I had to go to the counter and draw one of these drafts - which, if you don't send it or, if it gets lost in the post, is non-refundable or cancellable.

 

I believe it's because customers who have the basic FlexAccount don't tend to have overdrafts and so create very little money for Nationwide - I never go overdrawn, don't have a chequebook on the account, no overdraft or debit card. And I don't know the last time I was charged anything by them.

 

The woman at the reception desk went to find out if a cheque book could be added to the account but it can't without me applying for a new account (which I don't want to do).

 

And, while I will now be sent a debit card for the account - Solo I think - they are also withdrawing the ability to withdraw cash from ATMs outside the UK so are giving with one hand but taking away with two!!

 

If I could move to another bank I would.

 

Feebee_71