Bought my car over a week ago now from Guy Salmon in Wakefield. Very happy with the deal but the best part was that when I emailed them to say I was unhappy with the front and rear wipers (leaving streaks and not clearing that well), they immediately posted a full set of new genuine LR wipers!

£50 worth roughly  60 plate SD4 XS, Stornoway Grey, Arm rest pack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly--gT1RJdk

 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

I too had a good experience of Guy Salmon Wakefield too. People there are great

Carl Brady gave me a no nonsense appraisal of the car when I first called and was really helpful when I went up to see it. Got a deal we were both happy with.

Shaun the handover specialist was really switched on and he had the admin properly squared away. He also was a 2CV owner which is always good in my book!

My experience of paying wasn't so good ... The bank messed me about something rotten. To cut a long story short: -

Phoned bank (Santander) twice in the week before to let them know I would be making a large payment.
On the day of the collection, the bank declined my payment by saying I had the wrong pin even though I put the right one in.
Went to Tesco Express cash point to double check PIN.
PIN was fine. Withdrew £20 and got a printed balance to show dealer I had the cash in the bank.
Santander then locked my PIN when I tried again.
After a stroppy phone call to Santander they said the payment would go through after I had unlocked my PIN.
Had to go into Wakefield to unlock my PIN at a Santander machine.
Unfortunately my insurance had run out so Shaun the handover specialist drove me there.
Payment finally went through after unlocking the PIN.

Both Shaun and Carl Brady were really understanding and supportive during this whole embarrassing experience.

Things I took from this whole experience: -

Will definitely check with Guy Salmon Wakefield first for my next motor.

Will be ditching Santander as soon as possible. They were great when they were Abbey but since Santander took over the service has gone down hill... Discovery 4 HSE - Aintree Green
Freelander 2 TD4 SE Automatic - Tonga Green
Defender XS - Tonga Green - Gone Now
Freelander 1 Td4 ES Manual - Epsom Green - Gone Now *
Freelander 1 Td4 Kalahari SE - Epsom Green - Gone Now
Freelander 1 XEi - Epsom Green - Gone Now

www.greenlandrover.uk

Echo re: Santander!  2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

Agreed re Santander (even though I've got a few shares in them - at least they were free!). Not just them though. When I bought mine I told First Direct in advance, but on the day I still had to argue the toss with a man in Mumbai or somewhere similar before they would pay it.

Past master wrote:

I told First Direct in advance, but on the day I still had to argue the toss with a man in Mumbai or somewhere similar before they would pay it.

That would have been their scotish branch at Hamilton then

It happened to me too.
I was with A&L when the takeover from Santander was happening.
I went to pick up my car and must have spent half an hour telling the bank to release my funds.
Don't feel I need to tell any bank beforehand that I need a 'larger than normal' transfer.
It's my money; they'd take it off you quick enough.
Made me feel very awkward in front of the dealer.

So thanks to the Espana half wits who ruined what should have been a great day.

I've moved large sums with good old Co-Op bank without hiccup.

Francis Drake was right  Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

A Cautionary Note

Due to the liquidity problems being experienced by both the Spanish state and all of their retail banks, depositors should keep a watching brief on the liquidity of their Spanish bank.

Like Greece, the Spanish government is getting very close to being unable to raise funds on the international money markets at interest rates that are sustainable. If the Spanish debt crisis is not resolved it would naturally leave the Spanish government with no fiscal instrument to apply to rescue their retail banks. Some have already gone bust, others like Santander for example will then have to do their own Houdini rescue act and it is questionable as to whether they will have the assets to cover their operational funding needs.

In the UK, depositors who have their funds in Santander's UK branches are covered by the FSA's "depositors guarantee" which has a capital cap. It is therefore prudent for those of you with an excess of more than GBP£90k in any accounts deposited with any bank [and it's associates] to move that excess capital out of that group and into another none associated bank or building society.

Also do bear in mind that if a UK based bank or building society registered under the FSA scheme fails and the FSA steps in, it will take time for the FSA to release funds to individual account holders. This time delay could well cause individuals' financial stress and embarrassment similar to that described in the preceding posts on this thread.

It is always a good time to ensure that one's funds are nice and secure, but if you do use any Spanish financial institution, right now is an excellent time to do your own "cash security" check

parallax33 wrote:

Echo re: Santander!

agree, they are so incompetent it's unbelievable !!

it's like the cock things up on purpose

Iain

Santander are the biggest farce of a bank ever in my opinion. I currently have HMRC and FSA looking into a bit problem they're causing me.

Ironically, Halifax have never called me regarding a large transaction, even if I haven't told them beforehand. Which is actually slightly worrying...! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

I changed from the Halifax to Santander, they moved all my direct debits no problem. To be honest when I paid for my freelander Santander never got in touch regarding paying. Halifax on the other hand stoppped my debit card twice when I tried to purchace two items on Ebay from Hong kong. Banks can be very strange with stuff!!

[quote="npinks"]

Past master wrote:

I told First Direct in advance, but on the day I still had to argue the toss with a man in Mumbai or somewhere similar before they would pay it.

I agree that FD is generally one of the better banks. All I can say is that if they don't have overseas call centres I was speaking to a person with poor English and a very strong accent. And it certainly wasn't a spoof. I think you may be confusing this with their online banking service, which is very good and usually has a pleasant Yorkshire-ish accent!

Past master wrote:

I agree that FD is generally one of the better banks. All I can say is that if they don't have overseas call centres I was speaking to a person with poor English and a very strong accent. And it certainly wasn't a spoof. I think you may be confusing this with their online banking service, which is very good and usually has a pleasant Yorkshire-ish accent!

Oh ..has Chicken George set up a call center in one of his old chicken shed,s
...nice little earner Cg  Wales
Were the mud is thicker, and the ruts are deeper.
(And we have the water to wash it off, and more on the way..! )
Sd4 and chrome Ar*e piece, Auto box for best fun
09 Xs Gone
12 xs Gone
HSE with Leather seats and 4 years warrenty.. staying for now !

 ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...