Ed Jones

The Coventry phone number is usually answered promptly and this time I had my cash ISA switched from a Coventry ISA with a lower interest rate to a Coventry ISA with a higher rate. It pays to keep up to date, as you are not informed when an account with similar conditions has a better rate.

I had a huge increase in my water bill and wanted to change from a single payment to a monthly Direct Debit. The phone number for this is permanently on hold with no callback or queue information, and I could not arrange monthly payments on their website.
There is no email contact either. Very poor service.
P.S. I tried later in the day and got through after a 15 minute hold. The assistant was very helpful and arranged a payment plan, sending me an email confirmation, so I have changed my rating to 3 stars. There should be queue waiting information plus a callback facility. Other large buisnesses manage this.

I have banked with First Direct ever since they opened. The phone is usually answered very quickly and they once sent me a free bottle of bubbly for being a loyal customer. The security device is easy for online banking and gives a good level of security.
I like the quick phone call facility if I need help with an issue.

I cancelled my £49 subscription renewal by phone on 20th June and received confirmation by email from a "Do not reply" Telegraph address, but on 26th June the £49 annual subscription was taken from my credit card. I will now have the trouble of opening a dispute with my card provider. The Telegraph doesn't have email contacts, and the telephone operators seem useless.

I hit a kerb and blew a tyre. Fortunately My VW Polo has a spare wheel and an AA callout was promptly answered and the AA guy came and changed wheels so I could drive home and get a new tyre fitted. He was very efficient, friendly and made sure I could drive off OK. Well Done!

My annual home and contents insurance renewal has jumped by 54% with no claims made in the past 10 years. Trying to get a reason by phone is a waste of time as I hang up after 20 minutes with no call-back facility. Customer loyalty is apparently nonexistent with Saga.
I tried the chat suggestion but can only access an automated chat bot.

I had 6 electronic roller blinds fitted a month ago in my conservatory in Nuneaton. 3 blinds will not fully roll up so the effect is lopsided. The fitter ignores appointments made through Hillarys and has no incentive to turn up.
P.S. The advisor came and fixed the blinds so they all roll up. Thanks for your reply.

I ordered some music to be sent Royal Mail first class tracked and it got sent to a different address by mistake and was not forwarded, so as the music was urgently needed for an exam Presto sent me a replacement copy the next day.
Excellent service at no extra cost to myself. Fortunately the postman got it right the second time.

I ordered a package to be sent 1st class tracked and received an email with a photo showing "proof of delivery" with the package wedged in my letterbox.
It wasn't delivered and the photo was not of my front door. I checked that the address was correct with the sender. Very poor and blatantly dishonest.

I bought a viola at a recent online Amati auction and collected it from their premises in Wales. Apart from being very pleased with the viola I received a friendly reception and Elena included a viola case with the viola that was not part of my original purchase.
Ed Jones - Professional Musician.

I received a viola bow from a London auction which was collected, packed and shipped to my UK address.
Alban had packed it so well that it took me about 5 minutes to get the package opened, but that is not a complaint!

I booked a covid booster in Nuneaton via NHS and their site was shuttered under a different name when I eventually found it after asking many passers by, however I found a walk in center at a local church for my jab

Toilet and drain was well blocked. The guy came and unblocked it and it was not easy but he persevered. Full marks!

Easy to take out insurance. Have not made a claim, but if I do I hope it will be a good experience!