Review Time
I have always experienced excellent service but yesterday was even better. I phoned the local office and after ringing for a while received a message that staff were busy and to leave a message and someone would get back to me later. I didn't leave a message and thought I would try again later and this I did. Again no usual quick response so rang off. Only a few minutes later i received a call from a male member of staff who saw my phone number as "a missed call" so phoned me! As usual he was very helpful and polite in requesting security details and answered all my questions and arranged a withdrawal.
I am a past mortgage customer and was seeking a new mortgage. Whilst I didn't actually end up taking a mortgage with Suffolk Building Society in the end, what I can say is that their team were responsive, flexible and did respond quickly to queries that I raised.
Absolutely terrible building society, applied for a self build mortgage on a barn we are converting, gave all the details and have spent 3 months going through an application to be told after having a valuation done that a barn is not suitable for the self build product, don’t return calls or emails but happy to take £459
Absolute Jobsworth Building Society for mortgages. They told me i had all the documents in order to actually apply and subsequently took my £200 fee. They then told me they needed another document or they would not offer the mortgage. I could not supply this, they won't refund the fee and I am taking legal action. Dont use them - plenty of others Look at their rating!!
In my personal and financial career spanning over 40 years, this is the WORST organisation (Ipswish/Suffolk Building Society) that I have ever had the misfortune to be involved with. They are inefficient, poor-quality staff, take time to make decisions (many weeks), constantly going back and forth mostly on nit-picking matters (why not ask all or any questions early on / up-front?). I am a credible person, no financial issues and approved mortgage in principle. But they and the surveyor constantly mess around. Also, if they have issues with expats, then they should get out of that part of the business. So much stress for me and my broker, waisted my money on costs, and my time. People do not deserve to be treated this way, and they don’t care! As a consequence of what I have been through with them, I have given up on a future retirement in UK and changed my plan and not go back home to where I was brought up in Cornwall. Keep away from them and go to another mortgage company.
Bad service. I was told I met the income requirements for a ex pat mortgage. Days later I got an email 'we just have some other questions' loosely translated to 'we believe we screwed up we better just ask more questions'They then told me I wouldn't be eligible because I owned 3 BTLs already. I told them I made it clear I was looking at ex pat mortgages and had 3 existing buy to let properties before and they obviously don't know their criteria or would have told me that wouldn't pass eligibility from the off.They claimed I didn't complete their form (designed for when you know exactly what you want) and not designed for a simple enquiry. So because I didn't do the form they suggested it wasn't their fault.Obviously the fact I told them I had 3 BTLs in the initial email therefore anyone with an ounce of knowledge of their lending policy would know that was not suitable immediately. Poor knowledge, no ownership and just blaming the customer for their own reps poor knowledge. I also asked about their rates and they just didn't respond to the question.Improve your interview process because you've hired incompetent people.
As it says on the title, avoid IBS! If I could leave no stars I would.Having had a mortgage with IBS for close to 5 years, they have outrageously high early repayment charges( much higher than any other lender). Poor customer service, no customer loyalty and are archaic and rigid in lending- no opportunity to speak with someone at any senior level, if you request a call back with senior management they will forward messages on, rather than directly speak to you. We chose a society expecting a more personable, approachable and trust worthy- IBS are the opposite.Highly judgemental organisation that needs to move to the 21st century.So pleased to have left them and have always advised family and friends to AVOID!
I have been with IBS for around 15 years as a long distance saver, and as such all my transactions are done over the phone or via email. In a period when most companies are using "Covid" as an excuse for poor or reduced customer service, IBS have continued to provide me with one which is personal and consistently excellent. I would not hesitate to recommend them.
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We’ve been a cornerstone of the community since 1849. Originally founded to help people buy enough land to enable them to vote – our mission to provide safe homes continues today.
In 2021 we changed our name from Ipswich Building Society to Suffolk Building Society, to better reflect the broader community we serve.
We exist to provide a safe home for savers and safe homes for our communities. We also use some of our profits to help protect local nature and wildlife, and support those facing or at risk of homelessness and domestic abuse.
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