W-D_Forty

"Lisa" assisted with gaining access to my account. Thanks Lisa for prompt responses and a flexible approach. I trust that you stayed within your company security procedures for verifying 'rogue members' like me!

That is not to say that the account access process has ever been seamless.
On our last occasion 2 years ago the process was awkward for both a colleague and I too.
On my latest occasion, the system simply refused to issue multiple log in invitations, and failed to issue multiple password reset emails when requested for a registered account.
This, after temporarily deactivating all MS Outlook message rules in case an overzealous rule was blocking.

uCheck.. maybe you should examine why your automated invitation system emails are possibly clashing with Outlook's message handling?

16 May 2026 - I chose Prosper UK for SIPP contributions as it currently offers investment in approx 30 funds with ZERO platform, purchase or fund manager fees (actually you pay the fund manager initially, then Prosper refunds them).

I initially expected to be able to access the SIPP if I immediately needed cash or income in an emergency as I am beyond the age 55 access point iaw UK regulation.

However, neither the onboarding process nor the SIPP contribution process make it abundantly clear early on that Prosper does NOT have any drawdown or cash lump sum release process in its app at this time.

This information is available. However, unless you are vigilant, this is buried in its hefty and lengthy "Terms and conditions". Otherwise it comes up very late in the set-up / funding process.

A simpler ALERT about this 'drawback" could be found much easier in online independent expert/professional reviews of Prosper's business using an appropriately worded query into an AI feature such as "Gemini".

Prosper does provide reasonable reasons for not currently being able to access SIPP cash/drawdown and alternatively informs that in order to gain access, a SIPP transfer to another provider who does, would be necessary, ...which still takes time, effort and potentially inevitable frustration!

Since the absence of access to Prospers SIPP cash or income at this time is (in my opinion) a potential major drawback for customers at or near the age 55 access point, I personally would have thought that this kind of information was of major importance to be 'up front' about it earlier in the set up process.
One could end up way too far into the process before you discover this.

Thankfully I shall treat this as a tax effective minimum 5 year investment (founded on an index fund rather than speculated or day-traded. I hope that Prosper soon develops the SIPP access processes as soon as is practically possible).

Online reviews comment (paraphrasing): This is a platform possibly geared toward the younger generation who have years yet to reach the age of accessibility, by. Which time access will be available.

Joined Etoro March 2026.

Using their cash ISA for its very good headline rate at this time (watching closely for 'flogging').

I tested their cash withdrawal process; read on if relevant to you...

Unless you explore this site extensively, finding the ISA cash withdrawal point took some getting used to navigating!

Simply finding the cash ISA balance doesn't seem intuitive (my personal opinion) in that:
Of the app nav buttons at the base of the page, "Wallet" will get you to where you can see your ISA balance, but selecting the ISA icon does nothing to help.
The (+) icon has a withdrawal option, but this sneekily guides you to opening an Etoro GBP bank account .."for instant withdrawal" ..it says!

However, ISA cash can be withdrawn without opening this heavily pushed GBP account (my opinion) but via a much less intuitive navigation as follows...

Instead one has to:
Select the "three lines" drop-down (top left of page)..
Scroll to your 'out-of view' ISA and select...
Then select the "cash ISA" button next to "Dashboard".
Then select the vertical dots to the right..
Select "Withdraw".

A very long-winded, obfuscated and dare I say 'designed-to-discourage' process.
Thankfully, once you've mastered this route, withdrawal oughtn't to be much more of a hassle.

I haven't tried to make a withdrawal yet, simply because Etoro is offering one of the highest rates of interest for this product at this time.

However, I remain vigilant and am aware of the attraction strategies of many similar financial platforms of late.

Message to Etoro: Keep up with the competition regarding interest rates!
Try to be a little less obstructive at accessing ISA cash, especially for those who must try to live off their hard-earned savings during their retirement.
Thanks for being an innovative financial service provider market 'disruptor'!

NS&I really should improve its withdrawal process. It is far slower than any other account that I have ever owned.
Withdrawing cash from Premium bonds was awfully slow on all occasions in recent years. This is occurring even shortly after the 'Win' broadcast day when one might expect there to be no need for it.

NS&I actually warns you of its withdrawal period and isn't even prompt with processing withdrawals on the given day of withdrawal.
However, it is VERY prompt at removing those withdrawn funds from your account at the point of confirming withdrawal.

I suspect that NS&I is conspiring to make use of your withdrawn funds to generate interest for itself during the long withdrawal period.

Meanwhile, for a large cash withdrawal the cash that I'm waiting to arrive in my nominated account is losing any interest it could have earned had it been moved promptly.

Almost all modern banking institutions will allow cash to be withdrawn instantly or within 2 hours.
NS&I should step up their game to match.

I note that OFCOM has not yet even claimed its public reviews here on TrustPilot.
Nevertheless, when it sees fit to:

As of Feb 2026, it appears that it may be failing on two counts:

1. Recognising the scale of public outrage here in TrustPilot regarding the quality of a number of Royal Mail's services. In my case see my objective review of Royal Mail here on TrustPilot.

2. A groaning TOTSCo hub responsible for handling OFCOM's mandated "One Touch Switch" (OTS) for communications service providers.
It appears that in my case my Gaining service provider has failed in its responsibility to smoothly glide me through a relatively straight forward migration of broadband and VOIP voice services.

When challenged the excuse given was at odds with the official OTS documentation, indicating that it has attempted to cover up its actual failure by claiming that it is unable to determine that my losing provider had rejected its switching request until the date of the planned migration.
....Tosh!
I suggest that they arent monitoring rejections effectively and in the first instance failed to provide the correct data (evidence retained) to the losing provider!

If my re-planned 'switch' date doesn't bear success, I'll be sure to leave them a fitting review.

OFCOM: You claim to be monitoring Residential Customer Service Providers that must use the TOTSCo hub for compliance and issuing warnings and fines accordingly.

It seems that your 'teeth are not sharp enough' and their 'arses aren't chewed' sufficiently!

Oh behalf of friends and family:
Letter post to this area (cannot comment on others) from most UK origins has been objectively poor for at least two to three years.

Objectively, because multiple letters known to be posted from the same origin at the same time and into the same point have arrived up to 5-8 days apart dependent on season.

Important banking information has been delayed beyond the reasonable expectations of the originating bank, taking nine days to arrive.
This has led to late set-up of accounts, late payments and with potential for penalty.

Important multiple legal documents have been sent together from a law firm but have arrived delayed and out of sequence, leading to confusion, unnecessary concern and additional communications to rectify.

I am vastly unimpressed and I believe that it is time to fundamentally improve the UK's letter post system.

I firmly believe that management are instructing staff to aggregate letter post to certain areas and is is instead delivering it late and in bulk. I believe this is done for corporate gain only.
Meanwhile receiving customers suffer.

Maybe someone will infiltrate your organisation and perform a covert investigation of your tactics, or that a whistle blower reports unsavoury tactics to the media.

It is also worthy of note that this business has not responded to a single negative review nor flagged any review in the past 12 months.
This provides clear indication of how much Royal Mail actually cares about its customer feedback despite those purely objective reviews from verified and identifiable TrustPilot members.

Royal mail management: Improve or face a massive Vote of No Confidence from your UK public.

OFCOM: Your teeth are ground to stumps. Get new dentures and start chewing Royal Mail's arse harder!

Update 28 Apr.
As expected, another public inquiry this month following whistleblower and 'infiltrator' accounts citing that managers were telling their staff (paraphrasing): "Focus on timed delivery items and bring back whatever isn't delivered during shift."
Hence other mail performs a useless round trip, leaving the depot looking relatively empty for snap inspections and inspectors being misinformed.

This review is of "AO Outlet" only, not AO.com which sells new, unused & unopened items.
However, AO Outlet is part of the broader AO ecosystem, which includes AO.com.
Brief summary of issue: AO Outlet chose NOT to install approved transit protection. Appliance mishandled in transit. Drum impacted cabinet. Potential for early failure increased.

For those interested in the full report, get comfy:
Our 'Professionally refurbished' appliance (a washer/dryer) was delivered by two male couriers, but one courier handled this item alone whilst the other watched without offering assistance.
The appliance was tilted backwards on the van threshold and allowed to drop over 30cm to the vehicle step on to its rear edge.

Having received the item and unpacked it, I observed the following:
- Several small defects that had not previously been identified in AO Outlet's eBay listing.
- A complete absence of any transit protection 'bolts'.
- The absence of four' transit bolt' access covers and one levelling tool.
I contacted AO Outlet. They honoured their pledge to return the item if not satisfactory. However, as in my case and 99% of others I dare say: When one is seeking a replacement appliance, it is most likely because their old appliance had failed, and delivery of the replacement followed a period without a useable item; hence, a sense of urgency to recover.

Updated 03 Feb: I accepted the item but reported the additional damage and how and why I believed it had occurred.
AO Outlet advised me of the following which I believe buyers of its items should BE AWARE OF IN PARTICULAR:
- It is not AO Outlet's policy to reinstall the manufacturer’s original transit protection system in any of their 'refurbished' appliances.
- Any attempt to examine inside the appliance by removing any part would void their warranty.
I protested that the manufacturers own manual instructs users to reinstall the provided transit protection if it is to be moved any distance.
AO Outlet simply reiterated their (flawed) policy claiming that:
“ ..they deliver hundreds of items daily with no transit bolts” ..and that..
"..the Transit bolts are really for overseas shipping due to the rocking of the vessel"
Chief Engineer at AO Outlet: Ignoring the manufacturers own recommendation to protect the internals opens up the potential for damage during ANY type of transit,...and you clearly have no control over how poorly couriers handle appliances .
Using a video bore scope I examined within the cabinet without breaching AO Outlet’s warranty terms.
It is clear from witness marks found at adjacent impact points inside the cabinet, that the motor pulley, drum pulley and the rear of the dryer motor housing has impacted the rear cabinet; On balance of probability, most likely when the appliance was slid off the van and beyond reasonable doubt because none of its manufacturer approved protection was refitted after its alleged 'professional' refurbishment!
I put it to AO Outlet that the truth is: they choose not to bother sourcing or reinstalling appropriate transit protection because it is the EASY option (corporate gain), and that it cares less about getting it right for the customer first time. Consider the cost of a courier's return and further work to recover a returned item due to current 'policy' and courier's carelessness?
This objective report may help others decide when considering purchasing an item from AO Outlet.
About the purchase process: via AO Outlet's eBay presence. It purports to supply buyers with images of the appliance, marking defects with an easily visible 'arrow'. Buyers are making a purchase decision based on acceptance of all of the identified defects.
Update 06 Feb 2026: AO Outlet eventually assured me that my Argument has been "..shared with the relevant operational and refurbishment management teams for review".
Maybe one day they will notify of a related policy improvement. Until then, this review stands fast.

Starting mid Jan 2026:
A comprehensive update / rewrite 13 Feb 2026...and hopefully my final progress update 07 Apr 2026!

Quickline’s marketing, my 05 Jan 2026 sign-up and my FTTP installation all proceeded as expected.
By 19 Jan our home was up and running at our expected speeds and Quickline gave us our ‘Temporary’ VOIP landline number. Our planned Landline number port date and our broadband (SOGEA) cessation date was 29 Jan.

By 29 Jan I had suspiciously heard nothing from my 'losing provider'.
A quick email to 'Team Q' and I was assured that my 29 Jan VOIP migration was “still on track and that I would hear from my current provider after that date”.

By 30 Jan nothing had changed.

31 Jan, I contacted "Team Q" again to seek clarification of facts. I received a prompt email to "apologise for the inconvenience and frustration", that they are "looking into the matter" and "will report back as soon as possible".

A new migration date was set for 10 Feb. I heard nothing more from either provider until 09 Feb when I received a ‘Sorry You’re Leaving’ message from my losing provider stating that my BB and phone services would be cancelled on 10 Feb 2026 at 00:00:00.

On 10 Feb 2026 17:00 without prompt, I received Quickline’s second apology for a second failure to port my landline phone number. I was becoming very concerned and requested some assurance that my 22 year-held landline number would not be lost. Quickline could not give this assurance!

From 10 Feb onward Emma at ‘Team Q’ maintained regular communications and ‘kept a vigil’ regarding the technical progress of my landline number port.
Between 10 Feb and 08:45 13 Feb, and after a good deal of home testing and reporting back, my landline appears to be successfully ported.

I think that both Emma and I have learned that the process of VOIP porting appears to be complex and riddled with many pitfalls.

‘Team Q’ - I wished you well from the start and said all along: “I appreciate that errors and mistakes can and do happen occasionally and that satisfaction depended on how this issue would be resolved”. On the first occasion ‘Team Q’s updates were not satisfactory and by 10 Feb my confidence in Quickline’s ability and customer service had waned significantly.

However, on the second occasion I concede that Emma at ‘Team Q’ stayed ‘on-the-ball’ and whilst the issue was not fully in her control, was making regular enquiries on my behalf and keeping me quickly updated.

I must commend Quickine for making a shrewd early investment in rural fibre comms infrastructure, beating the big companies to supply FTTP by a ‘country mile’!

I hope that anyone who cared to read this far, takes heed: The VOIP number porting process involves at least 4 agencies to work coherently and to a schedule. Ultimately though, it is your Gaining Retail Communications Provider (GRCP) who is responsible for your ‘switching journey’ and whom you must trust and communicate with above any other, despite whichever agency may have failed the process. If your landline number is valuable or precious to you for whatever reason, you should understand that porting is currently still a precarious process and that you can lose connectivity with it at least for a while and potentially forever it goes badly. I hope that OFCOM can facilitate improvements.

If my communications services from Quickline continues to be robust from 13 Feb 2026, then I shall update this review futher in the future.

Update 07 Apr. I chose to move my VoIP account elsewhere. This was not because of poor service, but simply because I required a PAYG VoIP service that Quickline does not currently supply. The process of moving everything from my losing provider to Quickline before splitting up my broadband and phone was, I believed, the simplest first step.
Beyond this point, my broadband service has been largely consistent with any local outage adequately communicated (very busy with new connections in my town). My agreement with Quickline to 'buy out' the remaining period of my losing provider's contract went as planned. I also received a referral fee as planned, again thanks to the 'Emmas' at Team Q.

Update 28 Apr.
Having switched away my VoIP to a different PAYG provider, I received two invoices (for Apr & May) for Quickline's VoIP services.
Thankfully after contacting 'Team Q' once again, a quick apology was received and relevant refunds were processed within a few days.

I encountered this online storefront titled "Jewellery Discount Store" as a result of an online search for gold jewellery as a retail customer. However, despite its reasonably high search ranking and apparent reasonable prices (which I quickly noted were actually exclusive of VAT in searches), some early obvious signs made me stop short of proceeding...

In performing due diligence prior to any personal details being given or payment sent I observed the following:

- The business has no physical storefront (acceptable these days).
- The business address is a PO Box and is not reasonably traceable to a fixed location (treated with caution).
- A given location for a business of the exact same name is sited in the middle of an empty field near Romford (Google maps) (potentially suspicious).
- I found no valid names claiming to be this businesses owner using Companies House database (regarded with caution).
- I find no related sole trader or limited company claiming this business by its advertised name using the Companies House database (regarded with caution).
- The only contact number given is a premium rate line (regarded with some caution).
- I found a facebook profile with zero reviews (regarded with caution).

In fact, the only positive aspect of my findings is that the registered domain name has existed since 2001 and that PayPal can be used in order to 'Firewall' sensitive payment details.

However, to heavily counter this I, observed that:
- the business' 'facebook page' provides a url that does not use HTTPS and may therefore allow personal details to be passed over the internet in unencrypted form, liable to interception. This is at odds with the HTTPS url returned by a search provider.

The website uses a legacy online storefront and 'shopping trolley" system from the early 2000s and is therefore likely to be more vulnerable to hacking attempts as security updates rely on the website operator's vigilance alone (other than the PayPal link).

Together, the above findings paint a picture of a potentially inadequately managed online presence in terms of regularly updated security and care for customers" personal info.

Most notably - It is NOT possible to utilise the PayPal button in the checkout page without first inputting a great deal of potentially unprotected personal details (Paypal already encompasses the full ID and billing/delivery address details for its client's purchases). So why the need for more personal details?

The business' terms and conditions state that it is actually a Business -to-Business (B2B) enterprise and that consumer rights (like the 14-day cooling-off period) may not apply in the same way as standard retail sites. However, the site appears to accept orders from private individuals without providing any business identity and therefore could only be reasonably described as a private retail order.

In summary, potential customers should carefully decide before parting with their personal information.

For the business owner, it may be prudent to provide customers with some evidential traceable ID for the business in order to give any confidence that transactions with its customers are worth the risk and to demonstrate that the business takes reasonable care to secure customers' personal information.

I initially received no response to an emailed query, but after a short 'experience report' here (now replaced with this ugraded report), 'Luke' responded and communicated further without issue.

Through a good deal of research, I have discovered that there are many laptop battery 'vendors': masquerading as UK-based; quoting ridiculous cell capacities, quoting incorrect and misleading specifications; falsely quoting 'Genuine OEM'; disregarding/ignoring/obfuscating customer's attempts to recover funds or replacements for substandard failed goods.

So, it took a good deal of research to discover that there are actually only few genuinely UK-based vendors, and especially those who do appear to honour their contract to provide goods that last for a fair and reasonable period of time, or otherwise act fast and courteously to replace any that objectively fall below recognised consumer goods standards.

I find that this particular business has a traceable UK location, UK company address [NRG Parts], company number [06034135] and 'persons in control' [Mr Mike Tobin (director) & Mr Hang Yee Yip Secretary] who appear to be based in the UK although:
Note: (1) both post their correspondence addresses at the same location as the company.
(2) Mr. Yee Yip is listed as director of two other companies trading from the same location/address and quotes a Hong Kong nationality for one and British nationality for the other.

Their supplier is inevitably 'far Eastern'. However, as a retail customer your contract should be with the UK retailer NRG Parts** ( ..if anyone should find evidence to the contrary, they are welcome to report against my findings).
** NRG Parts does not declare "Trading as Laptopbattey.co.uk" in Companies House, but Laptopbattery.co.uk does state in its website: "An NRG Parts company"

My only caveat with this business is as follows..
Prior to ordering, the item listing quotes:
"If there is no "Add to Cart" button, then the item is out of stock"
However, when the 'Add to Cart' button is available and an order is placed, the email response still includes (paraphrasing): "If the item is not in stock then we will advise you with the lead-time and ask if you wish to proceed."
Hopefully there are very few occasions when this occurs and the buyer is left both confused and disappointed.

I'm hoping that my order placed 07 Dec 25 wont end in disappointment and that the goods last for a fair and reasonable time when used with care.

I will hopfully provide further updates some months from now to objectively report on battery performance and any other dealings with 'Luke' , who presumably is a staff member not a 'person in control'
Until then, thank you for reasonable transparency Mr. Tobin. Best of luck with your business.

Update 15 Apr 2026:
The order and delivery proceeded perfectly normally. The chosen battery when tested appears to be as described. It has been running in its host laptop since Dec 2025 (4 mths) with no adverse signs of performance.

The above report & research is built upon experiences of difficult-to trace-sellers and poor goods and services. They are my own objective findings and are not influenced by any affiliation or incentive.
The aims: good service, good communications and fair and reasonable goods.

I haven't found any issues with Trustpilot as a reviewer.
I have always posted only objective evidence-based reviews based on customer service and value.
I always leave others to decide whether to engage or steer clear and never post anything subjectively negative.
That way I maintain an ongoing good relationship with Trustpilot.

Opened an ISA in April with this app-based company's service.
An enticing introductory bonus rate was set for one year and the base interest rate was also competitive at the time.

What I like about the app is an easy to access interest rate breakdown which clearly shows the date of the bonus rate's expiry.

I don't get nagged by Moneybox to invest in its range of stocks and funds. Thank you, but I know Moneybox would prefer that I did.

I shall create a timely calendar reminder and review what is offered by Moneybox and others as this date draws near.

Update Apr 2026:
Moneybox worked perfectly fine for me throughout the period that I held my ISA with them. By mid April the bonus rate would have rendered the overall interest rate less competitive than a number of new offerings. Transferring my ISA was a relatively swift and simple all-online process and their Customer Services were in touch throughout. No pressure to stay, but I elected to keep the ISA open with a nominal value fund just in case I wished to reuse their service at a later date. Apart from the occasional nudge to invest emails and in-app comms, I believe that Moneybox has been a perfectly good provider and for new customers is still one of the most competitive for its ISA interest rate. Thank you to all at Moneybox!

Contacted this company by email 1 Aug.

Asked some searching questions about the product (laptop battery) ..
Stated that if I had any confidence that the company is selling an 'original' product, it would be immediately tested as the intention was to engage as a small repairer business and wished to retain my good reputation, i.e. no customer complaints about poor capacity or rapidly failed battery.

Have received ZERO response from this company thus far.

This gives ZERO condifence to-date, that the listed product is in fact genuine "original" as stated.

Indeed, I believe that HP ceased manufacturing this product some time ago. Hence, even 'originals' are likely to have been stored for a long period.

Make up your own mind whether you wish to risk purchasing from this company.

Lebara has supplied my whole family's mobile needs; and my own for at least 3 years.
However, it has exercised a policy of discounting for new business while offering less for existing customer upgrades.....Until Jul 2025 when a better value-for-money MVNO has been found and a PAC has been requested.
Only then, does their retentions team attempt to offer an "exclusive deal" which unfortunately in my case was too little, too late. Their best offer was only 1/2 the data allowance of my new MVNO's deal for the same cost.

I have written Lebara reviews in the past, pleading with them to treat its existing customers with the same respect as new customers. After all, I'd rather upgrade the same SIM quickly than be forced to 'jump ship'.

Lebara, I believe that you've been 'caught with your pants down' recently and have for the first time in a long while been outpaced by a competitor.

But I have enjoyed your service. I wish you the best of luck and when you become competitive in the future I will always consider returning.

Placed order via Amazon UK for a large item 21st of the month, with delivery listed as expected 25-29th. (seller claimed that contact would be made 1 day prior to delivery). No updates by 24th, so contacted to request courier name. Seller replied (paraphrasing)- "arranging our own transport" "won't be long now".
28th still nothing. Got suspicious and contacted. Seller replied - didn't you get message from dispatch team? ..Responded "Nothing" and discussed the Amazon contract delivery window.

Seller 'sacked me off' with a: "well that's not a deadline or guarantee....its now arriving Thursday 31st".
I replied with my disappointment at the level of service.

The Seller simply replied do you want it Thurs or not?

I reluctantly accepted Thursday on behalf of the client with whom I had a contract to assemble and install, explaining the predicament this put me in and my own costs in relation to travel and client delay, hinting at a partial refund as compensation for the inconvenience.

The seller immediately issued a CANCELLATION despite the aforementioned agreement, claiming that he had already seen my (objective) feedback regarding this level of service.

Pretty sure that I'd been fair and reasonable. You decide!

Please make your own carefully considered decisions or manage your own potentially lowered expectations from this company when you are about to make your own purchases.

I have also noted that potentially a number of this company's members (and specifically recognise the one with whom I shared emails over this issue) have posted 5-Star reviews about this business on Google. ..Nepotism?
I'll leave it up to you as to how honest this business is and how much regard you give to their positive reviews.

Unable to order for my son in his own name and with my consent to bill my bank account. Some awkwardness when applying in that it isnt possible to record an other's name (e.g. Spouse, child) and place the order against your own billing address details. It seems there is no way to separate the recorded name from the purchasers name against the billing address.
Talkmobile...you might wish to modify this to permit.

Update 27 Jul:
Have ordered under my name, I am now curious that if I try to order a second SIM for another sibling, that I may encounter complications....
....."Wait Out!"

Update 12 Aug.
Successfully obtained and using 3 SIMS with some success. Key to ordering for others (in my case Teenagers) is to register each SIM under the exact same credentials once you have acquired each SIM and ensured that any required number porting has been carried out.
Doing so allows me to view via drop-down icon each of the SIM information (usage, capacity remaining, billing date etc.) The downside is that the user of the SIM (in my case my children) for which you are billed cannot then view their usage unless you give them full access to your own credentials on their device.
..Talkmobile?....Any suggestions on how to improve this situation?

.....Nothing heard from Talkmobile by 03 Sep. I suspect that they don't monitor their reviews unless they are newly posted.

Update 28 Apr 2026
All 3 SIMS have been running relatively fuss free for 9mths.
The only issue observed (and same symptoms with a prevoius MVNO provider) Often, 15 mins into my outbound call all inbound and outbound voice is disconnected without any warning or notifications.
I have discovered that if I tap the hold button twice, I the audio recommences and I don't have to redial. Sometimes the 3rd party disconnects as they stop hearing you mid-conversation and assume the call is dropped.
I haven't found a fix for this yet but will post here if I do.

Talkmobile Techs, Take heed and help with a fix... If you care.

Application for a Regular Saver account through my signed-in app...
What an absolute ball-ache.
The most illogical software process I have ever encountered with a bank.
...and asks for so much repeat data about you that is already in the banks domain since I already hold a current account and had to input that once already. Co-op's app developers must be low budget.

And I have just realised, I went through the same awful process this time last year!!! I found my previous review of Apr 2024. Clearly our Co-op's developers have either given the issue a good ignoring, or they have little competence or money.
Co-op business managers: have a word with your app/web developer contractors. They are laughing at us while you pay them our money!

Update 10 Apr 2025
Received a call from Co-op. They apologised for the issue, maintaining that the banks software was in a period of transition. I retorted with evidence showing that I had issues roughly at the same time...one year ago, also reported separately here on TP. They have pledged to pass on my concerns to their applications development team.

Update Apr 2026:
One year later and still the same 'ball-achingly' process to obtain a new Regular Saver as an existing customer. I wrote direct and they gave their reasons. However their user experience is 'light years' behind many of todays latest financial providers.
Communications via their secure messaging service is a slow (2-day ave in my experience) return process.
At least this is offset by their current Regular Saver interest rate! which is in my opinion worth the yearly tedium m of reapplying!

I agree with 4th Way's reviews of Proplend. I can save much typing and you would gain more from its appraisal than from me.

I have invested with Proplend since around 2019.
For me personally, I preferred the pre-Auto-Lend era, as I had time to assess, choose and bid. The newer Auto-Lend process introduced a couple of years ago confused many, including me; resulting in time consuming enquiry into its rather complex rules.
It means that Auto-lend takes away the choice I previously had in lending, or otherwise penalises me for turning down a loan by turning it off.

On balance I believe that Proplend fares well in its sector. I also believe that its customer enquiry service is one of the most efficient that I have experienced. So I remain a loyal investor, but may now look to diversify my lending platforms as well as my individual loans-parts.

Update Apr 2026: Still offering the same great service.

I chose Holly's site for a reasonable and regular digest of UK and World financial overviews.
I like her style of financial journalism.
It suits me as an infrequent investor who has simply gained financial knowledge freely from the internet out of necessity to prevent erosion of life
savings.
I can tolerate the regular links to investment products; Holly has got to make a living too. They're balanced fairly with articles that I've learned a little from or confirmed my understanding.

I chose Co-op Energy as I discoverd that it closely mirrors Octopus Energy's operation, principles and Ethos.
I could also get a discount as I am an investor in community funded renewable energy generation.

Co-op's website and app are informative, easy to understand and navigate.

I have been treated well so far and customer care is prompt and reliable.

Choosing and switching tariffs has been simple, easy to compare and understand.

I do not have a smart home or generate my own energy yet. However Co-op serves me well so far and has some of the market's most innovative tariffs ready for when I do.

Keep up the great work in offering fair deals and reducing my effect on our environment too.

Update Dec 2024: Continues to be innovative through Octopus Energy's platform. Extremely clear information. Useful account updates and payment forecasts. Simple to make Direct Debit adjustments. Worth 6 stars if I could.

Update 2025
Am still with this service provider and continue to benefit from a £50 annual bonus for my investment into a community energy generation scheme with Westmill Solar via the Ethex platform. The management of my utility bills and usage is still via Octopus Energy and I believe offers me the best value for money service.
I switched billing to Fixed in Jul2024 with the option to jump for free if it did not prove to be the best value...How good is that!

Update Jun 2025...Offered a fair and reasonable 12mth fix with zero exit fees. Switched and satisfied. Keep up the good work.

Update Apr 2026:
Still offering a great service, and intuitive and helpful web site and app. Both Your Coop and Octopus are now starting to be chipped away at by new competitors with reasonable service ratings on 'MSE'. This month I have decided to switch to an available 12mth fix with an new provider at a time when I suspect price hikes to come very soon (current global conflict and economy situation). I might have gotten very close to the same forecasted outlay by staying with Your Coop but only because of their community energy trading dividend. I got a cashback from MSE that just tipped the balance. Your Coop and Octopus.. I regard you both highly recommended and will 'jump back' as soon as I spot a good deal with either of you. Thank you for your service thus far.