tinaj

It is absoluetely crazy that there is a limit of $1000 per day, especially when most people don't have a credit card when they arrive.

Hope this makes people more aware of it as it can be a major pain in the butt when you are replacing all of your goods!

Jamesy

Sounds like you are having a great time out there Tina, did you replace much out there? I've gotta have one of those huge fridges (how sad!!)

hevs

I'm very sad. I've got the huge fridge, huge top loader and huge, huge stove!!!

Maybe i'm compensating for something

Jamesy

Well my philosophy is size matters! Hubby is 6ft 4 so he is pretty huge too!

Troood

Hi there - just been searching on this forum and read your post. I've just applied over the internet for an on-line savings a/c with HSBC and printed off the 100 point check list. I rang a local branch to make an appointment to verify my documents and they weren't very knowledgeable about it. What docs. did you take with you?

I've opened a joint account so I thought passports would suffice. My husband has a photo driving licence - would this be enough for him? I've only got one of the old driving licenses so what else would you recommend I take. Perhaps a council tax letter?

One last question - did you take the $2000 cheque with you and give it to them or post it off to Australia?

Sorry to fire all these questions but the bank didn't know the answers! (inspires confidence doesn't it!!!)

Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks

bondipom

It might be an idea to bring some ID with your address on it.

I am going in today to sort my ID out in Parramatta

ABCDiamond

I did my ID in Parramatta, no problems at all

Do you speak Chinese ? You'll understand when you get back



Not all branches in the UK know much about it, but when you get to the right person, they seem to be able to handle everything OK.

Someone mentioned a branch in Docklands ? that specialised in opening the OZ account. It would be worth asking the local branch to phone the main one, to get the right details.

renth

You won't have enough ID, you need "100 points" of ID, the passport is 70 points.

Have a look at this:

http://www.homeonline.com.au/HBS_MainPage.php?Artid=18

ABCDiamond

This is from the HSBC site:
If you are not an HSBC customer you will need to provide us with identification that meets the Government's 100 points identification check requirements. It is therefore important to bring with you any of the following to make up 100 points:

Your passport: 70 points
Your driver's license or permit containing photo or signature: 40 points
Letter of introduction from another financial institution: 40 points
Your credit cards or other bank cards: 25 points

Two credit cards at 25 points each, from different financial institutions, count for 50 points of ID.

bondipom

Yep.
Outside the church there were also about 50 people doing tai chee. I had a nice espresso and a bacon and egg roll for $5 and the trains in Sydney are free today. I had to take in the car for a service.

DianeOZ

I had a rather embarrasing experience when we first arrived with the $1000 limit. Not reading the info properly I'd gone and paid bills of about $900 then gone to Coles and did my shopping which took me over the limit and they wouldn't take my card. Luckily I had a cheque book but paying by cheque was a saga in itself too... thank the lord for credit cards that's all I can say.

Nibbs

We were caught with the $ 1000 limit too.

I rang up and gave by best Victor Meldrew impression. Response was that the limit is a legal limit and all banks are the same. Remember when all cheque cards used to be £50, maybe eftpos will change soon.
In the first couple of months we had to pay off the credit card 2-3 times a month to stay within our $5000 limit. Actually next month our bond for the card should be reviewed so I'll let you know what they say.

podgypossum

Opened HSBC account 10 days ago in Adleaide...received the cards this morning, now waiting for pin number.

I get so bloody angry with banks no matter where they are....they set up their systems to bully us into using our money how THEY say we should!!...GRRRRRRR

ITS MY EFFING MONEY, AND I WANT TO SPEND IT HOW I WANT!!!!!!!!!!!...ARE YOU LISTENING??........



no..;.probably not

cafa123

Nice thing about HSBC is transferring money from First Direct in the UK - low charges and very fast. If you still have a Uk account then an HSBC account is worth it. There may be others that can do the same?