First Direct - I will be the first to direct you away.

Advantages: See text.
Disadvantages: See text.

...I would just like to write a review on First Direct, an internet banking organisation that I opened an account with some years ago (although this account is now actually in fact closed for reasons which I shall tell you about a little later on in my review). First Direct as already noted is an internet banking firm, which is wholly owned by the high street bank known only as HSBC. They offer all of the different services that a normal high street bank offers, and you can take care of your account online (although you can still use your local or any branch in fact of HSBC in order to conduct your affairs). By way of different services, I mean of course all of the different accounts that you can (current; savings, etc); the various ISA's etc that all of the banks have; insurances; loans and mortgages, to name but pretty much all...

dynamicnurse 18.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

The Janson Directive

Advantages: (+) plenty of suspense (+) global scale, not solely one one setting (+) great detail
Disadvantages: (-) only begin this book if you have the time to continue reading - addictive!!

...of the Bourne series. Another interesting fact that many may not know, is that he chose to use the same pattern for all of his book titles - in other words, "The [Proper Noun, i.e. Bourne] [Noun, i.e. Ultimatum]". Ludlum died at the age of 73, on 12 March 2001 in Naples, Florida. BRIEF INTRODUCTION The Janson Directive was published in October 2002, a year or so after Ludlum's death. The story concerns Paul Janson who is an ex-employee of the Navy SEALs (the US Navy Sea, Air and Land Forces) and former member of an undercover government agency referred to as Consular Operations. He is constantly reminded of - and caused distress by - the Vietnam War, in which he was involved. Janson's emotions are worsened by the fact that his commander (and good friend) Alan Demarest arranged for him to be captured and tortured by the Viet...

vcarina88x 23.01.2009 (19.01.2009) · Read review
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Review of The Janson Directive - Robert Ludlum

First Direct - Banking Heaven

Advantages: Excellent customer service
Disadvantages: Low interest rate

...I know that I have written a reviews recently about First Direct (a division of HSBC Bank plc) and their products and facilities and 'no', I do not work for them and am not on any commission! However, I would be delighted to work for them as I think they are absolutely first class..... After 30 years of banking with the Halifax I moved to First Direct for my banking. The reason I moved was because I took out a mortgage with First Direct and one of the conditions for getting a mortgage was that I had to open a bank account with them. I can quite honestly say that First Direct are like a breath of 'fresh air' in the world of banking. This is one of the best moves I have ever made and I am delighted with the outstanding customer service and the excellent products that First Direct offer. One of the most pleasing things about...

Krazikas 14.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

Direct cover

Advantages: cost, good cover
Disadvantages: previous experiences, see review

...Is everyone sitting comfortably? Then I?ll begin ? I have always been a named driver on my mum?s insurance via Direct Line. Whilst on her insurance I managed a number of interesting manoeuvres and yet somehow 5 years later she still had a couple years no claims bonus! I bought my new (second-hand) car and then set about insuring it. After all the hundred of comparison adverts on the television I began my search there. I was 25 years old at the time and everywhere was quoting higher then my budget would allow or barely covered me for anything. I was on the phone with my mum when she told me to call Direct Line for a quote as they?ve always been good to her. It did dawn on me that I hadn?t seen them on any of the compare websites. I had a look on their website and entered all my details. The quote was really good so I phoned...

znh3ra54 04.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Direct Line Insurance plc

FOR MASH GET MASH (DIRECT) !!

Advantages: Delicious, fast potato
Disadvantages: None as far as I can see

...MASH DIRECT I bet you think 'What a lazy mare!!' when you see that I have bought and used (and quite regularly I may add) ready made mashed potato. But please hold your judgement on me until you have read this review. I first came upon this product about six months ago when I was taking the makings of a sunday lunch 60 miles away to my daughters, I wanted it to be quick and easy to prepeare when we arrived there. I had a roasted ham, a pack of prepared brocolli and cauliflower, a pack of potatoes ready for roasting, some asparagus tips and a pack of cheese sauce mix, then in my local Booth's supermarket I came across the Mash Direct range of vegetables so I bought a pack of ready cooked carrots and parsnip and a pack of the mashed potatoes. I was hooked!!! MASH DIRECT Mash Direct is a fairly new company. It...

oldchem 09.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Mash Direct Mashed Potato

First Direct Offset Mortgage

Advantages: First Direct - great offset mortgage
Disadvantages: Too easy to access the equity in your home!

...The first thing that attracted me to a First Direct (a division of HSBC Bank plc) offset lifetime tracker mortgage was that it was listed at the top of the 'best buy' tables on moneysupermarket.com. A quick search revealed that it had also been voted the best lender for customer service in the Which? Money survey on mortgages 2008. This was the second year running that First Direct had come out on top. With a score of 90% first direct was 11% ahead of its nearest rival in the survey of 18 lenders. First Directs mortgages have won numerous awards over the years, the most recent being What Mortgage Magazine's winner of Best Direct Lender over 5 Years (February 2007). In January 2009 their offset mortgage was one of the lowest rates on the market. Although I was not actually looking to remortgage at this stage because I still had nine...

Krazikas 28.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of First Direct Mortgages

Go Direct!

Advantages: Great value for money, good website
Disadvantages: Don't offer as many destinations as other travel companies

...>>>>Overview<<<< "Why pay commission? Cut It Out! Go Direct!" Direct Holidays cuts out the middle man and helps you to cut the cost of your holiday, so in other words there is no travel agent involved and therefore no commission. They offer holidays to all the popular destinations such as: The Canaries, the Balearics, Spain, The Greek Islands, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Turkey; as well as worldwide destinations such as: Tunisia, Mexico, Florida and Jamaica and they offer flights from all major UK airports. They are part of the Thomas Cook Group along with Airtours, Cosmos, Going Places and My Travel. In addition they are ATOL Protected so this gives you peace of mind when using them. I have used Direct Holidays about 5 times and I have never been disappointed with the service I have received. They really do offer excellent...

mrsm23 07.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of direct holidays

Furniture @ ASDA DIrect

Advantages: Cheap, Easy To Construct
Disadvantages: Cheap, Damaged

...When I moved house in May I needed to buy furniture for my living room - but on a budget; a small budget with a view to replacing it at a later day when my bank balance had recovered. After searching all over for reasonably priced furniture I turned to ASDA Direct. I ordered an Ohio side table, Ohio coffee table and Ohio TV unit. The Ohio TV Unit is an ASDA Best seller, priced at £35 and finished in "Wenge" which wasn't a term I was familiar with myself. The coffee table is priced at £30 in the same finish, whilst the side table is priced at just £25. The range also includes a bookcase at £35, a sideboard at £35 and a nest of 2 tables for £30. Overall there is a wide range of furniture at an amazing price. The ASDA Direct website is extremely easy to navigate, process and order and checkout. Each item has a simple explanation...

carysb 23.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of direct.asda.com

Hastings Direct - AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Advantages: None if you have to claim
Disadvantages: Appalling service outside of FSA guidelines

...On returning from my recent trip to France, I came home to find to find two nasty surprises. The first was in my haste to leave I had forgotten to do the washing up and there was a good smelly pile of decaying plates and cups just waiting for an industrial hose. No one else to blame but myself on that one. The second nasty surprise was that my car had been stolen. Like any insurance policy be it home, personal or car the true worth of the policy is only measurable once you have to make a claim on it. You can have the cheapest premiums in the world but if when you come to need the insurance company and they fail spectacularly to deliver, what price those discounts now. I never asked to be Hastings Direct. In the same way we never asked to be under Gordon Brown, my policy was transferred from Budget Choice. I do not know the ins...

Funzo 22.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of Hastings Direct

Delightfully Direct

Advantages: Great choice
Disadvantages: You have to wait more than 5 minutes before wearing them!

...I need all the motivation I can get, so after reading Blurbubble’s account of the immense trauma experienced whilst trying to order from Kays Catalogue I decided to let everyone know not all home shopping is destined for disaster! I have held a Debenhams card for some time now – and have advanced through the ranks to a Gold card (with a credit limit of nearly £5,000 - Aaargh the temptation!). With the customary bumf you get sent with this kind of thing there was an advert for the Debenhams Direct catalogue so I sent of the form to try it. You could also order the catalogue via the website or customer services in a Debenhams store. The catalogue will arrive within a few days; it used to be lovely hardback – very like the Next catalogue (but free) – but these days it’s the slightly more eco friendly...

MonkeyMoo 03.06.2003 · Read review
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Review of Debenhams Direct