My already raised blood presuure is sky high this week, thanks to the Post Office. Having tried unsuccessfully all day over a week ago to transfer all my savings over to my 'nominated current account' so I could pay for my new roof, I had in the end to phone. The call centre is in Northern Ireland - oddly comforting, or so I thought. First, over the phone only £15,000 can be transferred, so I have to write to them requesting the rest. A week and many phone calls later no money has appeared in my current account - I am variously told it takes two working days, up to five working days, and it should've been in the day after I requested it.

Yesterday, more than a week after the requested transfer, and after three phone calls, 'Brendan' tells me that my bank has rejected both the BACS payments (something Santander strenuously deny) and they are going to send me a cheque. At this point I lose my cool, and ask that it be sent out that day, with guaranteed next day delivery. Brendan has put me on to the boss, but she's not sure that can be done, and promises to call me later to let me know one way or another.

Five o'clock I receive a call - the cheque had already been sent that morning (yeah right!) 'business post', whatever that is, from the Dublin office. It will take three to five working days to get here, then I'll have to travel three miles to the nearest Santander branch to pay it in and wait another 3-5 working days for it to clear before I can pay my very patient roofers. To add insult to injury, the Post Office cannot send me one cheque for the whole amount - because they say my bank rejected the money in two separate payments I have to have two separate cheques, sent several days apart.

The moral of this story: if you want to get at your money in a hurry, don't opt for an 'instant access' account with the Post Office. It is anything but. They really are re a bunch of amateurs, without a clue.