Just back from Prague and with new reviews to write :)
Just back from Prague and with new reviews to write :)
Member since:09.03.2007
Reviews:36
Members who trust:18
I remember the day I first received my Barclaycard. I was 18 years old, in my first job and I was excited about the very thought that this card could be used to buy things when I didn't even have any money in the bank. This novelty soon wore off when I realised, just how much I was getting charged for this privilege and since then I have been a moderate user of credit cards.
I recently moved house and had my car serviced and put all these expenses onto the credit card. I am now making a concerted effort to get my credit card paid off in the next few months, by switching balances between my Barclaycard and my other credit-card to take advantage of the 0% transfer deals. I have been intending to cut one of the cards up once the balance is paid, but have been debating as to which one. My mind was made up 100% this last week though, so its goodbye Barclaycard. More on that later however.
Application process ==============
When I first applied for the card I had to fill in a long form and send it off, making the process very
slow. You can now apply online and get a quick decisions.
The Barclaycard website is very well defined and allows you to compare the features of several cards before making a decision. The selected cards all have benefits depending on what type of user you think you will be.
The Card ======= The card itself is quite nice looking in various shades of grey and blue. That's about it really; there is not a lot you can say about the actual card. It also offers a £100 cheque guarantee as well.
As you would expect from Barclaycard, it is accepted pretty much universally including abroad. Barclaycard were one of the first that I was aware of to convert to chip and pin technology and a new card was sent very quickly. I am still not convinced as to the security of chip-and-pin, but that's a story for another day.
I never actually asked for the Platinum card, they just seem to upgrade your account every few years or so provided you match whatever criteria they are looking for.
Customer Service and security ====================== On the occasions I have had to ring customer service I have found them very helpful. I have also found that they are very hot on security, which is always reassuring.
A few years ago my card was stolen by someone who I considered at the time, a friend. I was not negligible for this in anyway as it was taken without my knowledge and used for various purchases. Barclaycard refunded the money to my account immediately, sent a fraud investigation form and as I knew who had done it instigated a police investigation/
On at least two other occasions I have had phone calls from customer service enquiring as to the validity of certain transactions (in these cases the transactions were genuine), so I cannot fault them here.
Online services =========== The website for Barclaycard is very useful. You can check your balance, make payments and check recent transactions.
Grumbles ======= The main complaints I have about Barclaycard is the amount of unsolicited rubbish they send you through the post, from the balance transfer cheques (which occasionally prove useful, but at other times are a real annoyance because I have to shred them) to the special offers - 'Spend X on product Y and we'll give you something free'. Its all well and good and I realise Barclaycard have to make a living, but I think in this day and age with debts the way they are it is slightly irresponsible to try and convince people to spend more. I am also offered "Barclayloans" on a regular basis. I find it very easy to see how people get themselves into massive amounts of debt.
The APR could also be more competitive. Mine is set at 15.9%, which although not bad could surely be reduced?
Goodbye Barclaycard ================
In general I have been satisfied with the services that Barclaycard have provided and have had no real complaints but that all changed last week with the announcement that Barclaycard are moving their call-centres to India.
Before I start on this I don't want anyone to think I am racist because I am not. I am doing this because I am sick to the back teeth of companies moving call-centres abroad, whilst promising the same levels of customer service all the while knowing this to be a lie. At the end of the day, it is to increase profits and therefore make a bigger payout for the shareholders and all the talk in the world of "Streamlining the customer experience" can't hide the fact that the companies couldn't care less about how satisfied you are with their service. As long as you pay your bills on time that's all they care about.
I realise that companies need to make a profit and that they are under pressure to increase the profit year-on-year, but I am sick of paying for a service only to see it eroded so that the rich can get richer.
I have therefore decided to leave Barclaycard as soon as the balance has been paid off. I know people will say that I haven't even given them a chance and indeed there will be people who completely disagree with my perception about off-shoring, but I have NEVER experienced good service from an offshore call-centre and nor do I know anyone who has. I am certain there are people there who are delighted with the service they receive, but I am not one of them.
Me cancelling my card won't make a blind bit of difference to Barclaycard because a) I won't have any balance outstanding and b) even if I did it would be a drop in the ocean anyway, but from small acorns and all that.
I don't want this to degenerate into an argument about the pros and cons of off-shoring. I am basing my opinion entirely on my perception of customer service and what the customer should expect nothing more.
Thanks for listening and sorry for the rant :)
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Mar 13th, 2007
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