I left school at 16 straight into a nice little job on my local high street. When I needed a bank to put my £100- a week in (It was a lot in those days) who did I choose? Well this was the local high street and in 1991 there wasn't that much choice. As Barclays was the closest to where I worked I chose them.
For the first two years I paid my wage in, in cash each week and took most out each weekend from a cash machine. No Credit or DebitCards no Direct Debits just like a typical working person of that age. No problems on my side and no problem on theirs.
Then I turned 18 and things grew a bit more complicated in the banking world. First of all I could now have a cheque book and debit card. I never asked for either they just arrived one day so I used them and thought
no more about it. Then the constant junk mail from Barclaycard started to arrive. I fancied having one, I could afford it so I applied, got one and headed straight for the Club 18-30 brochures in my local Thomas Cook. I didn't shop around because Barclays are my own bank and my own bank wouldn't rip me off would they? - I was indeed a naive child. I never questioned if it was ethical to start pestering an eighteen year old to get into debt as soon as they legally possibly could.
So things are going swimmingly well in life. I'm now 21 have a decent monthly wage coming in, a car (dodgy old Fiesta) which means a couple of direct debits coming out each month. I am still at home with the folks so no serious financial worries.
Round about this time things start to change. Barclays brought in a currant account they call Additions. Here is the deal, they charged me £5 a month (this is now £7.50) and I get a Will writing service, Life insurance cover and discounts on a range of other products and services. Now, I could have changed banks at this stage but I was starting to use my account like a grown up and didn't really want to change, too much hassle, and anyway they sent me a nice folder to keep all my statements in. So, that was all right then. I paid up and carried on paying in.
Age 22 I bought a house and money got a bit tighter. I could still afford a car and the odd holiday and the nice people at Barclays gave me £100- overdraft but on a couple of occasions my cash flow skills let me down and I went into the red much to my embarrassment and what did my caring bank do? Well, they sent me a threatening letter charging me £20 for the privilege. Not what I would expect now, but then I thought this was how it all worked and that I should have been more careful anyway. The years go by and Barclaycard continue to rip me off with abhorrent interest charges so I change card and it starts to dawn on me that maybe I should change my current account too. My savings are safely stashed away under the safe and watchful eye of Howard at the Halifax as Barclays could not compete on a savings account.
I muddle on, knowing that I am not getting much for my money at Barclays but their E-banking is good, a clear to understand, easy to set up site. It feels secure and is fast and responsive. But I know there are other banks out there who would value my custom and not charge me and might even (shock-horror!) give me some interest on my current account and they also offer E-banking so what have I got to loose. So they, they decision is made. I will move!
So then what, well... erm... nothing for a while until last week when the straw finally broke the camels back with my Debit Card being declined twice for no apparent reason. The first time was just a few days after payday so funds were not the issue. I try to call and once through the appalling telephone banking system (Please enter your card number after the bleep...I'm sorry, we did not recognise that number please try again...)I explained my problem the charming young lady I finally got through to and yes, you guessed it, she cut me off. I wasn't abusive or even fraught I got the impression she just didn't know what to say to me, of course she apologised but I 'm sure that was on the script in front of her and how to address my actual problem was not. This has happened again in the last few days and again the funds are in the account but I won't be wasting another 45 mins trying to talk to someone about it. I'll spend that 45 mins on the net looking for a good deal on a new current account.
For any one interested in exactly what I get for my money The Additions account now costs me £7.50 a month and Barclays claim I get extra benefits worth up to £544.00. Services on offer are;
Breakdown cover Roadside assistance from Green Flag - you're automatically covered Legal
A 24-hour legal helpline covering everything from matrimonial issues to neighbour disputes. Barclays will writing service.
Family Children's health cover from Norwich Union at just £4 per month per child Pet insurance from MORE TH>N at a special introductory rate.
Protection Purchase protection Extended warranty cover £10,000 accidental death cover from Royal & SunAlliance Cardholder protection.
Your money £250 interest and fee-free overdraft* Preferential rate of 9.9 per cent EAR on agreed overdrafts over £250 Connect card with £100 cheque guarantee limit Time-saving Telephone and Online Banking.
You can keep it Barclays, I’m off – Anyone got Howard’s number?
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There's more to come - the additions fee is increasing to £9.50 per month soon. I work for them and have to try and sell this crap. Good op though.
karen5416 04.06.2004 00:05
i use to be in barclays, only got one word for them CRAP : ] x
carefree 17.05.2004 23:39
Barclays have always done alright by me so I have no complaints, but judging by your op and the comments below I've been fairly lucky- yey me! Good op.
Advantages: Efficient, Good Variety of products, Best offered Cash ISA 2 years running Disadvantages: Try and sell you products that are not always beneficial to you.
BTreyo 18.04.2008 (18.04.2008)
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