Little bit of history: I first opened an account with Barclays Bank when I was 11 years old after being recommended by a school friend and her Mother. I had the normal savings account - a bank card to use at the ATM and bank branch itself, with a daily £50 limit.
Between the ages of 11 and 15 I had no problems with the bank, until of course when I was 16; a week before my 16th Birthday my account was updated/upgraded. I now had a chip+pin card but my account was essentially the same as before. However, one difference was that I now had £100 daily limit instead of the former £50. This was agreed in my contract which I'd received in the post around my 16th b.day. This is when the problems started. Thinking I had £100 to spend each day, I went shopping with friends and had planned to buy some Nike trainers costing £85. These were my favourite 'model' of the Nike range, having bought/received as presents for around 4years. I was really excited about getting the new model that had gone on sale just one day before.
I went to the store, took my trainers to the till and (still excited) handed my card over to pay for them. The SA seemed to take forever to sort out my payment, before whispering to me - we cannot accept your card. When I asked her why, she replied "Either
you have reached your daily limit......or....erm....you don't have enough money" I could tell she felt awkward but not half as much as embarassed as I felt!! Knowing I had plenty money and (supposedly) £100 limit, I left the store without an argument and tried another store for the trainers. Again, I got the same reply.
I went into my local branch at the same shopping mall and argued with them (I was so annoyed by this time), demanding to know why I should be left feeling embarrassed and disappointed. They informed me that I only had £50 limit - I was livid, and explained about the contract notifying a £100 limit. This limit issue was eventually resolved after around 2 weeks (why it took so long, I do not know!). OK, so I could have just withdrawn money on 2 separate days for my trainers, but in my opinion, that is inconvenient.
Also, whilst having this card, the ATM swallowed it. It also swapped my replacement card just 3months later, can you believe? At the ATM, I pressed 'no' when it asked 'do you require more time?'. Upon pressing the button, my card was swallowed. The second time it happened, I made a formal complaint at my local branch. I was utterly gobsmacked when they said "the ATM swallowed your card because you are now reaching 18 years old and we need to update your account". I argued with them again, saying that I should have been notified via post/mail rather than having to lose my card. It took nearly 2 weeks to receive my new account and replacement card, and during this time, any time I wanted money, I would have to get 2 buses into town just to withdraw it.
With the account I have now (Current, First Additions), I got an agreed £100 overdraft. Well, actually I got £10 - the advisor in branch had mistyped and left a 0 off the end. So, thinking I had £100 overdraft, I went into one day. I received a letter the same week saying I'd been charged £30 for going over limit and buffer, and a further charge for missing my car insurance payment. The customer service actually called me a liar saying it was impossible to be given a £10 overdraft by mistake and that I must have requested it - seriously, what good is £10 overdraft to me, or anyone else these days?! I had my overdraft adjusted to correct amount and charged refunded and they apologised to my car insurer for the trouble.
Unaware to me, I only have £5 buffer - I was told in April 2007 that I had £10 buffer on top of my £100 overdraft by 3 or 4 advisors. I needed emergency money one day and reached £-105.41. Because I was 41p over my buffer, I was charged £30 and another £60 within a few days. I complained for approx. 3 days straight about being misinformed yet I got nowhere, again being accused and called a liar about the whole buffer amount. Because I had no money (for unexpected reasons), I could not pay off the charges, either. Despite Barclays having a £90 maximum charges policy within each monthly period, I was charged a further £150 - yes £150! So, my balance was now nearly £-300, all because I'd been misinformed. I was told i would be refunded my charges yet, I was charged £30 again because the advisor hadn't actually made the refund. Eventually a manager refunded the whole amount and agreed to pay for my phone bill for me after much dispute.
Then, last week my mobile phoneinsurance with F/Additions was rejected because Barclays had sent me the wrong booklet - I had read phone insurance terms and conditions, just not the ones applicable to my account! So basically, I've been paying £6.50 each month for nothing!
I threatened to cancel my account on Friday and this morning, I received a huge bouquet of flowers from Barclays with an apology card. Honestly, I refuse to thank them for the gesture - yes, it's a kind thought but they have a nerve sending me them after all of the trouble I've been through. I have maintained my account for 8 years solid and have been repaid with accusations, embarassments, arguments and crap (sorry to be blunt) customer service.
I am leaving this bank in August once I have received my last student payment for this term. I no longer have the patience for this bank, and I am actually a very patient, calm and unargumentative person.
Online service is very slow, I was kicked off for 1 week because they provided wrong password/member number match. Poorly trained staff, many cannot speak good English. Hold goes on forever when calling by phone.
Please, whatever you do, do not go with this bank if you want an easy, hassle free life. Anything above a standard savings account will undoubtedly cause you grief. If you do wish to join, please read as much info, reviews, bank leaflets as possible.
I apologise for the lengthy, long-winded review but I feel it is very beneficial to others who may be in the same situation or could perhaps be in the future. Thanks for taking the time to read, and apologies for pooor grammar - I have finger ache from typing so much (!)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
This is possibly TOO personalised ~ however helpful in making a decision about banking with this or another bank. Personally, l prefer my current bank, LloydsTSB (although l was not keen on TSB before the takeover)
. . . ~ ! ♥♥ ! ~ ........................................................... ~ jes ~ ! ♥♥ !
shazzaspannered 17.07.2007 15:06
I used to be with Barclays and after mistake after mistake after mistake I finally closed my account and am with Nationwide who are much better. I would also recommend everyone to avoid Barclays! x
Pisces72 17.07.2007 11:22
What a frustrating experience! While the flowers were a nice touch, why didn't they offer you the money instead? Good luck with your new bank!
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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Jul 16th, 2007
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