They were very quick to accept me and set up my account, but with the problems I now have, I'm not sure this is a good thing. I have spoken to them on the phone a couple of times, and I have to say, the staff have been very friendly and helpful. I have also used their online e mail message service, which has also proved quite efficient. The staff do at least seem to have a basic ability to communicate, and they understand the products they are talking about.
The one problem is that they are trying to do everything 'paper free', which is fine to a degree. If you use your card for business purposes, then you can't print a proper statement. You can print the screen showing your transactions, but whether the Inland revenue will accept this I don't know.
it's also a little confusing when you try to send a balance transfer. I had to phone and ask for help on this one. It's basically back to front.
At the moment the main problem I have with Egg is similar to the one I have with MBNA, but these guys are nowhere near as bullying and insulting as they are. Egg do chase money, but they don't go over the top with it. One of the annoying things (for me) is that they send you text messages telling you there is a message in your account. I don't like this. Just send an e mail.
Like MBNA I approached them with the help of a Debt Management Company with a view to temporary reduced payments while I sort myself out. I specifically read their Help page about what they can do when you get in to trouble, and this is what it says.
''These are some of the options we might be able to provide, including: Arranging a loan with fixed, affordable payments. Short term reduced payments. Amending your payment dates. Arranging an affordable payment plan. Temporarily increasing the credit limit on your card. Payment reschedules and other solutions tailored to your needs. There's no need to feel uncomfortable talking to us about your situation, and the more honest you are with us the easier it'll be for us to help you. Our team of specialists are here to listen.''
Well - guess what - they don't help. I did hope for a better response from Egg, particularly after i read this, so I was a little disappointed that they simply refused. I have been told by one of their staff, that they will not accept a reduced payment offer unless it is for £5.00 or more. My offer was for £16.00, and it got turned down point blank,because it was supposedly. less than the minimum required.
I do appreciate that I have got myself in to a mess (and while I partially blame the credit card companies for allowing me to borrow too much, I do blame my own stupidity more), but if a company says it will listen, and then it doesn't, then it's not much help. Reading the list of things they can offer, I don't think increasing the limit on your card or arranging a loan are exactly responsible things to offer someone in debt.
Although disappointed in their decision, I have to say they do have a brain. They are sending standard letters to me (and were very quick with their default notice), but at least they are not hounding me daily. They at least seem to appreciate that there's not much point trying to get blood out of a stone.
All in all I'm not sure about Egg. The staff are friendly and helpful - which is quite unusual these days. They are quick at sending replacement cards and pin numbers, and their Help staff actually Help. The downside is that some of the online features need to be a little easier to understand, and it would be nice if at least one Credit Card company actually offered the help the customers need if they are in trouble. Better to help someone short term and get your money, than not help them so they go bankrupt and you get nothing.
I wouldn't recommend Egg for one reason and one reason only. Credit is a mug's game. But if you do want it, then these guys aren't too bad. Just make sure you don't get into trouble.
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Hope things start to get better for yourself....xxxx
jez_taylor 08.04.2007 13:11
I joined Egg when they were quite new and competitive which they no longer are. I have always found their customer service appalling.
WhatDidISayRoy 08.04.2007 10:03
As with any credit card, you really have to be a financially sensible person otherwise you can get yourself in to huge amounts of trouble - if you haven’t any control over your will power or are unable to pay it off in full each month, then don't get a credit card. That’s probably the best advice - thanks for the review...
Advantages: 1% cashback, contacted me to discuss the application, online statements (good for privacy) Disadvantages: customer service non-existant, online email service does not work most of the time
Advantages: Cashback, simple to use, interest on credit balances Disadvantages: Slow money transfer from external accouts, can work out expensive for some
Advantages: 1% cashback, contacted me to discuss the application, online statements (good for privacy) Disadvantages: customer service non-existant, online email service does not work most of the time
Apr 7th, 2007
very helpful by (58%):
helpful by (42%):
