When I graduated I had 1 credit card at it limits with HSBC and 1 at its limit with Halifax.
This opinion is a comparison of the treatment I have received from both credit card companies for exactly the same circumstances. Initially after I graduated I went onto the dole for 3 months - fairly typical for students! I realised that on £40 a week I could not afford the monthly payments so I phoned to advise my credit cards of the situation. HSBC said how sorry they were to hear this and if I would hand in my card and agree to £5 a fortnight (if this was OK) then that would be fine. This I did and they sent me a letter to confirm this. Halifax on the other hand informed me quite curtly that if I did not make the minimum repayments then I would be credit blacklisted. The man on the other end of the phone actually laughed when he said "Can you not even afford £20 a month?" £20 isn't much but when you are only getting £40 a week yes £20 is a small fortune let me tell you!!!!
And to make Halifax even worse I had taken out a payment protection plan - you know the type... if you get made redundant OR GO ONTO JOBSEEKERS ALLOWANCE etc your minimum payments will be covered- when I quizzed them on this they said that that did not count if I went onto Jobseekers Allowance from graduating.??!!!! To this day I do not see the difference - I am still on the dole what is the difference?
HSBC have been brilliant throughout my slow struggles to rise up the job ladder! When I couldn't pay 2 months ago because I had a job interview and had to buy new clothes (and then subsequently got the job and had to buy an entire wardrobe as it was a much better job than the minimum wage job I was in before) the HSBC said not a problem so long as I could give them a definite date for a payment - which I did. The Halifax fined me £20 - even though I informed them also that I wouldnt be able to pay for a couple of months!
Just trying to get my Halifax Visa account closed as soon as possible because the service is terrible! The HSBC however- well I'm begging them to please let me be a customer!!
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It's bizarre just how similar your experience with these two banks' cards is to my experience with their bank accounts. Halifax spent their time trying to screw every last penny from me, and were never able/willing to deal with any problems. With HSBC, no problem has been to big, or to small, for their staff. And I'm allowed to take out cash from the counter, in the branch, even small amounts - nice if it's raining outside where the ATMs are! A small touch, but a welcome one. By the way, if you've not got too bad a record try getting a new card (Egg, perhaps?) and transferring the Halifax balance to it - stops the interest payments for 6 months or so, and breaks all ties with Halifax. Ciao. James
bandoo 22.03.2001 21:38
I joined Barclays 18 years ago (wow that makes me sound so old !) and they couldn't have been more helpful. When I walk into our local branch now they greet me by name. Since they have treated me so personally I have stayed with them and will probably continue to do so. You may find the same with HSBC. Once you find any product or service that you are happy with it is always best to stay with them if you can. A friendly, polite attitude costs them nothing and can gain them your business for many years to come. Good riddance to the Halifax !
wulise 21.03.2001 17:58
Sorry to hear of your experience. I would stick with HSBC for the time being if I were you. Thanks for the advise. I will avoid the Halifax. Louise
Advantages: Very useful for students who tried to get their first credit card Disadvantages: Does not report one's good performance to the credit bureaus
casper77 28.10.2001 (28.10.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of HSBC Combined Card
Advantages: 1 account - 2 cards (VISA&Mastercard), choice points, usefull help line Disadvantages: The same as any card, only spend what you can afford!
DeanBolton 30.09.2000 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of HSBC Combined Card
Mar 21st, 2001
very helpful by (86%):
helpful by (7%):
somewhat helpful by (7%):
