Vanquis Bank and Credit Card

Advantages: Gives credit to those who wouldn't otherwise get it.
Disadvantages: Very high interest, terrible customer service.

...A couple of months ago we made the mistake of getting a credit card "for emergencies", it was meant to be...but as always happens, it was used when it wasn't necessary (mainly by my husband!!!!). Vanquis Bank are a company who offers credit to people with a bad credit history (i.e. CCJs, missed payments etc and just no credit history). Anybody who has ever tried to get credit for the first time will know its sometimes very difficult, if you have never had any kind of credit given to you, companies won't take you on, as they don't know if your a risk or not...and so Vanquis offer a "credit score boosting card"...basically they give a credit card with £300 limit on it to people who have never before had a credit card and probably don't know how to use them correctly. (Before you start...I'm not calling everyone with no credit history...

stephbond89 14.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Vanquis Credit Card

RBS Credit Card

Advantages: interest free for 6 months
Disadvantages: poor relation of the rbs slow transfers poor customer service

...the RBS is an ok bank but the RBS Credit Card (Mastercard) is the poor relation and does not deserve the RBS brand I made some transfers into the RBS credit card at the same time and earlier than my RBS account and a Visa credit card and guess what ... the RBS take days longer for payments to be received to the account. When you call them you have to call the 0870 premium rate number (as opposed to my other banks being 0845 and 0800 nos) Most of the menu's are frustrating though the RBS cred card is slightly more infuriating than the average. The frustration really hits home when you have to try and have a conversation as the staff struggle with the question 'has any money been paid IN' or 'credited' or 'received' and they are keen to give a lecture about how a payment in was actually a 'refund' (which actually wasn't the case) This...

spott 19.11.2006 · Read review
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Review of Royal Bank Of Scotland Credit Card

Vanquis Credit Card

Advantages: Convenient, Accessible to those with poor credit rating
Disadvantages: High interest rate and heavy debt collecting if you default

...I have been unfortunate in my life to accumulate a number of credit card and loan debts. I have been struggling to pay these for the last four years, although I have now reached a point where things are getting much easier to handle, and the total value of my debt has decreased significantly. When I realised there was a problem, all my credit cards were cut up and returned to the respective creditors. However, this of course left me without a credit card. Initially, this didnt seem to be a problem, as quite frankly I had had enough of them! However, when my bank decided to withdraw my debit card as well, things took a turn for the worse. In this day and age it is increasingly difficult to be without either a debit or credit card. Because of this, I have tried continuously over the last couple of years to apply for both credit...

TheHairyGodmother 15.04.2006 (17.03.2007) · Read review
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Review of Vanquis Credit Card

Bank of Scotland for Students

Advantages: Biggest overdraft, branches are plentiful, great service
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!

...I'm a student and chose the Bank of Scotland mainly because they offered the largest interest free overdraft - In my first year I didn't need this, but I'm thankful that I took it as its proved very handy this year (2nd year) I originally wanted to go with Lloyds - but they said I couldn't bank with them because no member of my family banked with them (great business model) - I hope they go bust now. But them I'm glad they did, because I got to go with Bank of Scotland! Online banking is a breeze - I have two credit cards with the Bank of Scotland, and everything it managed from the one portal. It's secure, easy to use and doesn't require you to write down your password and pick the 7th, 11th and 12th letters from it just to log in. Telephone banking is also relatively easy - with a trusting scottish accent on the automated...

Diablo666 08.03.2008 (12.08.2008) · Read review
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Review of Bank of Scotland Accounts

A Great 'DEAL' On A Credit Card

Advantages: Clubcard points
Disadvantages: Interest rate which kicks in if you don't pay the full balance monthly

..., though not to use the card online. In fact, I have found I don't even need to have my card in sight to use it online since I now know the number and security details off my heart, but that is beside the point. The card comes with a credit card based on your status, though this can often be increased after a few months. The minimum credit limit is £250 but most people I imagine would get a few thousand to start with. There is a minimum income level for this card, which I think it about £5000 pa. Opening the card is easy - because Tesco doesn't have physical bank branches you can do it online or over the phone. In both cases you still need to sign a form and return it to them, but they post this out to you with a prepaid envelope so it is very easy. After that you're good to go. Now comes the important stuff: ** The Loyalty Bonus...

zoe_page 06.01.2007 · Read review
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Review of Tesco Credit Card

Some advice on the usage of credit cards.

Advantages: Can be worth while...
Disadvantages: ...but usually isn't

...I've just recently started working as part of a collections team for a bank, making collections on missing credit card payments and other payments to do with credit cards (over-limit charges, late fees, arrears). Previous to start the job I didn't know all that much about credit cards, I knew my mother had one, or two store based ones with some reward schemes that she paid off the whole balance at the end of every month, only spending 30 or so on. To me that seemed really simple, she had a limit, she knew what she spent she paid it off at the end of every month in case she wanted to use it again and as far as I was concerned this was how credit cards worked. Turns out not everyone uses them like this, to protect my job I won't mention the bank I currently work for, though they are a big British bank. It would seem the bank in question...

iamasadlittleboy 29.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Member Advice on Credit Cards & Loans

Tesco Credit Card - Every Little Helps

Advantages: Earn extra Tesco clubcard points.
Disadvantages: Only earns Tesco clubcard points

...About 18 months ago I was looking to change my credit card to one which offers cash back as a way of getting a little bit extra. After looking at several different cards I decided on the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card. Where I live the only supermarket in town is Tesco and the closest petrol station is at the Tesco supermarket. This means that I do all of my grocery shopping and get my fuel from Tesco's. The Tesco Clubcard Credit Card does not offer cashback but awards Tesco Clubcard Points; you get 5 points for every £4 spent with Tesco, in addition to your points for your purchase and 1 point for every £4 none Tesco Purchase. The credit card is a mastercard and comes in 2 design choices, a predominantly silver card or a blue card, I choose the silver card so not to get this mixed up with my clubcard. I decided to get this card to...

dotjay19 07.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Tesco Credit Card

Handy Card! (Abbey Zero Credit Card)

Advantages: Zero fees
Disadvantages: High interest, only 3 months free on purchases

...I have had the Abbey Zero credit card for about 2 months now, and have found it to be an absolute necessity. With the massive selling point of having zero charges on transactions abroad, I have been able to save a relatively large amount, useful especially with pound at such lows. How to Apply I found out about the card on a visit to my local branch, and the application process took about a half an hour. Most of this time was taken up by the banking advisor trying to sell me their payment care and insurances, but I found them to be very expensive, so would avoid the questions if you do ever go down! From what I understand you can apply over the internet or on the phone, which may be a bit speedier. I received the pin number within a week, and the card a few days later, which I found to be very efficient. Benefits As I...

bobinder 04.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Abbey Zero Credit Card

citsalP Cash

Advantages: Convenient
Disadvantages: Use with great care

...After 64 years I have well and truly joined the 21st century. First it was a PC to take the place of my old Amiga and now for the first time in my life I am the owner of a credit card. If I carry on like this I can see me getting a mobile phone next or maybe even a video, but I would have to find a five year old to set it up. Up to press I have very rarely bought anything on credit as I worked on the principle that if I couldn’t pay for something in cash or by cheque then I couldn’t have it. But in this day and age when you cannot use cash or even cheques for Internet purchases I was left with one of two options. Do without or get with it. So on one of my rare visits to the Royal Bank Of Scotland I asked about getting a credit card for myself. The smiling young lady behind the bulletproof glass gave me a form to fill in...

jimbuck 08.08.2001 (27.10.2001) · Read review
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Review of Royal Bank Of Scotland Credit Card

Vanquis Credit Card - Only if you must!!

Advantages: easy application, good customer service
Disadvantages: no internet banking, high interest rates and long awaited decision

...I applied for this card online when i realised that my credit score wasnt looking too good and was advised to open a credit card account and make all payments on time. This was to increase my credit score when lenders see a good clean payment history. I applied on the vanquis credit card application on their website. The application is simple enough and took about 10 minutes. Once i had submitted i was told online that all checks were done and i would be advised via email the decision. I waited a few days and still i had not received anything from them. I then received an email from vanquis with a credit agreement, It also advised that receiving a credit agreement did not mean i had been accepted for the card. After 2 weeks and giving up on it i received my card in the post and my pin arrived shortly after. I was given a credit...

ashansell 19.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Vanquis Credit Card