Barclays - Hurdles and Frustration

malcolmbebb

Hi,
I decided to open a Barclays Monthly Savings account, from its good rating on this site.
Since our account is joint, I have to do it at the branch. I can only get there Saturday, and it's busy, so I try to phone the branch to get an appointment. Found the number, but it doesn't work.
Got to dial an 0845 number... I'm at work, trying to do this quickly.
They want me to key in my card number. I object to being expected to dial in a 16 digit number (and I don't have eyesight or mobility problems) and I object more to having the number left on the phone for the next person who hits Redial to see.
So I wait. After a couple of warnings, I get some more options.
IF you want to do this..
IF you want to do that.. (I'm beginning to hate the word "if")
Eventually I get an operator. The operator is foreign and the line quality is poor. I am already frustrated before I get to this point.
I explain. The operator tells me I can't phone my branch, they are all centralized.
She can take my details and FAX (yes, FAX) the branch with my details. They will phone me back within two working hours.
So I'm expected to sit at my desk for up to two hours, waiting for an incoming call when the bank can be bothered to phone me? I've already wasted quarter of an hour getting this far and my blood pressure is well elevated.
Well, all right then.
They need to know the sort code (reasonable) and my account number (why? I'm not trying to access the account). Reluctantly I oblige. Presumably this will go on the fax for anyone passing the machine to read.
Now I have to go through security - date of birth, etc - in the office (it is working hours, after all)... just to make an appointment to see someone????
I don't want to give the operator a hard time, but I've had enough of being humiliated and my (worthless to Barclays but not to me) time wasted, for the crime of trying to give them some business. Enough is enough. S*d it, I put the phone down.
MB