HSBC 0% balance transfer - pathetic credit limit offered

rabbitweed

It's almost two months to the day that I first applied for the HSBC credit card online. And still I haven't received a single thing. I called today after three weeks ago being told it would be with me "within 10 working days". Through the language barrier, I was told today that, yet again, it would be with me soon.

Absolute tosh. I asked the woman if she thought this was a good first impression, and she kept telling me what a wonderful offer the card represented etc. I more or less told her what good is that to me when you can't get the card out in two months?

In the end I told her to scrap my application. If that's what they're like in trying to gain customer, goodness knows what they're like when you're finally on board. Rubbish!

schiff

My experience: applied online 5/1/06. Received confirmation that my credit card application 'had been approved' on 20/1. The same letter enclosed the 4-page Agreement, which I completed, signed and sent back FCP the same day.

On 28/1 I received my Agreement back with a covering note (it wasn't in letter form but had the HSBC insignia as its heading) - which said '....however we need to see further documentation to support your application.'

On 28/1 I sent my Agreement back, FCP again, plus the required documentation with a slightly sarky letter: 'It would have been more efficient to have asked for the ID documents at the time you sent the Agreement form in the first place!'

My documentation arrived back on Tuesday of this week with a compliment slip. Time being of the essence (I have an urgent BT to complete in the next two weeks, otherwise I don't need the card) I phoned up this afternoon to enquire about progress. 0800 number first, then an 0845 but eventually had to settle for an 08705 as the first two were the 'wrong department'.

Sounded very much like India but the man was calm and helpful. My card hasn't been issued, so I don't have a card number. But we finished up by him telling me that what I should do is to go to a local branch where they can issue my card to me (!?!) and deal with the Balance Transfer (!?!). I should take my ID along with me plus passport/driver's licence to prove who I am. I am proposing of course to take with me my little file containing all the correspondence and the copy I made of my online application.

I find this solution to be in the realms of fantasy and cannot, at the moment, believe it is possible or will happen. But I should give India the benefit of the doubt and will try my luck tomorrow morning. Not all branches open on a Saturday morning but maybe my nearest does. Luckily I don't have far to go to the next one.

I'll let you know the outcome!

*Louise*

I just applied for an HSBC card 2 days ago, and after reading this thread, I sort of wish I hadn't bothered!!!

hilary1

I'm glad I read this thread tonight ! Forget HSBC then

halwise

The ability of HSBC's UK based Customer Services to pass you off onto their
Indian call centre colleagues is breathtaking. I can only assume that the staff left back in the UK are those that even the stiffest of management brooms cannot sweep away. They really are the most unhelpful, unsympathetic and
arrogant CS staff I've had the misfortune to communicate with.

By contrast the staff on the sub continent are polite, cheerful and seemed eager to help.

Unfortunately I got the distinct impression that they hadn't got a clue what
it was I was asking for.

What a truly awe inspiring financial colossus is the Hong Kong & Shanghai
Banking Corporation.

I behove everybody to stooze this sorry shower as much as you possibly can.

rabbitweed

I can't believe this. I received the following letter from HSBC this morning...

Dear [name]

Thank you for your recent application for an HSBC Credit Card.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cuase, but I am unable to proceed until I have spoken with you.

Please call... [letter goes on]

WHAT? Can't they do anything properly? Even though I told them to stuff their card yesterday, I'm interested to find out what it is they want me to phone them about.

(oh and applied for a Mint card instead yesterday - hopefully that's painless in comparison)

Dumbledore55

Only one posiive story in all these negative ones. Trouble is, I need them more than they need me so I'll just keep my fingers crossed I get a card and a decent credit limit. I've applied on 1st Feb but don't need to do a BT until May so at least I have time on my side.

I applied for a £5K BT but to be honest I'd be grateful for any credit limit if its at 0% for 9 months.

ds3727

I got my card last week with no problems and completed balance transfer yesterday. The only problem is they only gave me a credit limit of £4750, i earn £35k a year, no debts (apart from the stoozing balance), no mortgage outstanding and I bank with first direct ( a subsidary of HSBC). So God knows what you've got to do to get a decent credit limit.

fairylights_2

We got an approval letter today! Applied online 29/1, so much quicker than I was expecting after reading on here. They want documents posting - thought it might be better to take them into branch, to be honest!

Quick question, though - in the documents, in nice bold letters, it says:

Total Charge for Credit: £162.25
comprised of (sic :rolleyes: ) the following: Total interest charge: £162.25

What's that about? I thought it was free? new to 0% bts, me!

EDIT - I found the answer in another HSBC thread. It's not going to charge us anything - UNLESS we don't pay it off, I think. Panic over. Now just to find bills and things in OH's name!!!!

ronaldmacdonald

rabbitweed wrote:

I can't believe this. I received the following letter from HSBC this morning...

Dear [name]

Thank you for your recent application for an HSBC Credit Card.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cuase, but I am unable to proceed until I have spoken with you.

Please call... [letter goes on]

WHAT? Can't they do anything properly? Even though I told them to stuff their card yesterday, I'm interested to find out what it is they want me to phone them about.

lol, if you got this letter be prepared for the following:

1. 20 minute call to Indian call centre on 0870 number
2. A 2 week wait
3. The same letter to arrive again :eek:
4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 ad infinitum