Paging any Barclays experts...

moneysavingallday

I had decided to switch my backup current account from Lloyds to Barclays. I rang Barclays up and some very disinterested youth told me that he 'should' be able to open a "basic" account for me over the phone but that they're the only types of accounts that can be opened over the phone. When I said I wanted to switch from Lloyds to Barclays he sounded even more disinterested. I asked him if I can apply for something more than a "basic" account if I apply over the internet and he said this is not possible. So, is it true that with Barclays the only account you can apply for over the phone or online is the Cash Account? Proper current accounts can only be opened in branch?

This has nothing to do with my personal situation as we didn't even get the application started. This disinterested creature has put me off moving to Barclays for the time being I think.

sutton111

No totally incorrect you can't open a cash account over the phone or internet you have to fill out an application form and post it off, sometimes they can open it in branch, you can open any current account over the phone, on-line as well, just go to www.barclays.co.uk and go to current accounts, do an on-line application.

moneysavingallday

sutton111 wrote: »

No totally incorrect you can't open a cash account over the phone or internet you have to fill out an application form and post it off, sometimes they can open it in branch, you can open any current account over the phone, on-line as well, just go to www.barclays.co.uk and go to current accounts, do an on-line application.

So the man I spoke to on the phone is a total imbecile!!!

I've now done an application online. It asked me some verifying info from my Equifax file but it has not given me a decision yet. I wonder how long it takes? with other banks it's an instant yes (or not)

moneysavingallday

On second thoughts, I am actually shocked that Barclays would employ such a useless sod as the one I got on the phone. If his job is to open new accounts and yet he doesn't even have the faintest idea what accounts are available to be opened, that is pretty bloomin bad.

sutton111

Yes a complete idiot.
Yes they ask you questions relating to whats your credit fiile to comfirm ID. It takes 5 days or so.
If you do an application over the telephone they tend to give you a answer straight away. Halifax did for my parents, have you tried them?

moneysavingallday

sutton111 wrote: »

Yes a complete idiot.
Yes they ask you questions relating to whats your credit fiile to comfirm ID. It takes 5 days or so.
If you do an application over the telephone they tend to give you a answer straight away. Halifax did for my parents, have you tried them?

havent tried Halifax but I guess I can't now as already applied to Barclays? (would incur too many credit searches?)

ShelfStacker_3

Having applied for a Barclays Bank Account over the Internet many moons ago, I can firmly say that the call centre employee is talking sh*te.

However, the only possible explanation I can think of is that you'd rung a dedicated line for cash account openings by mistake. It's a possibility...

moneysavingallday

ShelfStacker wrote: »

Having applied for a Barclays Bank Account over the Internet many moons ago, I can firmly say that the call centre employee is talking sh*te.

However, the only possible explanation I can think of is that you'd rung a dedicated line for cash account openings by mistake. It's a possibility...

I rang their main application line.

I hope the rest of the process is smooth sailing...

Extant

Should be. If you applied online and supplied passport/driving license details, there is a short lead time while these ID&V details are verified.

If you're curious, you can go into a branch at this point and finish it all off/see where things are at. Everything will be visible to branch staff at this point.

moneysavingallday

BarclaysManager wrote: »

Should be. If you applied online and supplied passport/driving license details, there is a short lead time while these ID&V details are verified.

If you're curious, you can go into a branch at this point and finish it all off/see where things are at. Everything will be visible to branch staff at this point.

hi Barc Man, can you explain how that would work? When I applied online they asked me some questions about items on my Equifax report. It said they'd use this info to ID me and there'd be no need for additional ID. So, I can just go into my local branch and move things forward?

Also, what do you mean by "ID&V details"?

Thanks

oldagetraveller

A bank with CS reps who are uneducated about their products and procedures plus a "manager" who can't spell would put me off them straight away!