M&S credit card - how long does it take?

JayZed

I applied online last week for an M&S credit card (actually an HSBC card with the M&S brand, 10 months interest-free purchases). I received an e-mail the next day stating that "we endeavour to offer our Internet customers a speedy response, therefore you will be contacted with a decision by post shortly". It's been a week now... anyone have any idea how long it's likely to take until I receive (a) the decision and (b) the card?

It does say on the website that "In normal circumstances, cards will be delivered within seven to ten days, if your application is accepted", but it's not really clear whether that's 7-10 days from the date of application or from the date that you're notified that the application is accepted.

(I have an excellent credit record and no significant outstanding CC debt, so I don't anticipate any problems with the application)

nzseries1

I applied for the M&S card online on 15 September, and received the same online message you did. The card arrived through the door on 10 October, therefore 3 and a half weeks to arrive. They first contacted me on the phone about 2 weeks after I applied to ask me questions.

JayZed

Good grief. That's really rather crap, isn't it?

moneysavingallday

What questions did they ask you NZ? Why you wanted their crummy card and so on?

JayZed

All I want is a 10-month interest-free card to spread the cost of a big purchase. Don't care how crummy the card is after 10 months.

moneysavingallday

I don't really think it's crummy anyway. Just curious as to what questions they asked and why they'd take so long

sutton111

I read alot about them phoning people up and quizzing them.

nzseries1

I thought the length of time was a bit crap too. But, I applied for the Ulster Bank Credit card at the same time, and that took just as long to turn up!

They wanted to confirm that I worked where I said I did, and they questioned my large number of previous addresses, but I managed to convince them I was on the electoral roll at each address so it was okay.

moneysavingallday

nzseries1 wrote: »

I thought the length of time was a bit crap too. But, I applied for the Ulster Bank Credit card at the same time, and that took just as long to turn up!

They wanted to confirm that I worked where I said I did, and they questioned my large number of previous addresses, but I managed to convince them I was on the electoral roll at each address so it was okay.

How did they confirm that you worked where you said you did?

nzseries1

moneysavingallday wrote: »

How did they confirm that you worked where you said you did?

I don't really know... perhaps the phone number of my work is publicly available, or maybe just because I answered the phone that I put down for my work number... who knows!

I was curious too, but I didn't stop to question her as to be honest I thought my chances of getting the card in the first place were quite low and I didn't want to jinx the application.

copperfield

I need at least £10k to pay my tax bill - do you know if I can get a M & S card with 0% to pay my tax bill if I am self-employed or do they count it as a cash withdrawal. Just trying to think ahead so I am ready to pay (somehow) in January.