Did you apply for a Barclays Monthly Saver in December?

munkachunka

Hi all

Got the 7.75% today in Poole, on the Barclay's system there is a message to all they're employees telling them what the situation is.

Effectively.

If you opened an account in November and credit the account before 1st Jan you will receive 7.75%
If you open the account in December and credit the account before 1st Jan 09 you will also receive 7.75%. ENSURE YOU CREDIT THE ACCOUNT OR YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE 6%

My customer service rep knew about the issues and was very helpful, the rate is there to be had.

Good luck for the next 90 Mins, do it while you can

Gambit

Am SO confused. I opened a monthly saver in October and have since made three payments into the account. I didnt check the rate but thought I would call today in light of all these issues and see if I am on the 7.75% rate. First was put through to a Call Centre where I was told I was on 6% but if I made a payment today then I would be eligible for the 7.75% rate. When I queried this saying that I shouldnt have to make a payment since I already had a DD go through this month, he changed his mind and said I was on 7.75%.

Not believing what he said I was put through to the Customer Relations team when asked if I could speak to his manager. I was told that I was on 6% and as far as they were aware there was no 7.75% rate but couldnt check as the Savings team had all gone home for the day. She even mentioned MSE saying that the info they had given was wrong!

I will be calling the Savings team on Friday as cant do anything now and just hope they will ammend my rate to 6%!!

Gambit

munkachunka wrote: »

If you opened an account in November and credit the account before 1st Jan you will receive 7.75%
If you open the account in December and credit the account before 1st Jan 09 you will also receive 7.75%. ENSURE YOU CREDIT THE ACCOUNT OR YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE 6%

Doh...does that mean I will only get 6% as I opened it in October??

AndyDarlo_2

Just popped to the Mold Branch in North Wales and opened 2 accounts in 10 Minutes. The lady was very helpful and on the ball with the higher rate. We then retired to weatherspoons for a New Year Beer!!:beer:
They don't close until 5pm!

Happy New Year MSE, our savings are sorted for 2009.

hmsvctory

It is a great pity that Barclays have not been able to clarify the HO position by ensuring their website reflects the position given to Martin Lewis. It is still saying 6%. Does the 7.75% only apply to those accounts opened up by personal callers to branches? What about peple like me that opened these up via internet banking accounts? Banks still haven't learnt about being straight with customers if this episode is anything to go by - a shambles to top off a shambles of financial year for the banks.

RedBern

i;ve just called again, got a lovely guy who has opened it straight away, he had a memo on his computer, so anyone stuggling call:
08457555555 stick to your guns and it should be fine!:)

thanks - just set mine up with £20 to start with to ensure I get this rate.:T Tried online but no guarantee it would go out today and the 'phone number quoted online says 'the office is closed' - very clever:rolleyes:

Elizapat

I tried today spoke to assistant manager who said financial adviser had rung in "sick" and he could not open one, but I could make an appointment with one of the cashiers for another day. This is not the first time I have tried to open accounts with Barclays and have had problems. Who actually needs a financial adviser to open an account in any event? Is this just a way of deterring investors. I thought the banks needed the money, apparently not.

Caterwomtious

Terrible customer service from Barclays - I won't be going back there again.

At most banks or building societies if you want to open an account you just fill in a form and hand it over. Not with Barclays. I went to the counter at Barclays and asked to open this account, but I was told counter staff can't do that. No, I can't just fill in form, I'll have to make an appointment and come back later. If this needless bureaucracy is invonvenient, well that's just tough.

So I made an appointment for 3pm and left. I turned up at 3pm and said I was there for my appointment. "What appointment?" they said. "It's not on the system." Don't they talk to each other at Barclays? They saw me anyway, started taking my personal details, photocopied my driving licence and then came back and said I couldn't open the account at 7.75% because it couldn't be funded today. A cheque won't do, it has to be done by standing order. "Cash? Certainly not, what do you think this is, a bank?"

So two wasted trips into town and nothing to show for it except an irresistable urge to cross the street whenever I pass a branch of Barclays.

norbie

Just went and opened an account. Bank manager was v. helpful and explained that if you miss a payment, or make a withdrawal, not only will the rate drop for the next month but it's very likely there will be small print saying that you will not get the 7.75% for the whole 12 month period.

So be careful and make sure you setup an automatic direct debit with your bank so you don't forget a payment!

PS. I was told they switch to a "late till" at 3.30pm which means that any cheques or deposits past that time wouldn't go through today - my friendly bank manager got them to hold it off until my cheque went through though so that I could get the rate

samantha5180

Hi I went in today and got told this was an old offer,even though I printed off the info from Martin Lewis' website. Basically got told it's 6% AER and after tax it was 4.49%. I get a better rate in my ISA. Also the advisor at the Worcester branch did not really believe what I printed off and then asked the branch manager his advise who said they have had nothing from Head office to confirm the statement on the website. Bit annoyed really as if they have had the info and not passing it on them I've missed out.

Happy New Year and heres to more great tips from Martin in 2009
(yes I am a big fan, check the website on lunch break at work and then give all the deals to friends)

Samantha5180