Abbey Zero Card Fiasco...

Anon

In a word, they are useless. I applied last year, was told that I needed to complete a change of address form as their system recognised me as a customer (despite having left 6 months before and in branch my account number had already been assigned to someone else!) - did as asked then nothing at all from them, gave it up as a bad job.

One of my 0% stooze cards was coming up for transfer, I applied a month ago, received a letter within a few days saying that my balance transfer request could not be processed at the moment but to call back when I have received my card. As the ONLY communication about this, it is mighty strange (you do expect to be told whether you have been accepted or declined before getting this sort of letter). Phoned their CS, was told yes you have been accepted, cannot tell you the credit limit, paperwork is on its way (stock answer, complete lie). Still nothing.

Abbey Zero - maybe the zero refers to your chances of actually getting the card!

Anon

AndrewRH

I followed Marin's advice and applied for the AbbeyZero card on 6 Feb; they processed it and approved it on 10 Feb.

They sent me a letter confirming the acceptance and asked me to sign their documentation and include two pieces of (photocopied) ID. I did that and returned it to them (recorded delivery).

This is where things starting going pear shapped.

Yesterday I received a letter from them saying "Unfortunately, we have been unable to progress your application...you need to complete a new application".*

I rang them (not on 08457654321 but thanks to saynoto0870.com on 08007317774, then later on 08003899905). Their tracking team said it was "a mistake" and that the application was in the "abandoned" state as of 23 February. She said I had to talk to the "applications team". The "applications team" said I had to talk to the "service team". :mad:

I talked with Tim in the "service team" at last. Tim confirmed that sending out the abandon letter was wrong (esp since it was just 13 days after the acceptance). He said he would have the "admin team" look into it and get back to me (by post).

Oh dear....and my old credit card's 0% interest ends mid-March. I'm now worried that the balance won't be transferred in time. _pale_

~Andrew~

*By the way, most of the paper correspondence from them has been pretty poor for a professional organisation. Their letters have double logos (e.g. B&W printed below colour letterhead logo), overprinting, wrong websites ("www.abby.com") and the T&C that I had to sign looked like it was a 3rd generation photocopy. I let Tim know that too, and asked him to tell the "admin team".

Jaime-V

I have been an Abbey customer for over 15 years. never had any problems with my accounts (current/savings) Had the credit card for years but then when MBNA were not underwriting anymore and it was Abbeys 'own' thats when all my problems started.

Got me to apply for the new Abbey card, took ages, wrong card came, internet banking for the card, disaster! was passed around countless people for weeks. Bills were late arriving. I gave up after about 4 months, cleared the balance and cancelled the account. Took me 3 letters to cancel the account!!! Absolute numpties!!! :mad:

Never had so many problems with any credit card!

MBNA sent me out a new one under their own name (MBNA rewards) and never had any problems with it.

hondamad21

Ok so I phoned them on Friday and it was the same line as the day before...
"You have been accepted and a credit agreement has been sent to you."

As I had still not received any paperwork I called again yesterday and am now told...
"Your account was opened on the 17-Feb and the agreement was sent to you then"
2 weeks and I still have not had any paperwork!!!

But then she (customer advisor) said something that just made me want to go around to the office of crabbys CEO and ask how the hell did he ever manage to set up such an incompetent company.

She said, “Are you Mr. or Mrs.?”
Me “ umm…Mr., WHY??? ”
Her “ohh it looks like the account has been opened under Mrs. A****”
Me “ how is that possible considering there is no Mrs. A****??? and I have not once been told about this in the numerous conversations I have had with you!!!!”

So apparently they have opened the account under Mrs. Name and if I wanted to change the name now I would have to cancel the account and apply again. I have been told to wait till the card arrives and then ask to change it.

My amazement at how the non existent Mrs. A**** managed to pass the credit check?!?!? And how no one I spoke to before told me of this???
It would be funny of it was not so frustrating! :T:mad::T

Inactive

You really couldn't make it up....:rotfl:

~Chameleon~

Would it be a stupid question to ask if anyone has had an better luck by applying in branch for this card?

I applied online last summer and had the same fiasco as everyone else but options are running short for me right now and could do with trying again :huh:

hondamad21

Hi Chameleon,

My advice would be that if you have to apply, apply at he branch.
Abbey itself tell me that it is much faster that way.

hondamad

AndrewRH

AndrewRH wrote: »

I talked with Tim in the "service team" at last. Tim confirmed that sending out the abandon letter was wrong (esp since it was just 13 days after the acceptance). He said he would have the "admin team" look into it and get back to me (by post).

One week later and no paperwork so I call them. Long story short: 25 minutes on the phone and six transfers of departments and I was put right back at the start of their telephone answer system!

Along the way, one of the people said that they hadn't received my proof of identity papers, which I have confirmation of delivery for! I let the person know...guess what? Must transfer me to a different department. They also informed me that the AbbeyZero card has been withdrawn.

I kept my cool and told Vinna (seventh and final transfer) that I wanted a manager to call me back. She promised someone would in 10 minutes...I'm still waiting....

~Andrew~

Anon

Over 6 weeks on, still nothing from them (when I called I had supposedly been accepted and paperwork was on its way - that was over three weeks ago).

Anon

never-in-doubt

Some questions if existing shabbey customers/newbies can help please?

1. Do Abbey underwrite their own cards now or is it still MBNA?
2. Is their credit scoring easy to pass or are they strict?
3. What sort of limits are usual for them to offer?
4. If declined is the appeal process easy (daft question after above posts I guess!)

Thanks for any help......