Barclays Golden ISA feedback

hebron

mdr86 wrote: »

I've opened an account in a branch (I wasn't a previous customer), it was opened straight away, but I was told that I couldn't transfer money in and out online, only in a branch, all I can do online is to check balence! This seems quite ridiculous...

If you are a new customer I think it means that you are not set up for on-line banking. If you are able to setup on line banking you would than be able to service your account online. Give them a ring and ask them. good luck.

andy1465_2

Went to a branch of Barclays today to open a Golden ISA as I am not a Current Account holder with online access.
Living in Scotland there are very few branches so went to my nearest which is around a 20 minute drive away.
I was told that I would have to make an appointment and that the first available would be 10 days away unless there was a cancelation.
Said thanks but no thanks.
Came home thinking that was a waste of time.

Logged on to this forum for a read and saw that someone opened an ISA over the phone by doing a transfer from a regular saver account with an initial £1.00 deposit.
As I have a reg saver account I thought I'd give it a try.

Phoned up and asked to open Golden ISA.
Was told that I needed to be a Current account customer to open over the phone or to go to a branch if not.
Told her about the delay in obtaining an appointment and asked if it was not possible to transfer money from my reg saver account.
Was told I dont think so but she went away to check.
Came back and said you are right it is possible to do that.

So about 5 mins later had an ISA account number and sort code without any appointment.

So have opened wit a £1.00 deposit and can fund the rest via cheque in branch or by post.

Rob_07

andy1465 wrote: »

Went to a branch of Barclays today to open a Golden ISA as I am not a Current Account holder with online access.
Living in Scotland there are very few branches so went to my nearest which is around a 20 minute drive away.
I was told that I would have to make an appointment and that the first available would be 10 days away unless there was a cancelation.
Said thanks but no thanks.
Came home thinking that was a waste of time.

Logged on to this forum for a read and saw that someone opened an ISA over the phone by doing a transfer from a regular saver account with an initial £1.00 deposit.
As I have a reg saver account I thought I'd give it a try.

Phoned up and asked to open Golden ISA.
Was told that I needed to be a Current account customer to open over the phone or to go to a branch if not.
Told her about the delay in obtaining an appointment and asked if it was not possible to transfer money from my reg saver account.
Was told I dont think so but she went away to check.
Came back and said you are right it is possible to do that.

So about 5 mins later had an ISA account number and sort code without any appointment.

So have opened wit a £1.00 deposit and can fund the rest via cheque in branch or by post.

Hi,
Not sure if you realise or were told, but by doing this you could loose the bonus rate on the regular savings account for the month, as the £1 transfer could count as a withdrawal.

Rob

MrGumby

bankemployee101 wrote: »

Hi MrGrumby, Barclays endeavours to be available through as many channels as possible, and it's a shame to see you've had to go elsewhere because of this problem - given the mistakes that came about with ISAs in previous tax years, Barclays did as much as possible to prevent this problem for the Golden ISA - with this in mind, I'm sure something will be done to simplify the process even more for the next ISA (I realise this doesn't help with your problem, but felt it was worth pointing out). Furthermore, please bear in mind that a current account is no pre-requisite for an ISA with Barclays, which is certainly NOT the case with many other banks (once again, I realise this isn't related to your comments).
Barclays offers very competitive products and services, and once again, it is a shame that you've been discouraged by this lacking facility.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I recognise that Barclays has done a great deal to improve the ISA opening process. I can't agree with "as much as possible", though, simply because of the need for non-account holders to go to a branch. In recent years, I have opened ISAs with many institutions without visiting a branch. These include M&S, YBS, KRBS, Nationwide and NS&I. Why is it so hard for Barclays? Making me call an 0845 number (to make an appointment) is just rubbing salt into my wounds.

To be fair, I should add that I opened an ISA with Halifax in November, and they were much worse than Barclays. For a start, I had to visit a branch with documents to prove my id (why not through the post?), and the whole process was farcical, with countless mistakes by Halifax staff (incorrect factual information, paperwork disappearing, etc). The result was many weeks' delay in opening the account by which time the fixed rate had been reduced. Luckily, all the phone calls were recorded and I did, in the end, get the correct rate applied and the interest back-dated, plus some compensation, but it was a painful process.

Mee

My theory is that they just want to sell you other products which is easier to do when you are sat in front of them. I've opened a current tax year Barclays ISA three years in a row and whilst visiting a branch has been a bit of hasle it wasn't a real inconvenience. This time they suggested opening their regular saver (6%) account and then transferring the money into next years ISA - I may consider that....

alittlelost_2

Just wanted to share my experience too.Popped into the local branch this morning and the first thing I was told was that I ought to have an appointment to open this ISA.Then, was pointlessly asked if I banked with Barclays (wouldn't need to pop into branch to open the ISA if I already did!). To top it all of, was told that I would need to open a current account to service the ISA online. Now I have been with the same bank for nearly 5 years and am hoping to apply for a mortgage this year. Don't think I will be adversely affecting my credit score by switching banks for a measely 0.1% extra interest(compared to natwest)

JR19

As I don't have a Barclays account, I telephoned to make an appointment at a branch near my workplace. I didn't get through to the branch and it took several minutes to leave my name, telephone number and the branch details (had to spell most words, including the branch address). I was then told that my information would be faxed over and that someone would contact me with an appointment time within 2 hours. That was 2 days' ago.

wadewadewade

Hi all,
Long time reader, first time poster, thought I'd break myself in gently and this post is as good as any to do it. Currently have a regular saver with Barclays (7.something%), 12 month bonus ends in a few months so I went in to open the Golden ISA (at the branch) yesterday - no problems whatsoever, was opened on the spot with a £10 deposit. All I had was a driver's license, the details from my regular saver's account were enough (luckily - you never know!)
Discovered a really old savings account which I'm going to transfer over to my ISA, then when the regular saver account is done I'm going to move that into the ISA as well. Simples.

tiggy61

As an exisiting Barclays customer (previously with The Woolwich), I tried to open a Golden ISA online a few days ago. However, right at the end of the process, I was told I needed to go to the branch to open the account, with proof of itdentity. Feeling a bit peeved, I went to the Branch on my day off, with my proof of identity. However, counter staff told me I would need to make an appointment in order to open an ISA account, and all staff were busy today. They did acknowledge that this should have been mentioned on the website, and as an existing customer it should have been strightforward to open and account, but were still unable to help.

If they don't want my money, then I shall be investing elsewhere!!

Niloc

I already bank with Barclays- on shore and off shore (well, IoM). I use the offshore account for overseas payments which the high street cannot do as and when I want it.

Called in the branch today and was told that as I had an offshore account already (?) I couldn't open an ISA.
The offshore account IS registered for tax purposes with HMRC and pays all of 40 pence per year!
Do they want the money or not?

Whose rules are these?