Barclays Golden ISA feedback

Froglet

I think it just proves that it all depends on the individual branch you go to to open the Isa.I went into my local one last week.Have lived in the market town for 24 years and work next door to Barclays! but never been inside.They were very busy but i was given an appointment within the hour and i was very impresssed with the ease it was opened by an advisor who was not at all pushy,which i hate,but helpful and chatty.

I received the documents yesterday,my cheque was cashed within 2 days and overall have no complaints whatsoever.I would not give up the HSBC who i bank with ,but this Isa will serve it's purpose well and now gives me the ability to instantly withdraw cash if i need to,at a very good rate.

MrGumby

All this talk about going into branches.

Why, why, WHY is it ever necessary to go to a branch in the 21st century?! What a waste of time and, for most people, travel and perhaps parking cost.

Froglet

Well in my case i had to go into the branch as i didn't have any other account,to show my ID.I have in the past had to send it and i can assure you it was a LOT more hassle getting the documents certified(Coventry insisted on it but their's was a very good account,so well worth it).Most internet accounts however do look at your ID electroniclly so generally there isn't a problem.In my case i was going to town anyway,with free parking,so it was no hassle in my case but i do only work part time.So i can see it's a problem for people who work full time.

bankemployee101

hebron wrote: »

I changed my (joint) day to day account into a active saver account. When I asked for a card for my wife later on they told me it had accidently been open only in my name. My wife wasn't bothered but I was surprised yesterday to see it listed in her account.

Sorry for the delay in replying hebron.
I've never come across an (apparent) error like this before - in order for the account to appear in your wife's online banking, it MUST be either solely in *her* name, or in *joint* names. My guess is that the account IS in joint names, but when my colleague (to whom you spoke re: the card) looked at it they saw only your name in the account's shortname (eg. SMITH A, not SMITH A&B) - upon closer inspection they may then have seen that the account is, indeed, in joint names. If this is the case, my previous post explains how this can be resolved; if not, then a complaint can be raised to have the issue investigated if you feel this is necessary.
Please note also that the Active Savings account is now paying 0.20% AER variable, and you may* wish to move any funds into the newer MoreForMore savings account, paying from 0.50% AER variable (with tiered interest rates). This would not involve saving any extra money (unless you wished to do so) and is very simple to action.
*Please remember that without reviewing your needs, I can't make specific recommendations about your finances, and you must speak to an advisor before making any decisions.

bankemployee101

MrGumby wrote: »

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.

Hi MrGumby (sorry for my typing mistake in my last post to you!)
I think ultimately it will remain uncertain for the time being as to WHY Barclays has limited this facility to branch only; cynics would no doubt argue that it is solely with the intention of promoting other products and services or to limit the volume of accounts paying the 3.61% AER variable, others may argue that it is to crack down on the various money laundering, fraud, etc. legalities...who knows?!
I hope the ISA you chose proves viable, and that you will consider Barclays an option for future financial dealings.

rb10

bankemployee101 wrote: »

Please note also that the Active Savings account is now paying 0.20% AER variable, and you may* wish to move any funds into the newer MoreForMore savings account, paying from 0.50% AER variable (with tiered interest rates).

Oh come on, if you're going to move your money to a better paying account (certainly an advisable thing to do!), there are far better rates than 0.5%.

Bankemployee101, although you do seem rather keen on Barclays, surely you appreciate that for savings they are not the way forward. On a public forum like this, imo it's not really appropriate to just take Barclays' account and exclude all others.

bankemployee101

rb10 wrote: »

Oh come on, if you're going to move your money to a better paying account (certainly an advisable thing to do!), there are far better rates than 0.5%.

Bankemployee101, although you do seem rather keen on Barclays, surely you appreciate that for savings they are not the way forward. On a public forum like this, imo it's not really appropriate to just take Barclays' account and exclude all others.

Thank you for your comment rb10, please remember I'm not here to make any recommendations and I'm well aware there are superior rates on offer, (as is hebron, I'm sure); the accounts Barclays offers *are* competitive, and many customers insist on saving with us, over any other UK bank. There are many reasons behind this (such as security and accessibility to name but two), especially given the ongoing turmoil in the banking sector.
Personally, I bank with several institutions, and (although since January I have moved all my savings to Barclays) I would be more than happy to mention other accounts from other banks that I feel worth mentioning if it were appropriate in other threads - this thread is not for this purpose, however, and my last post to hebron came about simply as a passing comment to help him resolve the issue.
If you read my other posts (say, on other threads) re: Barclays, I only offer what I believe to be suitable advice to help resolve issues and concerns. I'm not here to defend the bank, I want to help and I hope it is appreciated.

Scousebird_2

StAnToN wrote: »

On a more personal note, the amount of times I have seen Direct Channels cancel off applications by branch staff or online applications, and complete a new application for self gain is unbelievable. So dont give me this rubbish about misselling in the branch. How can cancelling an application on the system and re doing it purely for self merit be better for the customer as you are wasting their time first and foremost.QUOTE]

With the greatest of respect StAnToN-I have to say that works both ways. I am not saying you have ever done it because I don't know you but I used to be an employee of DC and on occasions I recorded high value loans with PPI on my tally and then not finding my incentive had been paid for it. When my manager checked it, we had found that the loan had been re-scored and re-drawn for an extra £1000-when I have completed my DICE and broke down all the customers finances-and in the call clearly saying to the customer-is there anything else you owe that we can consolodate for you so you have one monthly commitment (even ticking back through the SODDS list on Pause&Prepare)-then the customer opting to sign for the loan in branch-which I was fine with-so I would status 2 it and send the documents for signing-and then someone has called Barclayloan 2 hours later to cancel my loan off-lovely! I would of been keen to see the debt breakdown completed in branch!

It's not nice and DC get paid less and the pressure is immense (not that I am saying the branch is any less of a pressured environment).

I was one of the honest, ethical and customer centric people, and unfortunately, due to my lack of competitiveness and my empathy for the customer, I felt that I couldn't push things on every customer and my judgement of people's emotions was questioned to a point where I left because I was proud of who I was and I wasn't going to change for the sake of a sales job. It's bloody good money granted-but not worth the stress and worry of not hitting target on a slow day/week.

bankemployee101

Scousebird wrote: »

With the greatest of respect StAnToN-I have to say that works both ways. I am not saying you have ever done it because I don't know you but I used to be an employee of DC and on occasions I recorded high value loans with PPI on my tally and then not finding my incentive had been paid for it. When my manager checked it, we had found that the loan had been re-scored and re-drawn for an extra £1000-when I have completed my DICE and broke down all the customers finances-and in the call clearly saying to the customer-is there anything else you owe that we can consolodate for you so you have one monthly commitment (even ticking back through the SODDS list on Pause&Prepare)-then the customer opting to sign for the loan in branch-which I was fine with-so I would status 2 it and send the documents for signing-and then someone has called Barclayloan 2 hours later to cancel my loan off-lovely! I would of been keen to see the debt breakdown completed in branch!

It's not nice and DC get paid less and the pressure is immense (not that I am saying the branch is any less of a pressured environment).

I was one of the honest, ethical and customer centric people, and unfortunately, due to my lack of competitiveness and my empathy for the customer, I felt that I couldn't push things on every customer and my judgement of people's emotions was questioned to a point where I left because I was proud of who I was and I wasn't going to change for the sake of a sales job. It's bloody good money granted-but not worth the stress and worry of not hitting target on a slow day/week.

Might I suggest a private message for these posts, as they are unrelated to the thread (I appreciate StAnToN did not do so)
Remember, also, that these problems can be raised internally, and are far more effective if done so.
For the record, I'm with DC and know exactly what you mean Scousebird!

Elspeth

I had no problems opening a new Barclays ISA (online).

I'm sure I requested a 'Golden' version, however the letter I received yesterday congratulates me on having opened a 'Cash ISA' and states the interest rate at 0.1% (rather than the 3ish% of the Golden one).

It could just be that I've been sent the wrong letter, but I'll need to put some effort into finding out; and if I have been given the poorly-paying version I'm glad I read the letter carefully!