Marbles closing account question.

Spark

I had a letter from Marbles beginning of february telling me that I had to call them to get a new card from BOS before the 22 february, if not my account will be closed automatically and I won't be receiving any replacement card.
Today I have received a statement from Marbles coming from Bank of Scotland. There is a summary of my account, and the balance is stated as Closing Balance : £0.00
Does Closing Balance means I am done with Marbles for good and that I can cut off my card?
It is a bit confusing, as I have 4 sheets of papers welcoming me to Bank of Scotland and with changes to my account etc.., it looks a bit like I still have an account with them, I want to be sure the account is really closed and that it won't come back to bite me at a later date.

epsilondraconis

Why not just call them to find out what is going on...

Spark

Probably because they'll try to push their new credit cards on me, and I am not the most patient person when handling pushy people anymore, so I'd rather ask on a forum first, and call at the last resort.

epsilondraconis

I'm not sure anyone on here will be able to answer conclusively based upon the information you have supplied.

I just say no to anyone asking if I want extra financial offerings, when they ask again (which they usually do) I just say no again. Typically part of the job of the customer service rep is to sell these extra facilities.

The only two other alternatives I can think of to calling are:

1. Write a letter.
2. Wait for a couple of months and then get an updated credit report to determine whether the card is still active.

Good luck.

withnell

I find that if you ask the "retentions" people for the dream features you want on a credit card, they'll often be able to make you a pretty decent offer, so it's probably worth ringing!

Spark

Thanks, I'll wait a while then. I do intend to get my credit report soon, as it's nearly two years I didn't get one, and I like to get one every year to check that the information is accurate.
I know they can make you offers etc.., but I don't need another card or another offer right now. I am happy with what I got left (used to have too many CCs and store cards, now down to 4:D)
All I am interested is cards with a low APR, and at the moment the cards offer too high APRs for me to apply.
That Marbles card was the best one once upon a time (many years ago), offering an APR of 8.9%, but now just offering 15.9%. (which is good but I have other cards offering that kind of APR, so don't need another one).

never-in-doubt

Spark wrote: »

I had a letter from Marbles beginning of february telling me that I had to call them to get a new card from BOS before the 22 february, if not my account will be closed automatically and I won't be receiving any replacement card.
Today I have received a statement from Marbles coming from Bank of Scotland. There is a summary of my account, and the balance is stated as Closing Balance : £0.00
Does Closing Balance means I am done with Marbles for good and that I can cut off my card?
It is a bit confusing, as I have 4 sheets of papers welcoming me to Bank of Scotland and with changes to my account etc.., it looks a bit like I still have an account with them, I want to be sure the account is really closed and that it won't come back to bite me at a later date.

Spark mate

The new paperwork/zero balance all makes sense that you've now officially moved from marbles terms to Hbos terms.

In a nutshell, marbles are no more - your account is now with Hbos so Hbos want you to use their terms, not the old Marbles ones. This usually means closing the Marbles account and issuing a brand new account.

They can do this without doing a credit search as you are an existing customer, by all accounts with decent credit (i.e. not like your card was maxed out).

Failing that, you use your existing card or you'll be sent a new one. As you don't use it much just hold fire for a week or so and see what happens.

Out of interest, what is the expiry on your marbles card?

jools10

I have had the same from the Halifax. Haven't used the card for a few years and had a letter two months ago saying the account was being closed unless i contacted them by a certain date.

Today i received a statement as usual showing a nil balance and no mention of the account being closed.

staffie1

Spark wrote: »

Probably because they'll try to push their new credit cards on me, and I am not the most patient person when handling pushy people anymore, so I'd rather ask on a forum first, and call at the last resort.

Spark, I used to be like that and avoid calling a bank, etc or going into a branch because I just knew they would try to flog me something or other. But I've learned to be polite but firm in refusing outright if I'm not interested. Just say - I'm not interested thank you.

The way I see it is if you didn't want it when you woke up this morning, you don't want it now !

Spark

That's what it says on the letter (dated 16th december 2008) :
"As it is some time since you used your account, we want to make sure you are happy to receive a new marbles card. If you would like to receive a new card, please call Bank of Scotland after 22nd February 2009 - we'll then arrange for you to be sent a new card and PIN. If you do not The date on the letter was 16th december 2008, and not february, as I thought.
wish to receive a new card then you do not need to do anything."
"If you don't contact us, we won't send you a new one. You can continue to use your existing card until 22nd february, after which you'll need to destroy it.
My card expires in september 2009.
I had no other correspondence about sending me a new card or a new pin.
I wasn't expecting any more correspondence after that letter, so I am surprised to get a statement for that card. I suppose they sent me a standard statement, and if I was to owe something on the card I would have had to pay the balance.

PeteMc

They (BoS) sent me a new card automatically which I destroyed. I filled in the cancellation part that came with the card, sent that back and a couple of weeks later recived an acknowledgement that the account was closed.

Given the letter you received I'd say that you're fine and I'd destroy the old card as your account number would have changed on 22/02 so the old card is useless.