Balance transfers considered a purchase?

big_sharp_teeth

Is this normal?

To cut a long story short my situation is this:

1. Applied for credit card.

2. Accepted and card/pin sent out.

3. Only pin arrived so requested new card.

4. Ask to do 0% balance transfer over phone but told I must wait until I have the card.

4. New card does not arrive and I am told they have had problems sending out cards. Another card is sent.

5. Card arrives but it is just over 60 days since acceptance.

6. Request 0% balance transfer but told I am too late. Explain situation and after discussions I am told that as it was not my fault that the card did not arrive I could have 0% balance transfer. They confirmed this was for 12 months. Carry out balance transfer.

7. First months interest is at 0%.

8. From then on I have been charged interest.

9. After many calls and broken promises to correct this, call me back etc, have been told I was never offered 0% balance transfer rate. I was told that the first month where I was charged 0% was because they consider a balance transfer a purchase and I had 3 months 0% interest on purchases.

I have escalated this with them but I just wanted to check if it is normal to consider a balance transfer a purchase?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Moggles_2

I just wanted to check if it is normal to consider a balance transfer a purchase?

No, that's not normal. Which credit card is involved?

big_sharp_teeth

Moggles wrote: »

No, that's not normal. Which credit card is involved?

It's Barclaycard.

Moggles_2

What's become of the credit card agreement you signed?

If you cannot find the paperwork or didn't save/print it during an online application, I would ask Barclaycard for a copy (you can do this over the phone). It's important to know what Ts & Cs you're signed up to and you'll feel more confident tackling customer services with written confirmation to hand.

If you ring Card Services on 0800 068 4899 and hold, then select 0 from the menu to speak to an adviser, you'll avoid the overseas call centre and the perishing 0870 numbers

If B'card still won't budge, I would request a copy of its complaints procedure (once again, you can do this over the phone). This sets out the time limits allowed for dealing with your complaint. The bank is also obliged to confirm the result of your complaint in writing.

You have the right to take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman if you are not satisfied with the outcome.

big_sharp_teeth

Moggles wrote: »

What's become of the credit card agreement you signed?

If you cannot find the paperwork or didn't save/print it during an online application, I would ask Barclaycard for a copy (you can do this over the phone). It's important to know what Ts & Cs you're signed up to and you'll feel more confident tackling customer services with written confirmation to hand.

If you ring Card Services on 0800 068 4899 and hold, then select 0 from the menu to speak to an adviser, you'll avoid the overseas call centre and the perishing 0870 numbers

If B'card still won't budge, I would request a copy of its complaints procedure (once again, you can do this over the phone). This sets out the time limits allowed for dealing with your complaint. The bank is also obliged to confirm the result of your complaint in writing.

You have the right to take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman if you are not satisfied with the outcome.

Thanks very much indeed for the advice!