Card with UK call centres and good customer service

roger_pearse

I'm currently with Barclaycard, who are making a pig's ear of a claim for a refund. The basic problem is that they use an Indian call-centre, and none of the staff I have spoken to speak English well enough. I'll probably have to small-claims court them, just to get their attention.

But... I only went to Barclaycard because their customer service was good (as it once was). Now I need to move on. I pay off the balance every month, so don't care about rate. What I do care about is customer service. I buy quite a bit of stuff from overseas institutions, and when it goes wrong, I don't want to be tossed into a snake-pit of pain.

Can anyone suggest credit card companies that (a) use exclusively UK staff and (b) have good customer service when it comes to refunds.

Many thanks,

Roger Pearse

ExNicotineQueen

First Direct use Scottish call centres I think (have only ever spoken to Scots before when I have called them) and are quick to resolve disputes/refunds. They have good customer service, I would recommend them. I use my FD cc to purchase goods from abroad and on the occasions where I have run into problems, a quick phone call sufficed and FD were quick to refund me.

benjus

What about Nationwide? Their cards are excellent for use with other currencies anyway and AFAIK all their customer service is UK based (I've always spoken to someone in the UK, anyway). I don't think I've ever had to claim a refund on anything but I've always found the customer service to be good quality.

Moggles_2

Barclaycard has good online services and, if you ring B'card Card Services on 01604 234234, you'll avoid the overseas call centre and the perishing 0870 numbers

Budner

I use Post Office card services, excellent customer service. Think they're based in Ireland, but they speak perfectly good english

roger_pearse

After these very useful suggestions about Barclaycard I rang the call centre number, expecting to get an Indian and make the request; and got someone in Teeside! (The first time, after around a dozen calls). He at least understood, but again promised someone would call me back.

Wish me luck, chaps.

In the meantime, I'll look at Natwest and the PO.

damienuk

Natwest? Really? Well afaik they don't manage their own credit card scheme (probably the same for all banks) so might be better than the shambles that is their banking!

As a former Morgan Stanely customer I liked their customer service (and freephone number!), but unfortunately they were subsequently bought by Goldfish and then Barclaycard. Not really had any major complaints with Barclaycard myself, hence still have that card (and another one which I originally took out with them). However, I haven't called them since they announced they were closing most of the UK call centres - if I called them today I would definitely be expecting a strong foreign accent.

As for claiming for unauthorised transactions, I have done this for a few Barclaycard transactions in the past and everything was smooth and simple (generally their pro-active checks are fairly accurate too).

roger_pearse

Rang Barclaycard's Indian call centre, asked to be transferred; told "I cannot do that".

Dabooka

I love them, (once you've typed in your memorbale date) you get the basic options and a fast option of speaking to someone. Always English, always quickly answered, always helpful. I have NEVER had to call back, been put on hold, referred etc.

Downside? Not everyone takes Amex, but more venues and web sites do now. Abroad can be an issue depending on where you travel. I'd have bother in the "Costas", but the other places I've been to I've never had a problem, and for how often I use them abroad it's not really an issue. I only hold an Amex now.

No links to the company at all, just a very pleased customer. :T

LeeSouthEast

Never actually got anyone bar UK call centres with Barclays, but then I usually ring the 'card services' number and not their generic 0870.

cifpower

I am with Ulster Bank (RBS) and have only dealt with a UK call centre and they have always been very helpful