'Free' (NOT!) balance transfer and missing payment - Santander

blue_monkey_2

Well, having read about the problems with applications I guess I am onto a non-starter here but going to have a rant about it anyway. :mad:

I recently was offered a card in branch and because I've always had a bad credit I accepted and thought it would boost my credit rating. They told me it was a free balance transfer but I said I did not have the details on me so I would do it another time.

I got the card with 3k limit and called the number to get the balance transfer done.

When I got the statement I saw there was a charge and on looking on the back of the statement there was a 3% charge for doing this. Neither the bank staff or the person I called to make the transfer made me aware of this charge, the lady behind the counter said it was free and the chap at the end pf the phone said nothing, should he have told me there was a charge?

I am pretty annoyed because I did not really need to transfer the balance as I had the money to pay it in full but I thought it would help my credit rating by having a balance on the new card. I've called them and they told me I need to go into the branch as only they can remove the charge. Somehow I think this cannot be true. Either way I am going to pay the damn thing off in person anyway.

This is my first time ever doing this and I will not be again, I've only ever had one CC and thought I would take the Santander and use it to build my rating up again. I usually pay in full each month anyway.

Also something else really annoyed me, I set up a 'bill payment' and then made a payment of £2400 to come out of Abbey to pay my card immediately, this was on 21/10. I definately did this and marked it paid on the statement. Last night I checked my bank account (which I do not really check that often tbh and it was a good job I did) and the bill payment I set up is not on the list, also the payment I made to clear the card has not gone through my account. There is nothing there Had I not checked I would have been charged for a late payment - I am very suspect about this and wonder if they have cancelled it intentionally to make my payment late and get money out of me as it is a 0% interest credit card. :mad: Thankfully I paid well in advance to get it sorted out.

Feeling very annoyed and irritated about this now. I am going to go and see them today to pay for the damn thing in branch (which I have to do by cheque - !!!!!!??) and tell them to remove the charge or to cancel the account. All in all it seems a very dodgy way to operate, I'd rather do without it as it has been nothing but a pain in the backside already, it is not like I need the card anyway.

Bloody Santander! :mad::mad::mad:

TFD_2

blue_monkey wrote: »

I am very suspect about this and wonder if they have cancelled it intentionally to make my payment late and get money out of me as it is a 0% interest credit card. :mad: Thankfully I paid well in advance to get it sorted out.

Not in a million years.

blue_monkey_2

Well, how do you explain it then? I set up a payment, for now and future payments, and those details are not even showing. And I set up a payment to leave my account immediately and that is not there either.

As I say, luckily I've still got 13 days to pay (has to be made 7 working days before the date of payment is due) else I'd be getting a late payment charge.

scott_lithgows

blue_monkey wrote: »

Bloody Santander! :mad::mad::mad:

blue_monkey wrote: »

Well, how do you explain it then?

Hope this helps :rolleyes:

catieeb06

Make sure you use the proper account number and sort code.

At the end of the day the 3% BT fee is in your terms and conditions and would have been mentioned in your credit agreement. It's your responsibility to check it before you sign it!

Live and learn.

blue_monkey_2

Apparently I have to go into branch tomorrow and they will refund the fee. We shall see. Funny thing is, if the staff say 'you can apply for a card and have a free balance transfer why would I think they are lying?'. As you say though, Live & learn and I certainly have.

I did use the correct number and sort code but I am going into branch tomorrow to ensure that it is paid. Won't be using it again though, I've got better things to do than spent over an hour there and back getting to town to pay a credit card bill.