Want to be debt free - Barclays RANT

loobie

Me and my dh sent letters to all our creditors 2 weeks ago, along with a financial statement indication our current financial issues (him out of work, and we are struggling, BIG time).

Everyone has come back in agreement, apart from Barclays. I have tried to get through to them since Monday, each time getting through to a call centre in New Dehli. They don't know anything about the letter we sent (but to be fair, it WAS sent to England!)

I eventually managed to talk to a lady who said that they were not prepared to accept the offer we made (Both me and my dh have 2 cards each), insisting that we made a payment 5 times bigger! She did say that the interest would be frozen on MY accounts. Then. she spoke to my husband and informed him that his offers had also been rejected, but that his payments had to be 10 more than we had offered, and that he would be charged late payment fees, and default charges and the interest would not be frozen.

What do I do now?

I am on the verge of writing them 2 really snotty letters, sending them to England, using recorded delivery.

Is there a follow up template letter anywhere?

Are Barclays known for being very customer un-friendly and un-supportive or is it just us?

Any help/advice gratefully received x x

tallyhoh

I used to collect rent a few years ago. We had targets etc to collect debts. You always try to get as much as you can out of people (sorry, thats how it was/is).
Its no use them trying to collect money you dont have. Stick to whatever you have offered & make the payments.
Its actually unlikely they will take you to court as it costs them money & if you are paying whats the point? If they do take you to court the judge will order you to pay what you can afford, which is probably what you have already offered.

Sure someone will be along in a mo with a template for you.

barbiedoll

Me and my OH have a Barclays debt and when we sent similar letters, they sent back a really snotty reply saying that they couldn't accept the low repayments as it would take too long to repay the debt. Then they sent us a default letter and last week, they wrote to inform us that the debt had been passed to a company called Credit Solutions. Although debt collection agencies can be a real pain, the interest has been frozen and we just sent a letter to them stating that we will not discuss financial matters on the telephone and to contact us in writing only. They are currently phoning twice daily, which we ignore (if you don't already have one, get an answer machine, it's a lifesaver!) I too have worked in debt collection and as long as you keep sending your regular repayments, they won't refuse them. You may get lots of hassle and threatening letters from the DCA which can be distressing, but don't be bullied. There is always help and support on here and as everyone will tell you, they can't take what you don't have. Don't bother trying to deal with call centre staff, they work from a script and you will feel like you are banging your head against a brick wall, they can't be reasoned with! You have done all the right things, the creditor has been informed of your situation, you have made an offer to pay, they will accept it eventually, after all, what choice do they have?

angelbob

hi i hope you manage to get something sorted with barclaycard i know what they are like, one piece of advice if you have a barclays bank account watch out they can take your money out to repay the barclycard debt. i think its totally wrong but it took me ages to sort out my child maintanence from my ex got paid a lump sum of £250 ish and barclays took it, then on the phone i basically got told i originally stole the money (in those words) i never got it back and my ex hasn' paid child support since.