Looking for a new bank - fed up with Barclays pushy sales people

MythMonster

I have been a customer of Barclays for nearly 20 years. In the past couple of years I have been getting increasingly sick and tired of having to phone Barclays (usually because of a fault of their making) and having to deal with their staff trying to sell me just about everything they can. Each time they block me from buying something because of "security" and I have to phone them up to tell them its me trying to spend my money I have to listen to their sales pitch before I can get what I want. The other day I just wanted to check they had updated some of my details and the guy on the phone almost got nasty with me when I told him I wasnt interested in all the offers.
I went in to my local branch recently and that was just as bad if not worse.

So basically what I am looking for is a bank that doesnt have these aggressive sales people waiting on the phone for you when you just want to call them about your own money and simply deals with your requests. This bank is really starting to stress me out and my heart sinks when I know I have to contact them about something.

Are all banks like this or is it just Barclays? Does anyone else have these problems with Barclays?

Any suggestions?

Amme

MythMonster wrote: »

I have been a customer of Barclays for nearly 20 years. In the past couple of years I have been getting increasingly sick and tired of having to phone Barclays (usually because of a fault of their making) and having to deal with their staff trying to sell me just about everything they can. Each time they block me from buying something because of "security" and I have to phone them up to tell them its me trying to spend my money I have to listen to their sales pitch before I can get what I want. The other day I just wanted to check they had updated some of my details and the guy on the phone almost got nasty with me when I told him I wasnt interested in all the offers.
I went in to my local branch recently and that was just as bad if not worse.

So basically what I am looking for is a bank that doesnt have these aggressive sales people waiting on the phone for you when you just want to call them about your own money and simply deals with your requests. This bank is really starting to stress me out and my heart sinks when I know I have to contact them about something.

Are all banks like this or is it just Barclays? Does anyone else have these problems with Barclays?

Any suggestions?

Hi,

dont go to Natwest they are just as bad for selling products in my experience every time i go into branch or phone up they try and sell you something or get you in for a review!!

:rotfl:

MythMonster

Thanks Amme, that's Natwest crossed off the list then!

onlypaddy

Banks no longer have customer service people, with the exception of First Direct. Bank staff, even the bank manager are now all glorified sales people. If you send a letter formally stating that you want to be removed from all marketing then they legally must oblige.

But in general, First Direct are leagues ahead...

Mols

I too banked with Barclays for 20 years. I moved to HSBC early this year and am very pleased I finally made the move.

The final straw with Barclays for me was that they cancelled all my online Christmas shopping purchases as they felt that the extra activity on my account was unusual ... at Christmas!

They then, having issued a replacement card due to potentially fraudulant shopping activity, cancelled the next card within seven days as the card had been used in a suspect cash machine ......the cash machine in the main Barclays branch!

HSBC customer service has been excellent. They haven't called me to sell me anything, they don't try to sell me anything when I go in to pay in a cheque, they don't try to sell me 'an investment product with that ...' when I open extra accounts!

When I look back now at how long the Barclays problems were going on for and how long I had to spend rectifying their errors I wish I'd moved banks sooner!

missile

I have no complaints with Nationwide, RBS and LTSB.

thatsean

Happy with Cov and Yorkshire BS and BOS here.

hollydays

which have a report on best banks-available at the library

gt94sss2

MythMonster wrote: »

So basically what I am looking for is a bank that doesnt have these aggressive sales people waiting on the phone for you when you just want to call them about your own money and simply deals with your requests. This bank is really starting to stress me out and my heart sinks when I know I have to contact them about something.

Are all banks like this or is it just Barclays? Does anyone else have these problems with Barclays?

Any suggestions?

As others have said, try HSBC or First Direct - they don't try and sell you additional products at a branch or on the telephone.

On the other hand, Natwest and Lloyds, in my experience do..

Regards
Sunil

MythMonster

Great stuff thanks folks
It sounds like HSBC is quite good from some of the replies although I dont have a local branch nearby. I do have an RBS locally though.

datostar

MythMonster wrote: »

Great stuff thanks folks
It sounds like HSBC is quite good from some of the replies although I dont have a local branch nearby. I do have an RBS locally though.

Unless you're in Scotland, your local RBS will soon be a branch of El Banco Santander!