Of all the cheek! (Virgin Credit Card)

Curt.

Btw i'm not really gleeful that they get a mouthful over this specific issue, like i indicated in my post, they have every right to do what they are doing.

Its just a more "generic" hatred of Virgin i have.

Rupert_Bear

Always looked after me. Brilliant credit card company. My apr for purchases is 11.8% and get all the usual great offers. Held an MBNA card for about 4 years.

Scaredy_Cat_3

Curt. wrote: »

Well if i was incompetant at providing you the service, i would fully expect it...and accept it too.

Presumably of its not their fault, they shouldn't just spout the company line.

But i guess that further excels their ability as a company so Branson isn't entirely an idiot.

If its not their fault, well...anyhow point made and noted.

I couldn't agree more about how annoying it is when companies are incompetent etc. However, I have to speak up in defence of call centre agents. Well, some agents anyway. I know some really are uncaring etc but some are only 'spouting the company line' because they have no option. Calls are recorded and staff can be disciplined if they say something wrong.

If you have a complaint there are systems in place for this to be logged and dealt with. Shouting at the person on the end of the phone doesn't help. It doesn't make your complaint get logged any quicker than someone who stays calm but wants to make a point and get something rectified.

I'm as guilty as the next person of getting mad when ringing call centres. All the recorded options before you even get to speak to a real person mean my blood is usually boiling by the time I do get through... but the systems are not put in place by the call centre agents - they are put in place by top level management who don't get yelled at by customers. It's like yelling at the counter staff in MacDonalds because you don't like the company's ethical policy. Remember these are just ordinary people, like you, trying to earn a living.

princess*daisy

Oh, I am sorry... I thought this was the Money Saving Expert forums. I assumed that people here would share the same opinion that 24.9% APR is a little extortionate for a credit card and that it's difficult enough to pay back debt without companies upping your interest rate at the drop of a hat. Apparently not.

izools

princess*daisy wrote: »

Oh, I am sorry... I thought this was the Money Saving Expert forums. I assumed that people here would share the same opinion that 24.9% APR is a little extortionate for a credit card and that it's difficult enough to pay back debt without companies upping your interest rate at the drop of a hat. Apparently not.

I don't understand your complaint. You saved money by getting a 0% deal elsewhere.

And yeah 24.9% is a bit high for some people if they have an impeccable credit rating but those that do have two options - opt out of the increase (you chose not to) or move tha balance elsewhere (you did this).

For other people 24.9% is a phenominal rate and they have several thousand pounds outstanding with the likes of sub prime card providers or worse yet, those that have reported four figure balances being hiked to 34.9%

If MBNA / Virgin hadn't increased your rate you wouldn't have gone on to a 0% deal from another provider so their having done this has resulted in your being better off, has it not?

In the greater scheme of things you have done very well - the APR increase wasn't as high as some people have witnessed, you don't have a massive balance to worry about, and your credit rating is good enough to get a card to shift the debt on to.

Think about those that missed their APR increasing, didn't ammend their standing order, and have been paing over limit and late fees on a multi-thousand pound balance because their APR (and subsequenrly minimum payments increased, too) went up to 34.9%. And think how you'd feel in that position not being able to get a card elsewhere because of all the late marks resulting from your not paying the new higher minimum amount to cater for the higher interest rate.

princess*daisy

Yes, it has worked out better for me in the end - I was lucky that I had the option to get myself out of it. And yes, my reactions were possibly a little OTT. But I'm still not happy with the principle of it, and that's my prerogative. I don't know many people who would receive a letter over their credit card company over the bank holiday weekend to say that their APR had been increased and not actually be bothered.

izools

princess*daisy wrote: »

Yes, it has worked out better for me in the end - I was lucky that I had the option to get myself out of it. And yes, my reactions were possibly a little OTT. But I'm still not happy with the principle of it, and that's my prerogative. I don't know many people who would receive a letter over their credit card company over the bank holiday weekend to say that their APR had been increased and not actually be bothered.

Fair game. I'd be bothered, too. But I'd simply close the account and clear the balance ASAP. It happens.

Probably wouldn't risk damaging my score by applying for / opening a new accout but then again my credit history is in a very fragile state at the moment.

Pantera_Fan

Same thing happened to me in June but luckily I got offered 0% from my existing Egg card a few days later https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2565217

They are trying to increase my wife's card to 29.9% (despite perfect payment history). Her anniversery with Egg is due in a fortnight so we are waiting to see if get offered anything before transferring it away from them.

The funny thing is that we were both considering cancelling the Egg cards only days before we got our letters from Virgin - that would of been a costly mistake!

Consumerist

Degenerate wrote: »

They do indeed offer some unbeatable offers, which I have taken advantage of too, but one doesn't so much do business with MBNA as do battle with them. Their tempter deals are great for the financially savvy, but they ruthlessly milk those who are less clued-up.

Yes, must admit I was a bit surprised with MBNA recently.

Just paid the final settlement from 3 overlapping promotions which started in 2009. Now they've offered me 0% on purchases till June 2011 on purchases before November 2010.

Don't see how they're going to make money out of me - unless, of course, I slip up. Maybe that's their hope.

As if.

suburbanwifey

fozmcfc wrote: »

I think MBNA are wonderful, had a large credit card debt and paying about £70 interest a month. They accepted me for one of their cards at 0% for 16 months and I managed to save hundereds in interest payments.

Big up to MBNA I say, they have help me to secure a far better financial future than I could even imagine 2 years ago.

Cheers MBNA :money:

I agree another satisfied 'looked-after' customer of almost a decade here! :T

MBNA are only nasty if you don't pay back what you owe and what is wrong with that? they treat people who pay back what they owe well