Sainsbury's Credit Card - Tranfer problems

TotalTenacity

Has anyone else run into a problem with Sainsbury's credit card? I tried to take advantage of the low life of balance interest rate by attempting to transfer my £6000 Halifax Visa balance. This was turned down because they were the same company. When I asked for a review I was asked to telephone Sainsbury's Bank on a certain number. I was answered by a Halifax person who basically hadn't got a clue what she was doing. I have even escalated this to the CEO's of Sainsbury's and its bank. Unlike the real Sainsbury's bank (RBOS I think) the Halifax crew are totally unprofessional. The logical offer would have been to transfer the balance and close the Halifax card, which I suggested. No chance. Despite a more than adequate salary of my own and a household income that is, without boasting, high, this was turned down. I am now trying to move my balance more because I am convinced that this account is unsafe than to save money - and from me that statement is quite something!!! I would warn anyone against opening either a Halifax or Sainsbury's Credit Card - go to companies that know what they are doing!!

Anwen_2

Most CCs won't let you transfer a balance from a card within the same group, especially when it is a special offer like LoB. Sorry, I would bet that it's in the T&Cs. Also:

Sainsbury's Bank plc is a joint venture with 45% of the share capital owned by the Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, a subsidiary of HBOS plc. ...

i.e. it's not RBS but the Bank of Scotland, which is now part of HBOS, where the H stands for Halifax.

Moggles_2

Hi TotalTenacity

Welcome to MSE & the credit card board!

This decision has nothing to do with your credentials, so try not to take it personally.

Lenders offer low interest, life-of-balance deals for one reason only, to attract new business. In your case there was nothing to be gained, because you're an existing customer with Sainsbury's, part of the same stable as Halifax.

There's a table which will help you avoid cards issued by the HBOS group here:

http://www.stoozing.com/cards.htm

For suggestions, you may want to have a look at the Best Balance Transfers sticky above.

Very best
M

Call_Centre_Monkey

You can do transfers between Sainsburys and Halifax cards, and vice versa. Although both are run through HBOS, Sainsburys Bank is an entity in it's own right.

Was there any other reason why they wouldn't let you do it? Credit limit (or should I say 90% of it) not enough to cover the balance transfer?