Barclaycard Direct Debit Starts a Problem

getupthathill

Hi. This is my first post on this forum and hopefully not my last. I thought I would share my experience with you in hope that someone can check my sanity.

I have had a Barclaycard on the introductory 0% for about six months now. I was making manual payments on a monthly basis but decided in February to change this over to the direct debit system. I provided all the obligatory information and as easy as 1,2,3 that was it all done.

I knew my regular payment date was approaching so I checked with my bank and saw the Direct Debit was in place, the money was in the account and all I needed was the date to fall and everything would be sorted for another month.

Two days after my due date I received a phone call from Barclaycard asking why I had missed the payment. I was gobsmacked and told them this. I explained all of the above and they then told me that the direct debit takes 4 to 6 weeks to set up and that I was made aware of this at the time. I could not disagree with this however given that the Direct Debit was showing on my personal bank account and the Barclaycard Website said "You're paying the minimum amount by Direct Debit" I felt I had the right to protest. The Barclaycard rep agreed with me that the missed payment was down to a simple error and agreed to refund the late payment charge of £12. I asked if my 0% rate was affected and I was told "It hasn't been affected"

The next day I rang Barclaycard again and spoke to another rep. I asked what my interest rate was and he replied that it was the standard rate as my account had defaulted and I had lost the 0% deal. I argued my case with him as above and he agreed the 0% rate would be reinstated and a £5 gift would be put on my account to cover the phone calls. He assured me that the 0% would be reinstated.

It all sounds easy so far but here's where my problem is. When I check my March statement it clearly shows I will be charged interest. I have emailed Barclaycard and written to their Customer Services to lodge a complaint but so far the only communication I have received back is a letter detailing the late payment charge. This letter is dated 15 March which was the day after my payment due date. I'm getting really fed up waiting on Barclaycard getting back to me. My problem is about to be compounded by the fact I work overseas and I'm about to leave for another 2 months and the only comms I have is email.

So, am I being paranoid and should I just have faith in the system? Or can anyone suggest another course of action?

ElmerFudd

Unfortunately with Barclays you have to keep an eye on them. I had trouble with them in the past not taking out the direct debit in due time. One other thing to mention though for most of these companies is that it can take a good couple of weeks to clear as a direct debit, so meanwhile after setting these up I usually pay manually.
With regard to your complaint to Barclays it pays to be paranoid. I would keep an eye on your bill and see if you are charged. If you are you can call them/email them again and explain about the last phonecall etc.

HTH

getupthathill

After another few phone calls and emails I finally got the news I was waiting for. Barclaycard have reinstated my 0% rate. I struggled to get written confirmation but they eventually gave in and sent me the following email.


"I?m writing to explain that you recently breached the conditions of your Barclaycard
by exceeding your credit limit. When you signed your agreement you accepted that if
you took advantage of any promotional rates you would make at least the minimum payment
on time each month and would stay within your credit limit. If you didn?t, your outstanding
balance would revert to your standard rate of interest.

On this occasion, I have refunded the overlimit fee. I must inform you that we will not be
able to refund any further charges due to late or missed payment.

Also as a valued customer, we would like you to continue to benefit from the offer and have
returned your balance transfer to the promotional rate, but in future, please remember
to make your payments on time and don?t exceed your credit limit. By doing so, you?ll be
able to enjoy the great rates we offer.

I hope that this clarifies our position for you."

It is obviously a pre-formatted email and doesn't exactly refer to my case but it's still worth pushing them to get it. Thanks to ElmerFudd for the input and to all those that have a similar experience please do not give up.

Hax

FWIW, when you set up a direct debit, keep an eye on your statements. Only when your statement shows that the payment will be collected by DD should you even begin to think that the DD is in place. Up until that point, you need to continue making manual payments.