The end of Barclays

Legacy_user

I thought i'd just write a little note about closing my Barclays account. I have had a Barclays account since I was a degree student 10 years ago. At first they were ok, and as a non MSEr back then all the goodies and that (that came at a price) were free.

Over that time, I ran up overdraughts of £2400 and regulalry went over and would have to beg and plead (in the open office) for a temporary extension etc.

When I left they started charging for the overdraught, with the obligatory Additions account (to get a better rate of OD interest they say but a) most of the crap that came with it was useless and b) there are much better rates to be had elsewhere)

My OD was costing me £10 for the additions account and ~£30 in interest per month.

Then I got an account manager (bullied into it basically, either that or pay it all back now and close the account)

This account manager gave regular "reviews" and almost always ended up in a loan of one type or another. He even tried to get me to take a mortgage off him :eek:

Over time the amount of money in interest must have been obscence, and its all an elaborate ruse to keep you a) with them and b) paying interest or using a service that you never will actually use.

Then I thought oh too much hassle to change etc etc. I tried it with A & L and stalled a bit but it went smoothly and i'm so glad its done now, but they reallly don't give a stuff when you say you are leaving.

It's an end of an era, but a goodun. If you use Barclays and have an OD, I so recommend moving to A&L, its internet banking is spot on and its painless to move.

Regards

13000

Broken_hearted

Hugs. I have mixed feelings with Barclays too. Sometimes it felt like they owned me.

Xbigman

13000 wrote:

, but they reallly don't give a stuff when you say you are leaving.

Very true. There is no such thing as a valued customer anymore.
Regards



X

climbgirl

13000 wrote:

but they reallly don't give a stuff when you say you are leaving.

No offence, but they're probably grateful to see you go! I don't mean this personally, but banks work roughly on the following percentages when it comes to customers - 20% of them make money for the bank, 60% of them cause them to break even or make a tiny bit, 20% lose them money. So they've taken what interest they can from you and you've gone before it turned into the "writing off bad debts" stage where they lose out big time.

Sorry to be harsh, but it's true. They're businesses, if they're not making money off you anymore they don't want you around.

Having said that, you shouldn't show them any loyalty either, move around to get the best deals where you can. It sounds like you've made a good move!