Ditched Tesco Credit Card allelujah!

giblet10

OK so I'm no Tom Jones but this is worth singing about..finally I have found a new suitor and it comes highly rated.

After my numerous spats with Tesco Credit Card I've found the John Lewis credit card. My total priority was to find a provider that was highly rated and this came top of the chocs according to the Which survey of actual customers.

Bingo, as far as I am concerned and goodbye Tesco forever! No more paying online taking 9 days to clear, no more Tesco Credit Card quotes such as "I'm a Tesco Bank manager - age 21 but highly experienced in telephone banking and text book quotes like setting your expectations"

I have high hopes of John Lewis - but really, could they be any worse than Tesco Bank?

sharpy2010

Is your question really "Could John Lewis be worse than Tesco"?

If thats the case, here is the answer -: Most people will be happy with both companies, depending on who they have a card with. A small amount of customers will have problems with Tesco, and be unhappy. A small number of customers will have problems with John lewis, and be unhappy. Generally, most customers will be content. Therefore, it is ok to assume that yes, to some people, John Lewis could be worse than Tesco.

Happy to surmise.

tomsco

OK. So how long till we get you posting on every John Lewis thread complaining about them?

broad-sword_2

Never had a problem with Tesco CC in 7 years, and never paid 1p in interest. 9 days to clear online payments is way out anything we've ever experienced. They gave us 650 club card points last month for sticking with them once the Finest card changed from Visa to Mastercard. Suppose, I'm one of the majority that Sharpy2010 mentions.

ahxcjb

John Lewis's credit card is run by HSBC, so don't expect (m)any issues.

InsideInsurance

As has been hinted at, many cards are provided by others (eg HSBC provide the JL card & M&S).

Look at the Which? recommended providers by customer service and JL is number one at 89%, M&S 5th at 78% and HSBC own branded dont even feature even though they are all actually HSBC in reality.

So, it can be that the affinity partners are paying a premium (or taking reduced commission) to get some form of preferential treatment from the provider for their customers. It can be they have dedicated teams for at least some of the major functions with joint training responsibility but almost certainly will have shared staff for other areas.

Of cause in addition to real differences you also have the placebo effect. JL and MS are known for good service. Your average customer just assume their credit cards will be from them and not a nasty bank like HSBC and so may well rate them higher simply because of the association rather than any actual real world difference.

Brand perception can be an amazingly powerful thing!

chanz4

Never had an issue with Tesco cc, I transfer online payment to them and is their within 2 hours

jason1231972

I've only had my Tesco CC a matter of weeks, and have a few minor issues. I don't know how long repayments take to clear, because I've not made one yet, but have noticed that it takes ages (several days longer than others) for full spending transaction details to show online.

Not a massive problem for me because I've kept receipts, etc., and the available balance is showing spot-on, but still inconvenient not knowing at a glance exactly where £xx was spent a week ago.

Their online banking system is also naff.

Saying that, these aren't issues I'd consider ditching a great rate and bonuses (Clubcard points) for!