Barclaycard retention team are hard work

andymc29

I phoned Barclaycard at the weekend to close my account. It's all paid off and I've decided I don't want it sitting around when I don't need it. Also, I've read that having available credit can count against you when you apply for a mortgage.

Anyway, they tried all sorts to get me to change my mind. First they said they were very surprised that I'd want to cancel and that using my card regulalry and paying it off helps my credit score and offers additional protection over using cash. then they offered me 6 month interest free on all purchases. then finally after I said no to that they offered me £40 in interest payments credited to my account for me to spend like cash. This last one was tempting but I stuck to my guns and said no thanks.

It started to annoy me by the end so I just said "Look, I understand you have a job to do, and your goal is to get me to keep my card, but I really don't want it and want you to just close it and not offer me anything else".

It looks like they've listened as my account looks dead online now. It just shocked me how hard they would try to keep me.

CLAPTON

using a credit card regularly and paying in full each month will improve/maintenance your credit rating and may marginally improve your chances of getting a mortgage

opinions4u

You just pished away £40. Why?

YorkshireBoy

andymc29 wrote: »

Also, I've read that having available credit can count against you when you apply for a mortgage.

In my experience mortgage lenders are more concerned with actual debt, rather than potential debt.

Indeed, having access to credit and not using it may actually have a positive effect in terms of credit scoring for mortgage lending.

As o4u has said though, you've just thrown £40 away! Others have reported being offered the same or similar retention deal. The wise ones will take it, spend it, and close the account the following month. After all, what's 30 days?

blitzboy

andymc29 wrote: »

I phoned Barclaycard at the weekend to close my account. It's all paid off and I've decided I don't want it sitting around when I don't need it. Also, I've read that having available credit can count against you when you apply for a mortgage.

Anyway, they tried all sorts to get me to change my mind. First they said they were very surprised that I'd want to cancel and that using my card regulalry and paying it off helps my credit score and offers additional protection over using cash. then they offered me 6 month interest free on all purchases. then finally after I said no to that they offered me £40 in interest payments credited to my account for me to spend like cash. This last one was tempting but I stuck to my guns and said no thanks.

It started to annoy me by the end so I just said "Look, I understand you have a job to do, and your goal is to get me to keep my card, but I really don't want it and want you to just close it and not offer me anything else".

It looks like they've listened as my account looks dead online now. It just shocked me how hard they would try to keep me.

Ummm, why didn't you take the free £40 and then close your card a bit later on?

andymc29

For those saying I should have taken the £40. It was the principle of it. I felt insulted that they would offer me cash to keep the card. I wanted the card closed and be able to get on with my life. So I know it was £40 but I'm trying to get a clean slate from debt and start saving. Credit cards don't play a role in that.

Hooloovoo

andymc29 wrote: »

Credit cards don't play a role in that.

They certainly do for me, given I get 3% cashback on all spending on my Aqua card, and 1% cashaback on all spending on my ex-Egg Barclaycard.

It's like a little discount on everything I need to buy.

If that's not saving money I don't know what is.

tomsco

You could have put the 40 quid towards your student loan

byjimini

I had the same thing. They offered me £40, but it was still less than I would save if they kept the interest rate the same, rather than raising it.

Eventually I lost my rag with the woman.

InsideInsurance

With Santander's cancellation it was all done by IVR, didnt even speak to anyone.

At the end of the day these are all fairly low paid call centre agents and having done their jobs before I have some sympathy for them. Personally would have taken the money and closed it again next month but each to their own.

blitzboy

andymc29 wrote: »

For those saying I should have taken the £40. It was the principle of it. I felt insulted that they would offer me cash to keep the card. I wanted the card closed and be able to get on with my life. So I know it was £40 but I'm trying to get a clean slate from debt and start saving. Credit cards don't play a role in that.

So that could have been £40 extra towards your savings, for no extra cost...:think: