Barclays Tax Beater Cash ISA - experiences so far (merged)

morg_monster

i think its really funny that this thread has as its icon - it started out good i guess with Suzey's first post but i doubt anyone's smiling about it now!

morg_monster

the 0800 number is 0800 282 390
It is a general complaints line rather than ISA specific. hope you get it sorted

ericpode

Just tried to phone the ISA line as I've had 3000 quid in my current account earning no interest for the last almost 4 weeks.

Of course the announcement just tells you they are too busy to talk to you, goodbye - which infuriated me.

So I called the 0800 complaints number which was answered quite quickly. He said the usual about being inundated with applications and that they were currently working through applications dated 10th April. Mine must have been just a few days later. Mind you, he did give me that date after I gave mine!

He also assured me that the interest would be back dated to when the account was opened and that customers would not lose interest. That's good to know (if it's true).

But I'm not impressed so far.

del_trotter

Woodyrocks wrote: »

It says it was opened on the 5th of April, can some please confirm that they haven't fuc** up as it is meant to be for 2006/2007 opening. And also can someone provide the 0800 number for the ISA enquiries. Mucho Gracias

Just looked into this as my letter has the same date. The new tax starts on 6th April so 5th would mean that it is the previous tax year.

gelato_cat

LOL! Yeah, I was all happy about the new tax year and, ironically, it seems that my account "was one of a small batch of 500 which was closed in error". Oh well, saved me having to close it myself

I've changed the icon to something a bit more appropriate now

Suze

morg_monster wrote: »

i think its really funny that this thread has as its icon - it started out good i guess with Suzey's first post but i doubt anyone's smiling about it now!

LankyMoneySaver

morg_monster wrote: »

...a nice man called Ian Lee took my details ...

I wonder if thats the same Ian Lee off of the 11 o'clock show a few years back. If so his career must have really taken a turn the the worse lately

seagles_2

Yippee got ny account setails today and welcome pack. Which included some forms and an envelope.
1. Envelope freepost to Leicester.
2. Change of address form.
3. Pay in slip (1).
4. Regular standing order form.

The web-site says you can manage your ISA on-line or in branch. Went to site but you need to have a current account to manage on-line. Went to branch and all they can do is accept a "cheque" (no cash allowed), they will then complete a paying in slip and send it in the post to the ISA department (do not see much managing by ISA in Branch). Tried to call the help desk but the system hang up as they are so busy taking calls that they ask you to call back (no call queuing). Eventually tried a different tack and pushed the buttons to pay-in some money. Asked if I could use the details on the form to do a Standing Order from my NatWet account to Barclays as a 1 off, was informed that they only accept Standing orders from Barclays account, she could not explain why there was a standing order form in pack that showed that you could do it from any account? Also the address she gave me for sending in cheque was different from the envelope in pack, again she did not know why the envelope was different.
What a waste of time, so it appears that unless you have a Barclays current account the only method to pay in more money is by cheque, either through the post (there was only 1 paying in slip in pack) or in branch.
I was amazed at how bad this set-up is after having managed ISA's online since year dot....... My last question which I will have to go back and ask the branch (when I have cooled down), is can the branch actually get me an ISA statement, rahter than wait 6 months for one to appear?
:mad:

cs27

In response to the above post why not take a look at this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=417639 as many people are having different experiences when trying to manage the ISA in branch. Some people find that they can pay in cash/cheques (this seems to be more likely to succeed if you dont use the word ISA but just fill in a paying in slip with the account details), others like myself have had nothing but NO's in branch and this includes making an instant transfer with a personal banker from a Barclays current account. Apparently this can only be done centrally with the ISA Savings Line over the phone. Yesterday, my Sister had the same experience trying to transfer money in a different branch.

As for managing online, you can only view the account balance and recent transactions online, but cannot transfer money or set up a standing order even from a Barclays current account!!!

No wonder the ISA Savings Line is so busy!!!

Hope this helps, although I'm not sure how.

Pound

Finally got my welcome pack today and the £3K cheque has been cashed. Barclays have confirmed it has been treated as being paid in in the 06/07 tax year. Money has been sitting in my current account, which part of will have been earning me interest so I've been earning interest on my money twice.
:beer:

mau408

I've read many problems in this thread with this barclays ISA but given the timeline of me going into a branch to open the account on 7th April and it now being the 10th May without confirmation that the account has been opened does no one seem think that this is not just a SLIGHT delay but a VERY LONG one! I TOTALLY congratulate all those with high interest accounts like myself earning a lot of interest on the sitting money that is supposed to have be processed by Barclays.

As one of the people that have attempted to open the ISA I can only foresee a knock on effect in the next year when everyone will surge for the transfer of their Barclays Cash ISA elsewhere. Should we be putting our applications for transfer at least a month beforehand????? But then again I guess we might miss out on that all important 1% bonus!!!! ARGH BARCLAYS! Never again!

I've finished my moan!