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

GreyPilgrim

GreyPilgrim wrote: »

Well the adviser I've just spoken to was about as useful as tits on a fish. Actually, can I sue Barclays under the trade descriptions act for giving him the job title "Adviser"...that would imply "Advice", wouldn't it?

"I'm sorry, our ISA department have only just finished opening the envelopes for the last tax year, and have only just started opening the envelopes for the current tax year. If you try again next friday, youre account should be open by then"

Confidence. I'm full of it, honestly.

Well, it's a week and a bit since I spoke to the advisor (today is the day that the 'advisor' said the account will be open). It's now about six weeks since I sent my application in and the money still hasn't gone from my nominated account.

Am bristling with excitement at the thought of the next two hours trying to get through to another 'advisor'.

GreyPilgrim

Well there's a surprise. The lines are busy 'due to the popularity of the product'. Can't even sit in a queue.

I even sent an email over a week ago via the site, but has it been answered?

No.

GreyPilgrim

"we're streamlining the process to make the applications must faster. Can you phone back next friday?"

for !!!!s sake

BillytheFish_2

jem16 wrote: »

When exactly in April was it opened? Was it 5th April or before, therefore last year's (06/07) ISA?

Yes, it was before the April the 5th deadline so should be in the 06/07 allowance.

jem16 wrote: »

If you already have an 06/07 Barclays ISA you do not need to open another one with them for this year. You just add to it for this year.

Oh, that's good news then! Does that mean that I won't have to worry about the deadline at the end of the month?

jem16 wrote: »

Just remember that if you do open a new ISA or fund an ISA(add to last year's) this year you cannot open another ISA with another provider even if you only put £1 in as you suggest.

Ok, that clears up all the ISA questions I had so thank you for such a helpful reply!

Does anyone expect ISAs to rise substantially enough to justify the wait for a better rate than the Tax-Beater one or should I just go ahead at fill up the ISA now (I have about £1000 to add and will -hopefully- add the rest in March next year).

jem16

BillytheFish wrote: »

Oh, that's good news then! Does that mean that I won't have to worry about the deadline at the end of the month?

It doesn't matter to you as you are adding to an existing ISA.

Does anyone expect ISAs to rise substantially enough to justify the wait for a better rate than the Tax-Beater one or should I just go ahead at fill up the ISA now (I have about £1000 to add and will -hopefully- add the rest in March next year).

The others will have to rise by about 5% to get there. It may well be possible but it won't happen right away. Meanwhile you are losing interest by not adding the £1000.

Indispensable_Hobbes

Got confirmation of my account being opened today.

bristolleedsfan

jenyking wrote: »

Got confirmation of my account being opened today.

i know from experience its both like a relief and cause for celebration :beer:

Bardolph

jenyking wrote: »

Got confirmation of my account being opened today.

I have had experiences very similar to your posters but like jenyking got an a/c confirmation letter yesterday. I urge her, and all others who have received a confirmatory letter, to check the 'a/c opened' date. I took my cheque into the branch on 10 April, letter said a/c opened 8 May! I rang them (using 0151 254 6144 rather than the more expensive 0845 number). A helpful guy said the letter was mistaken and I'd get confirmation that interest was to be paid from 10 April by letter within 28 days.
The cycnic in me says this MAY be a try-on, and that Barclays could intend only to revise the date from which interest is paid if the ISA customer contacts them!
Bardolph

Cemetery

Bardolph wrote: »

I have had experiences very similar to your posters but like jenyking got an a/c confirmation letter yesterday. I urge her, and all others who have received a confirmatory letter, to check the 'a/c opened' date. I took my cheque into the branch on 10 April, letter said a/c opened 8 May! I rang them (using 0151 254 6144 rather than the more expensive 0845 number). A helpful guy said the letter was mistaken and I'd get confirmation that interest was to be paid from 10 April by letter within 28 days.
The cycnic in me says this MAY be a try-on, and that Barclays could intend only to revise the date from which interest is paid if the ISA customer contacts them!
Bardolph

I am going to wait until the interest has been credited before calling them...6 days to go.

even_steven

My welcome letter (received today) says a/c opened 14th May, and I handed my forms & deposit in on 18th April. :rolleyes:

They wouldn't give me a proper receipt as I didn't have an account number yet, having not opened an account, but I did get the guy who took my cheque to write a letter confirming the date and amount received. I've sent an email via the online form to let them know about the discrepancy in dates. 14th May seems to be when they cashed my cheque, so hopefully they will also have a record of when they received it.

[edit] Just received an automated response:

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately for security reasons we cannot complete your request, as we are unable to take instructions for this type of request via email.

Please note that you can complete this type of request in the following way, by:

- visiting any Branch
- using Barclays Telephone Banking (if not registered please call 08457 555 555 ), if calling from overseas dial +44 24 7684 2100
- placing it in the post to, Barclays Bank PLC, Leicester, LE87 2BB.

Since I doubt anyone has actually read my email yet, how do they know they can't answer it? :huh: