Help me please I'm fuming

Don-lou34

Hi all,
Sorry if what I'm about to waffle about has already been written but I'd like some advice please.
Bit of background.....Had a joint acc with ex husband- who went on to basically screw me over when we split, not paying towards the house, the bills etc.. and I ended up with bad credit. Nothing drastic NO CCJ's or bankrupty just defaults while I tried (and failed) to catch up.
Anyway I got a different acc which I later closed due to the fact I left the UK and had no need for it.
I have returned recently and want to open a new account, I know the defaults are still on my credit file as I was refused a mobile phone contract. So decided that I would open the basic Barclays cash card account, I have used my partners barclays acc for a while and eventually we want a joint one so thought it would be easier to go with them.
Anyway, I will stop waffling, I promise
I went into the local Barclays, explained what I wanted, specifically asked for the cash card account after the manager mentioned another account, which I knew I would be credit checked for and then refused....he didn't seem too pleased I wanted this kind of account but anyway he started asking what I wanted it for, was I unemployed. I explained that I have been claiming JSA for 4 weeks but while I'm not technically employed at the moment I have had the offer of 2 jobs which I have to choose one of them.

His attitude stank to be honest and I didn't feel the need to explain to him that my wages will be £18,000 PA for both jobs, also that I do want some kind of savings account in the near future and that myself and my partner would need a small mortgage to finish the family home off, in which we both live, within the next 3-5 years.

He said "I will pass this to the manager and someone will be in touch today or tomorrow" that was 4 days ago and I'm absolutely fuming no one has called back. I know I'm obviously not deemed as a good enough customer with what I told him but I thought these accounts were for everyone. I'm not asking for a ten grand overdraft nor an 18 carat gold debit card, for christ sake I just want a bank account.
Is there any law/rules that I can quote when I go back on monday? maybe from the FSA or similar. I really want to take this further. I know I'm going to get "oh we're very sorry your form must have been misplaced"
I'm sick of being treat like a second class citizen because I got behind with some payments.

Thanks if you got this far.

Macca83_2

Quote the 'Im really annoyed that you haven't got back to me because all i want is a cash account' law.

No there's no rules or laws that you can quote to them. Don't get wound up about it. Just vote with your feet and take your business somewhere where it'll be appreciated. Do you really want to stick with somewhere that won't call you back?

OutofDebt-NOT-OutofDanger

As above vote with your feet. I've found that Barclays customer service is bad at the best of times!

Co-op, HSBC, Nationwide all offer basic non credit check accounts (there are probably others but not sure who else offers them).

noh

OutofDebt-NOT-OutofDanger wrote: »

As above vote with your feet. I've found that Barclays customer service is bad at the best of times!

Co-op, HSBC, Nationwide all offer basic non credit check accounts (there are probably others but not sure who else offers them).

Halifax too.
I would suggest applying online to save any problems with lost forms or the wrong account being applied for.

Sparx

Yes, go with Halifax or Co-op - and apply online!!

Don-lou34

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I didn't know I could apply online for a basic account, nor that so many banks offered them. I'd read on here the best 2 were Barclays and co-op.
Going to have a look later, I need one asap due to starting work in a few weeks.
Thanks again x

pinkdalek

Go elsewhere.

Halifax was mentioned, they offer the Easycash, a basic account with debit card and they do offer decent rates on savings too.

Plus once you are back in employment and having your wages paid in etc you'll probably be eligible to upgrade if you wanted.

Don-lou34

Another question....
Which other banks are associated with Lloyds tsb and Yorkshire bank as it's both of them I've had previous problems with. Yorkshire is sorted but I'm still paying back Lloyds.

I'm thinking of going with Co-op but unsure if they're related with Lloyds.

alanq

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/consumerinformation/uk_groups/index.shtml

Don-lou34 wrote: »

I'm thinking of going with Co-op but unsure if they're related with Lloyds.

They're not. Co-op is taking over some LloydsTSB branches but that's all.

Don-lou34

Thanks I'm going to try them.

mgdavid

Don-lou34 wrote: »

............
His attitude stank to be honest and I didn't feel the need to explain to him that my wages will be £18,000 PA for both jobs, also that I do want some kind of savings account in the near future and that myself and my partner would need a small mortgage to finish the family home off, in which we both live, within the next 3-5 years.
.............

your attitude is questionable too, all the bank have is past factual evidence (of the defaults) so if you don't 'sell them' the future, what do you expect?