Barclaycard interest surprise charge

Patydifusa

Hi guys,
I've just made the most surrealistic phone call to Barclaycard Customer Services (somewhere in India) because I noticed that my credit card which has a balance transfer offer up to January 2014 has been charged some interest.
Firstly, the customer service adviser went through the security questions and read his whole script to me, and then finally I got to explain why I was calling.
According to him, I made some purchases (which I did) and went over my credit limit, I paid back all those purchases back so my card was again only containing the balance transfer money in it.
Well, apparently because I went over the credit limit, their system resets my account and removes the offer of the interest free balance trasnfer. I was shocked to hear this and worst of all if I didn't pay attention to my statement I probably wouldn't have noticed at all...!!
Anyway, he agreed to refund me the £12 for late payment I was charged (didn't ask for it) but my question was If I was going to get charge the £50 interest that the statement was showing.
He then promised me another credit for £50 covering this interest, but to be honest it has not been reflected online yet (it was only a couple of hours ago) and I felt like taking all my money our of barclays because I found it extremely unethical practise that their system resets so they can charge you interest when they shouldn't.
Anyway, have any of you had a similar experience?
I wanted to share this also to make people aware!
Pat

[Deleted User]

Patydifusa wrote: »

I found it extremely unethical practise that their system resets so they can charge you interest when they shouldn't.

Unfortunately, what they've done is apply the terms and conditions that you read and signed up to. It's also common across all card providers.

You've been very lucky getting a refund of the charge and interest, but what you need to establish is whether they will put you back on the BT offer. You may need to phone and grovel a bit to get this.

Patydifusa

Well, that's what I said to the advisor, I don't remember signing anywhere this, I had the car for a year an half never went over my credit limit. He has reassured me that the BT offer has been reset so it should be ok, I will keep an eye! thanks

meer53

Did you miss this bit in the t & c's ?

If you do not make at least the minimum payment by the payment due date, or you exceed your credit limit at any time we will remove any promotional rate on your balance transfer and charge you interest at your standard rate instead.

ic

Golden rule of balance transfer cards: don't use them for purchases.

chattychappy

ic wrote: »

Golden rule of balance transfer cards: don't use them for purchases.

Not a golden rule at all. Sometimes it can be worthwhile because of the way the positive payment hierarchy works. Depends on circumstances.

The golden rule is read the T+Cs, understand them, and stick to them.