Balance transfers - don't get caught out by the small print

PhilTh_2

Trying to save a few quid I took out the Barclays 0% deal, got accepted, received the card, set up a direct debit - or so I thought - and paid the first statement by cheque.

Turns out it takes Barclaycard 8 weeks to set up the direct debt (not my experience from any other accounts) so I 'missed' a payment and Barclays have now withdrawn the promotional rate from me on the grounds of the 'missed' payment they didn't take. Called customer services and get told this is irreversible.

As far as I'm concerned this is sharp practice designed to catch us out, too late for me, they wouldn't budge so I'm closing the account.

Conclusion: I agree I could've read the teeny tiny print, but they equally could've attempted to find agreement/compromise with a prospectively profitable new customer rather than using any excuse to wriggle out of the promotional offer. My only revenge is to tell everyone I know how shoddily Barclays treat customers and hopefully you won't gt caught out and I'll lose them as much business as possible.

Has ayone else been caught out (or found a way round Call Centre Couldn't Care Syndrome)?

RTNI

Have you lodged a complaint with Barclaycard about it?

If it is passed to complaints dept they may look kindly on it, then again, they may not.

mrbigd

As far as I'm concerned you should have checked yourself whether the Direct Debit was set up in time for your payment.

Nothing to do with T&C's but everything to do with keeping an eye on things yourself.

Sorry but you've only got yourself to blame.

PhilTh_2

bigd, I just checked and acording to my acount a dd has been set up, can't check when though. I actually think of myself as a fair person and that's why I agreed I should have checked more thoroughly, I think my disappointment is at how one way the agreement has proved to be.

In my business, if a client made an honest mistake and it was dubious as to how well matters had been explained I'd either attempt to find way through it or compromise rather than penalise immediately - I consider it good business practice and ethical, but I guess there's no room for that anymore

sicker

Phil it could be worth while to phone again and ask for a manager to look into your complaint / enquiry. I do believe they have the ability to re-install your promotional offer. It must be worth a phone call.

John

coolpaprika

I agree with Sicker, why waste a perfectly good 0% deal? Keep going

PhilTh_2

Thanks, I did ask to get passed up the line and 'Ryan' just said they'd close the account and confirm by post. We'll see what happens

thumshie

The DD might have been set up with 5 weeks. The issue is that if it got set up the day after the statement is generated, they will not use the DD to collect. They have to tell you in writing how much they'll take, which is why they say on the statement 'we will collect £xx from your nominated bank account on y of month z'

Did your second statement say the above??

PhilTh_2

According to BC, the DD was set up on the 25th June, after the June/July statement, so it still shows postal/at a bank payment details the July/Aug shows the dd will be taken, but it's too late.

It's still the inflexibility and quickness to withdraw the deal without any willingness to compromise that gets me. It's been years since I've applied for a new card with Barclays and I guess I'd forgotten just how bad they are.

exel1966

The responsibility is YOURS and yours alone to ensure you pay on time. All c/card companies do warn you when making BT's/setting up DD's that you should continue to manually pay until you have received confirmation in writing that it is up and running.

Did you not think to call them and enquire as to whether it had been set up or not when you heard nothing after a few weeks ?

They're a business, not a charity so why should they reverse their decision ? Fortunatley you do have a choice and have made that choice by voting with your feet. Next time though, just be more careful.

johnllew

mrbigd wrote: »

As far as I'm concerned you should have checked yourself whether the Direct Debit was set up in time for your payment.

Nothing to do with T&C's but everything to do with keeping an eye on things yourself.

Sorry but you've only got yourself to blame.

I agree. Never take anything for granted in this game - it's too expensive when thngs go wrong.