Barclaycard...aaargh!

emma_moore

Having approached the end of my 0% period with Mint I wanted to transfer again and Barclaycard seemed to be recommended. I applied online but found it odd that they don't (like they used to) confirm the credit limit you have been given at the end of your application or in writing prior to issuing the card. The next thing I get is an agreement to sign through the post, but again no credit limit notification.
The following week (getting perilously close to the expiration of my 0% period I get the card along with my credit limit. Now I know Barclaycard is notoriously stingy but this was a ridiculous offer and didn't nearly cover the amount I needed to transfer. So I rang them up, closed the account, complained about the wasted time and cut up the card.
Having shopped around again with the various cards I applied to another (Virgin) online and when it came to the notification of existing debt I needed to ring Mint to find the exact amount to fine that Barclaycard HAD gone ahead and transfered the amount they had awarded me anyway!!!!!
I now have to call Mint to ask them to balance transfer back from Barclaycard and in the meantime my 0% period has expired so I'm going to get charged for it and if I want to request another balance transfer I've got to wait until my Mint card has been re-debited!!!

N9eav

A work colleague of mine on a higher salary applied for the 14 month deal and got a £300 credit limit! I however got a £3000 limit and duly transfered all my debts on to that card... Seems to be no rhyme or reason?

Debt_Free_Chick

I think Barclaycard are more rigorous in vetting applications. Many other companies have a computer vetting system, which filters out borderline applications for scrutiny by a human. Barclaycard, I believe, vet them all using real people.

They also, I believe, pay close attention to the credit you already have available - not just the debt the already owe.

So if you had 10 cards with nothing owed on them, you would have a lot of available credit and Barclaycard would probably offer you a modest credit limit.

With fewer cards all with modest limits, you might elicit more from BCard.

Rafter

Sounds like Barclaycard are the smart ones here.

They probably spotted your Mint card and realised that you were about to take them for a ride for the next 14 months.

Probably need to find a more gullible bank or be less obvious next time?

scheming_gypsy

i did the same having both Mint and MBNA cards and wanting to transfer and Barclays gave me £5,500 - my highest limit, so doubt they're onto who's moving about

aligirl

Here I was about to write about Barclaycard and you've already done it!!

I had the same problem; they entice you by 0% but don't tell you the credit limit until you've agreed to everything and advised any transfers you want.

I did this, then they gave me the lowest credit limit I've ever had, transfered a balance up to that limit, and also charged £25 transfer fee. I didn't see any transfer fee listed - expect its somewhere but i'm pretty good at reading the small print.

So I have a balance transferred of £1250, and a £25 transfer fee - works out at 2% of the balance. Obviously would not have bothered if they'd actually told me the limit or I'd seen the transfer fee beforehand.

Be careful!!