Barclaycard just gave me £20 to not close my account

Tyrone_Black

I just called Barclaycard to close my account down, already pretty annoyed because my direct debit somehow left a balance of 14p on there. That balance makes it impossible to close the account until it's paid.

Anyway, they waived the 14p then put £20 on my account in exchange for me not closing it. Absolutely shameless! I'm going to spend the £20 (and not a penny more!) on stocking up on toiletries etc to save me money over the next few months then close the account later in the week.

I'm surprised it's not illegal at this point to offer people cash incentives to retain credit accounts. A few years ago this would've worked on me. I'd have used the £20 to order pizza and gradually started spending on it again. Absolutely awful people! Thanks for the £20, though.

midnitegremlin

Tyrone_Black wrote: »

A few years ago this would've worked on me. I'd have used the £20 to order pizza and gradually started spending on it again. Absolutely awful people! Thanks for the £20, though.

To play devil's advocate here a bit. For sure, if they knew for a fact a person was eg a gambling addict, or someone who was not of sound mind to control their own spending, then yeah, maybe it's unethical to keep them as a customer with a little "incentive."

But assuming you are not in that position; Why is it awful? Credit Cards are not evil per se, they are not worse (or better) than many other forms of business. So what if they offer cash as a little incentive to keep you on?


Why should it be illegal? (This is assuming that you do not have a stated debt/addiction problem etc.)

ShiftThisDebt

Yep, they offered me £50, which I took because I had £48 left to pay so it just cleared my balance. 4 days later I called again to close the account and was offered another £20!!

I rejected it and am now in the process of closing the account down.

Tyrone_Black

Haha, maybe I'll make a few more quid then!

La_escocesa

Ooh, I've got two Barclaycards with zero balance... Maybe I'll call to 'close the account'

Lemonsqueezer78

They gave me £40 a few years back. I spent it - and cancelled anyway :beer:

Tyrone_Black

I received the statement credit and spent the lot on cleaning stuff, toiletries and long life food and drinks. Should help me over the next few months. Before starting in paying everything off I'd have spent it on pizza straight away!

matchboxfull

Think I'll phone and 'cancel' mine...