First Direct Balance issues

SamA19

I recently switched my bank account from Barclays to First Direct. Whilst I agree their customer service is fantastic, the length of time it takes to see a true reflection of what is in your account is DIRE! I understand you can look at available balance but as the figure still did not look correct I called them only to find they had no record of 3 transactions I had made over the weekend as it hadn't been "called yet" from the other party. This in effect means when you check your available balance it is not necessarily what you have available. The agent I spoke to said this was normal and until the other party have called the payment it won't show. He said the bigger companies - Tesco, Asda, Next would show payments quicker but this is not the case. I never ever had this issue with Barclays, whenever I used my debit card it showed straight away on the app. I am now considering moving banks again but would like to know if anyone has had this experience with other banks apart from first Direct so I can avoid them. Failing finding another bank with a decent current account I will just go back to Barclays as I would like an account that can show me exactly what I have spent. Granted I always have an idea of what has been spent it's easy to forget the £5 here and there and taking over 3 days to show on your balance is ridiculous (it's still not showing). Thanks in advance for any help

grumbler

SamA19 wrote: »

This in effect means when you check your available balance it is not necessarily what you have available.

This is the case for all 'offline' debit cards that don't require online authorisation of each transaction.
'Online' cards usually come with basic accounts only and are accepted less universally. And, AFAIK, even for 'online' cards, some contactless payments can be accepted without authorisation.

Shakin_Steve

As people keep saying on here and, no doubt, will have to say again and again......it's up to you to know how much money you've spent and how much you have left...not the bank.

TheShape

I've got 7 payments on a TSB Credit Card between Friday and Sunday that don't show on my account yet. It is quite normal for payments by credit or debit card to take a number of days to appear.

Am I right in thinking a payment could potentially be called for up to 6 months after the purchase date?

grumbler

Yes, you are right.

SamA19

I have never heard of "offline" or "online" cards, but with my Barclays account (debit card was accepted everywhere) this was not the case and transactions were shown almost immediately.

In response to shakin Steven, I disagree- a bank should be able to tell me exactly what is in my account - I think in this day and age it's not a big ask and especially considering some banks (Barclays) are able to do this on their app.

colin79666

SamA19 wrote: »

In response to shakin Steven, I disagree- a bank should be able to tell me exactly what is in my account - I think in this day and age it's not a big ask and especially considering some banks (Barclays) are able to do this on their app.

I think you missed the point. It still is in your account, the transfer to the shop/merchant hasn't happened yet. You can view pending transactions in the mobile app.

No_6

This is why F-D has always been voted
the number ONE on this site.

badger09

SamA19 wrote: »

I have never heard of "offline" or "online" cards, but with my Barclays account (debit card was accepted everywhere) this was not the case and transactions were shown almost immediately.

In response to shakin Steven, I disagree- a bank should be able to tell me exactly what is in my account - I think in this day and age it's not a big ask and especially considering some banks (Barclays) are able to do this on their app.

A bank does know exactly what is in your account, as should you.

However, a bank does not have a crystal ball or psychic powers, so how can it know what you have just spent/paid for, if the retailer/service provider hasn't yet processed your payment?:cool:

grumbler

SamA19 wrote: »

...I disagree- a bank should be able to tell me exactly what is in my account - I think in this day and age it's not a big ask

Well, you can keep disagreeing, but facing the reality and adjusting your attitude accordingly is a much wiser way of acting.

and especially considering some banks (Barclays) are able to do this on their app.

No, they aren't, and you just were lucky so far. The fact remains that in practice not all transactions are processed/authorised instantly by merchants, and some can take up to 6 month to get processed.

SamA19

Well I was certainly lucky with Barclays for a long time then.

Also - I have nothing showing in pending payments.
Perhaps someone can explain why I have made payments via PayPal (over 6 days ago) and the merchant has confirmed they have received the funds and they are still not showing. Having called First Direct they advised that they cannot see the payments and I should contact PayPal?