Still Awaiting Virgin Money CC Decision

lineandsinker

Hi,

My Barclaycard interest free offer ran out last month so I thought I'd look around for a new card. After running the card checker tools on MSE, ClearScore and Noddle, a competitive interest free offer from Virgin Money appeared on all three, so I opted for the Virgin Money card and applied - I was supposedly 'pre approved' but I know that, in reality, this doesn't mean much.

I was advised in a confirmation email that I would receive a decision in 7-10 working days, yet I'm still waiting after nearly a month. I've heard nothing from Virgin Money, so decided to call them this morning when to chase my application. They were unable to give me any further information about the status of my application or approve the application and get the process moving. The chap on the phone told me it was a 'waiting game' and I just needed to sit tight and wait

Anyone else had a similar experience? I'm close to actually cancelling the application and looking elsewhere. This is the first time I've ever waited for a decision; the other cards I've had in the past have always given me an instant decision. It's a poor show from Virgin Money, in my opinion, and not a good reflection on their customer service. I wonder if it's a taste of things 'yet to come'?

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

No point in cancelling it, but do look elsewhere.

Candyapple

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5671571

Chrysalis

really you should have done this with at least 3 months to go before your existing offer ends.

lineandsinker

Thanks for your replies.

I'm not desperate to switch cards so it's not like time is of the essence, however, what does concern me is the fact that Virgin are taking so long to approve this application - when I contacted their team again this morning, I was told that it takes 7 to 10 days for their systems to update with each stage of the application, so i'd need to keep calling to find out what's going on. They weren't even able to confirm whether I had been credit checked yet.

I've been with a fair few CC providers and this seems like they have the most antiquated systems going, which concerns me, as, if I had problems with the card further down the line, what's to say that their customer service wouldn't continue to be this slow?

I'm tempted, at this stage, to cut my losses and apply elsewhere as this process hasn't filled me with confidence about how they run their business and customer services.

Doctor_Duke

lineandsinker wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.

I've been with a fair few CC providers and this seems like they have the most antiquated systems going, which concerns me, as, if I had problems with the card further down the line, what's to say that their customer service wouldn't continue to be this slow?

I'm tempted, at this stage, to cut my losses and apply elsewhere as this process hasn't filled me with confidence about how they run their business and customer services.

I can well understand the frustration but it sounds like it is with the underwriters and there is little you can do to speed it up. You may still be approved.

Nebulous2

They're actively seeking new business, have one of the best offers going and give generous limits. You're better to persevere.

The details have faded, but it took me a while to get approved as well. I was asking for a 5 figure money transfer though, which might have meant they wanted to check carefully.

Did you apply at the weekend? I'm sure when I was in your shoes and grumping about it someone told me you are better to apply within working hours.

lineandsinker

I applied on a Monday morning, so it was during working hours.

I decided to cut my losses and apply for an MBNA CC on the 30 month offer and was approved straight away so cancelled the Virgin application as the MBNA card was a better deal than Virgin anyway.

Lessons learned - won't be dealing with VM again! Thanks for all of your helpful replies!

MABLE

lineandsinker wrote: »

I applied on a Monday morning, so it was during working hours.

I decided to cut my losses and apply for an MBNA CC on the 30 month offer and was approved straight away so cancelled the Virgin application as the MBNA card was a better deal than Virgin anyway.

Lessons learned - won't be dealing with VM again! Thanks for all of your helpful replies!

I certainly would not have been so hasty until I had the MBNA card application decision confirmed in writing. So many would be customer pass the initial auto check just to be declined during further checks.

Hopefully this will not happen in your case but you still do not know the reason why VM application was being reviewed by the underwriters.