Barclaycard - Vent

BACKTOBACK

Okay so i just had a big argument with an automated bott !!

Damn Barclaycard, tried to call for something simple, old card expiring soon and had not yet received the replacement.

On the phone when asked if i had the app installed i was told to use that for online chat and then hung up on. So on the app i tried in so many ways to explain the situation or speak to a live person. After being asked so many automated questions like have i lost my card? Would i like to cancel a card etc..?

I finally gave up and said, 'im bored now, close the account'

Instantly a real person joined the chat, i was too mad to engage so left!

Why cant companies just have a decent level of customer service?

They have not closed the account (so far) and the new card did arrive just afterwards. Not really too bothered if they close it or not now.

Barclays just seem to be closing branches, when branches are open you are told to use the machines which i hate. Maybe i am just old school

cymruchris

So you managed to get yourself into a lather over the fact that the new card hadn't arrived, even though the old one hadn't expired yet.

These days most of the processes of replacing a card are automated - so might have been easier on your stress levels to wait a bit longer before contacting them. I imagine your card expires 09/21 - so if it's already arrived - then that's well within normal timeframes.

If not received before 1 week prior to expiry, that's likely when I would have contacted them, which still would give sufficient time to print a new card had the replacement been lost.

I also find the easiest way to contact Barclaycard to get a human response is via their secure message system in a web browser. You type out everything you want to say - and usually within 24 hours you get a detailed response. That might be an easier option for the future if you're still with them.

We are moving towards auto bots for many more things as technology improves - I agree they are far from perfect - and incredibly frustrating at times, but knowing all the available options in terms of communication can usually help get you to the right place more quickly. 

Ectophile

I don't see why people should have to put up with chatbots that don't work, or sending a message and hoping that someone will reply in a day or so.

All too often these days, customer service is a race to the bottom.  Companies would rather lose a few customers than spend any money at all on customer service.

Laz123

cymruchris said:

So you managed to get yourself into a lather over the fact that the new card hadn't arrived, even though the old one hadn't expired yet.

These days most of the processes of replacing a card are automated - so might have been easier on your stress levels to wait a bit longer before contacting them. I imagine your card expires 09/21 - so if it's already arrived - then that's well within normal timeframes.

If not received before 1 week prior to expiry, that's likely when I would have contacted them, which still would give sufficient time to print a new card had the replacement been lost.

I also find the easiest way to contact Barclaycard to get a human response is via their secure message system in a web browser. You type out everything you want to say - and usually within 24 hours you get a detailed response. That might be an easier option for the future if you're still with them.

We are moving towards auto bots for many more things as technology improves - I agree they are far from perfect - and incredibly frustrating at times, but knowing all the available options in terms of communication can usually help get you to the right place more quickly. 

I usually use the secure message option but sometimes it apologises and tells me it isn't operating.

The level of customer service with lots of companies is decreasing due to the pandemic.