Barclays do they want customers?

mab3000

alibean121 said:

I was asked to make a branch appointment when I first applied, tried to book one and there was nothing bookable locally for several months so decided to just leave it. Applied again a few weeks ago and it just went through. I swear there was no different details provided - I never have issues being electronically verified usually. No idea why you couldn't just pop into branch to have ID checked, sounds like a 2 minute job, not something that needs an appointment.

This was one of the many gripes I had whilst working for Barclays, this process of having ID checked in branch after applying online. It’s not quite a 2 minute job and it’s something only certain members of staff can do. If I was in the banking hall I would try and do it there and then, for a more efficient member of staff like I was I could get it all done in under 10 mins. For most other staff the process would take about 15-20 mins, hence why they do appointments for it. 

But I found it ridiculous that they couldn’t offer appointments until 2-3 months after. The root cause of all this is that in an average branch now, probably about 80% of the staff are taking inbound phone calls now, leaving the other 20% to deal with customers coming into the branch, whereas before Covid branch staff just dealt with people coming into the branch. 

EarthBoy

mab3000 said:

alibean121 said:

I was asked to make a branch appointment when I first applied, tried to book one and there was nothing bookable locally for several months so decided to just leave it. Applied again a few weeks ago and it just went through. I swear there was no different details provided - I never have issues being electronically verified usually. No idea why you couldn't just pop into branch to have ID checked, sounds like a 2 minute job, not something that needs an appointment.

This was one of the many gripes I had whilst working for Barclays, this process of having ID checked in branch after applying online. It’s not quite a 2 minute job and it’s something only certain members of staff can do. If I was in the banking hall I would try and do it there and then, for a more efficient member of staff like I was I could get it all done in under 10 mins. For most other staff the process would take about 15-20 mins, hence why they do appointments for it. 

When I first applied for a Lloyds account I had to go into a branch with my ID. The lady used a tablet to take a photo of my passport. It took her all of 30 seconds, and that was it, the account was open.  Including the time waiting in the queue, I can't have been in the branch more than four minutes. 

Band7

Deleted_User said:

Band7 said:

33q said:

I have had a Barclays account for some years but stopped using it as the need for it stopped. I tried to use it as a 'switcher' but was unable to proceed as the debit card was out of date. Thought it would be easy to request of Barclays a new card. Big No. Despite me having opened in branch they insisted I had to go into branch again to confirm or reconfirm my identity. I have sent in a complaint but heard nothing for weeks. I need to chase it.

I would consider keeping it, and turning it into a Reward account as that would give you access to the 5% Rainy Day Saver.

Create a donor/burner account for switching at another bank, e.g. Metro or Monzo

It's not that simple. You need to sign up to Blue Rewards and then jump through a few hoops or there is £5 sting in the tale if you make a mistake. 

I know how a Blue Rewards works. I have held one for most of the last 4 years. Difficult to make a mistake with it, though I grant, not impossible.

mab3000

EarthBoy said:

mab3000 said:

alibean121 said:

I was asked to make a branch appointment when I first applied, tried to book one and there was nothing bookable locally for several months so decided to just leave it. Applied again a few weeks ago and it just went through. I swear there was no different details provided - I never have issues being electronically verified usually. No idea why you couldn't just pop into branch to have ID checked, sounds like a 2 minute job, not something that needs an appointment.

This was one of the many gripes I had whilst working for Barclays, this process of having ID checked in branch after applying online. It’s not quite a 2 minute job and it’s something only certain members of staff can do. If I was in the banking hall I would try and do it there and then, for a more efficient member of staff like I was I could get it all done in under 10 mins. For most other staff the process would take about 15-20 mins, hence why they do appointments for it. 

When I first applied for a Lloyds account I had to go into a branch with my ID. The lady used a tablet to take a photo of my passport. It took her all of 30 seconds, and that was it, the account was open.  Including the time waiting in the queue, I can't have been in the branch more than four minutes. 

Just shows how rubbish Barclays are 

soulsaver

Early this morning Barclays processed a single SO for £800 twice on my account - timed exactly the same - making me £700 overdrawn.

There is only one SO paying out once p.m. on the account.

Weirdly, only one lot of £800 arrived in the target ac., otherwise I'd just return it. 

MisterMotivated

I had issues opening a Barclays current account recently as well.  I applied via the app, and got the same "unable to verify identity" message, though I've successfully opened accounts with most other banks with no issue.  I also tried via the website and got a message saying they would need to check something...  I was going into town the next day anyway, so popped into the branch and was told by a lady that she would have to call me to make an appointment as there was nobody in branch that day who could check ID.  I got no call back, and was just going to leave it (only wanted it for the Rainy Day Saver).  A few days later I got a text to say my debit card was on its way.  The account has now been set up and have luckily had no further issues with it (except having to get my old app profile wiped so I could re-register).

phillw

mab3000 said:
But I found it ridiculous that they couldn’t offer appointments until 2-3 months after. The root cause of all this is that in an average branch now, probably about 80% of the staff are taking inbound phone calls now, leaving the other 20% to deal with customers coming into the branch, whereas before Covid branch staff just dealt with people coming into the branch. 

This was something I found weird in my recent santander customer service call, it was answered by a branch in another part of the country. It sounds like someone decided that their branch staff weren't working hard enough.

phillw

Deleted_User said:
You need to sign up to Blue Rewards and then jump through a few hoops or there is £5 sting in the tale if you make a mistake.  

Pay in £800 and fire off two direct debits a month. It depends on how you value your time every month (I probably spend an hour a month in total).

In answer to the original question, Barclays want customers they can easily verify the identification of. If they can't then they'll assume you are committing fraud unless you put effort in to prove otherwise.

flaneurs_lobster

phillw said:

In answer to the original question, Barclays want customers they can easily verify the identification of. If they can't then they'll assume you are committing fraud unless you put effort in to prove otherwise.

No doubt if you are a mortgage-free homeowner who has lived at their address for the last ten years then you are going to have an easier time getting signed up than a 19 y-o student moving address every six months.

The former are easy to verify, I doubt that they consider everyone else is "committing fraud", they just have to provide information that isn't available from the usual sources.

phillw

flaneurs_lobster said:
I doubt that they consider everyone else is "committing fraud", they just have to provide information that isn't available from the usual sources.

Know your customer checks are required to prove that you are who you say you are, the presumption is you are not who you say you are until proven otherwise.

If they can easily prove it without you doing anything they will, if they can't then you have to go through hassle and they aren't so desperate for customers they will make it easy for you.

So far they've refused to give me an overdraft because I wouldn't go into the branch, I opened this account during covid and so I declined.