How hard is it to open a new barclays bank account rant!

devansuk

Opened a barclays bank account because i wanted to put use the 5% rainy day account

Opening it fine online got a email saying they had to check my ID in branch to complete my application. 

Went into my local branch. Sorry sir you'll have to gointo the city centre to pass the security check we don't do it here. 

Said I'm not going to drive into town just to show my ID so can you close my account in branch today. Said you will have go to the city centre branch to show ID to close account!

This is a brand new account which hasn't even been used! 

Just going to leave it until they decided it dormant and close it themselves. 

I've opened halifax, natwest, bank of scotland, first direct, royal bank of scotland, lloyds in the past and never had to go in branch! Now I can't even close it!

WillPS

I'm not sure why you're wanting to close an account which hasn't even been opened yet? Once opened you should be able to close your account in writing: https://www.barclays.co.uk/content/dam/documents/personal/current-accounts/BAR_9917601_1020_p1_Hi_Crop.pdf

You'll need to jump through whatever hoops they ask for you to open an account. You can of course simply refuse and not have an account.

devansuk

WillPS said:

I'm not sure why you're wanting to close an account which hasn't even been opened yet? Once opened you should be able to close your account in writing: https://www.barclays.co.uk/content/dam/documents/personal/current-accounts/BAR_9917601_1020_p1_Hi_Crop.pdf

You'll need to jump through whatever hoops they ask for you to open an account. You can of course simply refuse and not have an account.

The account is already open I've registered and have a sort code account number and also a barclaycard but I can't use any of them until I show my ID in branch which has to be a city center branch. I've already shredded the cards my telephone banking account it locked so the operator on the phone can get onto my account yet I can via online banking. 

[Deleted User]

You could just switch it into another account to get rid of it. I've done that before and it worked.

grumbler

devansuk said:
 Sorry sir you'll have to gointo the city centre to pass the security check we don't do it here. 

Ha-ha
They didn't tell you that you have to make an appointment in the city center branch couple of months in advance.
Barclays used to be good, but went down the toilet.

[Deleted User]

grumbler said:

devansuk said:
 Sorry sir you'll have to gointo the city centre to pass the security check we don't do it here. 

Ha-ha
They didn't tell you that you have to make an appointment in the city center branch couple of months in advance.
Barclays used to be good, but went down the toilet.

That's a fairy story is ever I heard one 

Rob5342

It never ceases to amaze me how a company that has been running for over 300 years can be so archaic and behind companies that are only a few years old.

There are some other options you might consider here:

https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cash-savings-beat-inflation/

Katiehound

Deleted_User said:

You could just switch it into another account to get rid of it. I've done that before and it worked.

ah, but now the debit card is shredded so that really isn't an option as you need the card number for a switch with CASS

WillPS

devansuk said:

WillPS said:

I'm not sure why you're wanting to close an account which hasn't even been opened yet? Once opened you should be able to close your account in writing: https://www.barclays.co.uk/content/dam/documents/personal/current-accounts/BAR_9917601_1020_p1_Hi_Crop.pdf

You'll need to jump through whatever hoops they ask for you to open an account. You can of course simply refuse and not have an account.

The account is already open I've registered and have a sort code account number and also a barclaycard but I can't use any of them until I show my ID in branch which has to be a city center branch. I've already shredded the cards my telephone banking account it locked so the operator on the phone can get onto my account yet I can via online banking. 

Just send that form in via the post, or write a letter with whichever details you have asking them in writing to close and respond to confirm.

Indout96

They are useless, tried to open their 4% ISA and was told we had to go in to main branch and needed an appointment. this was mid January and earlies appointment was late March.
Went with Shawbrook bank online, all sorted within 20 mins (but only 3.82%)
We had a Barclay card many years ago that was never used after the first interest free period, tried to cancel it several times and they would not close it, even sent a new card when that one ran out and eventually after about 7 years sent me a letter saying if we did not use it in next 12 months they would cancel it. I assume they did as its not on my credit reports.

Bridlington1

They make HSBC look wonderful. It's one thing trying to open a Barclays account, but if they decide that after all that hassle you've been through trying to open the account that they do not want you as a customer things get "fun".

Shortly after they launched the rainy day saver I tried to open a current account. As their app isn't compatible with my smartphone I had to ring them to book an appointment, which took place several weeks later (early November). Around 18 days after I opened the account they closed the account without warning and I had to visit a branch to reclaim the £5k I had put in the rainy day saver. When I got to the branch (Friday afternoon) I was told the counter closed 2 minutes ago and to come back on Monday. I returned to the branch on Monday and was told they could only give me the money in cash. After 30 minutes they finally managed to return the money by faster payment.

2 weeks later I checked my credit report and discovered that the Barclays account was showing as defaulted despite the fact that the account was in credit the entire time it was open. I contacted the credit reference agencies who told me to contact Barclays. I complained to Barclays who after 8 weeks said they never put a default on my credit report and to contact the credit reference agencies.  I then contacted the credit reference agencies again, this time armed with Barclays's final response letter who told me to contact Barclays again.

Needless to say Barclays is the one current account I wish I'd never opened.