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Is the barclays ISA a unicorn?

Laurathebean
Posts: 14 Forumite


I have tried for 3 days to open a barclays 4% ISA. The process is impossible - you can’t open online, so i called to book an appointment. You can’t book an appointment until you download their app and verify yourself. I did that and then the app directed me to the phone number to book an appointment. I called (and after a massively annoying IVR) i spoke to an advisor who despite best efforts was unable to book an appointment and advised me to pop into a branch…
Has anybody managed to open this ISA? Should I give up and go elsewhere? It’s no wonder Barclays are investing in digital skills, you need a bloody phd to access their services!
Has anybody managed to open this ISA? Should I give up and go elsewhere? It’s no wonder Barclays are investing in digital skills, you need a bloody phd to access their services!
:j 2012 Money Saving Mission :j
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Overpay Mortgage 0/£5,000
Comp wins 0/12
Thanks to all who contribute!!
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Comments
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is the barclays ISA a unicorn?
Can it only be captured by a virgin?
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Avoid Barclays - How hard is it to open a new barclays bank account rant!
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Has anybody managed to open this ISA?
Yes, I have (together with thousands of others presumably).
Have you tried using the app to open a Barclays current account and then applying for the ISA through the app?
I can't use the app but opened a current account on line, waited for the log in details to come through the post then applied for the ISA.
But experiences vary.....
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6425742/tried-opening-a-isa-with-barclays/p1
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grumbler said:Avoid Barclays - How hard is it to open a new barclays bank account rant!0
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Thanks for the responses and glad its not just me that has found the process difficult. I’m really IT literate so the lack of access makes my blood boil for those less able to navigate the system. The digital training programme they offer is clearly a PR stunt to balance their channel shift programme - sneaky.I think I will avoid Barclays, I don’t want to open another current account there and the difficulty accessing makes me concerned actually getting my cash back might be a pain!:j 2012 Money Saving Mission :j
Overpay Mortgage 0/£5,000
Comp wins 0/12
Thanks to all who contribute!!0 -
I seem to remember Barclays had a fund called Unicorn, many years ago .....
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Laurathebean said:Thanks for the responses and glad its not just me that has found the process difficult. I’m really IT literate so the lack of access makes my blood boil for those less able to navigate the system. The digital training programme they offer is clearly a PR stunt to balance their channel shift programme - sneaky.I think I will avoid Barclays, I don’t want to open another current account there and the difficulty accessing makes me concerned actually getting my cash back might be a pain!
Yes, you need to have a current account as a pre-req, and yes, some people stumble in the ID verification stage. But others sail through the process in very little time, and can then benefit from the products on offer. I am saying this as one of the people for whom opening their current account was an issue since I had previously held a current account with them which I had closed with undue haste, and their systems couldn't understand why I came back....... But I persisted and I am glad I did.1 -
Laurathebean said:Has anybody managed to open this ISA? Should I give up and go elsewhere?
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phillw said:Laurathebean said:Has anybody managed to open this ISA? Should I give up and go elsewhere?
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Band7 said:Laurathebean said:Thanks for the responses and glad its not just me that has found the process difficult. I’m really IT literate so the lack of access makes my blood boil for those less able to navigate the system. The digital training programme they offer is clearly a PR stunt to balance their channel shift programme - sneaky.I think I will avoid Barclays, I don’t want to open another current account there and the difficulty accessing makes me concerned actually getting my cash back might be a pain!
Yes, you need to have a current account as a pre-req, and yes, some people stumble in the ID verification stage. But others sail through the process in very little time, and can then benefit from the products on offer. I am saying this as one of the people for whom opening their current account was an issue since I had previously held a current account with them which I had closed with undue haste, and their systems couldn't understand why I came back....... But I persisted and I am glad I did.:j 2012 Money Saving Mission :j
Overpay Mortgage 0/£5,000
Comp wins 0/12
Thanks to all who contribute!!0
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