Applying to Barclays for bank switch - need an in branch appointment?

designeditdesignedit

Ive downloaded the Barclays app to apply for an account and the switch. But when I got to the ID page it said that the ID would be needed before  I go to the appointment with them.
Ive never had to do that before - switched with TSB, co op, nationwide and first direct..no appointments needed.
Is this a regular thing with them? I wonder if other banks will follow suit to keep track of frequent switchers.

Boing2

I also had the same experience. Tried 3 times. I then rang the number from the app and was taken through to a horrendous automated machine. After a couple of minutes of selecting options etc I gave up. Although I was tempted by the switch offer, it made me realise how easy the challenger banks are to deal with rather than the dinosaurs such as Barclays. I have abandoned my switch and will stick with the challenger bank I'm with. This took minutes to set up through the app, never have any issues with it and can always get prompt responses. The polar opposite of my first experience with Barclays.

designeditdesignedit

yep, think i will be abandoning that particular switch

Hooli

I too had difficulty despite call centre staff doing her best. Barclays cannot offer me any other way of confirming my ID other than to make me an appointment in a branch in a town centre over 10 miles away which will take 4 bus journeys.  There are 2 hubs within spitting distance but neither offer the service 'Verifying ID'.  

So, for me to make all that effort, it's just not worth it.  Barclays, you've lost out on another customer.  Lloyds, here I come 😁

Rob5342

Boing2 said:

Although I was tempted by the switch offer, it made me realise how easy the challenger banks are to deal with rather than the dinosaurs such as Barclays.

It's amazing how far behind the times the old fashioned banks are, wanting you to go to a branch to verify ID is like Netflix posting VHS cassettes to people. 

Bendo

It's a bit daft isn't it, close most branches but insist people visit a branch for mundane things. No thanks.

trickydicky14

So is this appointment thing being applied to all or is it those who can't get stuff verified online?

Bendo

I had no issues opening the premier account and starting a switch in the app.

Hooli

trickydicky14 said:

So is this appointment thing being applied to all or is it those who can't get stuff verified online?

Hooli said:

I too had difficulty despite call centre staff doing her best. Barclays cannot offer me any other way of confirming my ID other than to make me an appointment in a branch in a town centre over 10 miles away which will take 4 bus journeys.  There are 2 hubs within spitting distance but neither offer the service 'Verifying ID'.  

So, for me to make all that effort, it's just not worth it.  Barclays, you've lost out on another customer.  Lloyds, here I come 😁

Following on from my comment above, I visited my local 🤣 branch, 10 miles away, yesterday and was told, 'That's ridiculous, they can absolutey verify your ID at a hub!'  I was told that by 3 members of staff in branch.  The issue seems to be, if you have ever had an account with Barclays, the system cannot deal with having you on there again.  

The lovely lady who eventually got me sorted persevered for over an hour.  I had to delete the app and start again.  When it stopped me on the 'need to verify ID' she took my picture, with me holding my passport, my driving licence too and attached that to my record and hey presto, I now have an account. 

Do be warned though, last night I activated my switch, signed up to Blue Rewards, signed up to on-line banking, could view and move around my account, deposited my £2k and now I cannot access my account online.  

In my online banking, to log on, clicking on the 'Confirm your ID on the Barclays app' just tells me to download the app, even though my membership number and name is displayed on screen.  I cannot do it with passcode and memorable name because they need to send me this ........in the post!  

I also cannot make any payments from my Barclays app because I can't set up a new payee for up to 4 days!  So, my £2k is stuck there for the time being.

It's alot of hurdles and I can completely understand why people are giving up and even moving away from Barclays. I think their days are numbered.

eskbanker

Hooli said:

I also cannot make any payments from my Barclays app because I can't set up a new payee for up to 4 days!  So, my £2k is stuck there for the time being.

Yes, this limitation was discussed in another recent thread, coincidentally* also by someone depositing £2K before realising the difficulty of getting it out again in a hurry:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6635812/new-barclays-customer-cannot-access-my-money-in-app-be-warned

* Edit: doh, not a coincidence but the amount needed to qualify for the switching offer!

trickydicky14

Hooli said:

trickydicky14 said:

So is this appointment thing being applied to all or is it those who can't get stuff verified online?

Hooli said:

I too had difficulty despite call centre staff doing her best. Barclays cannot offer me any other way of confirming my ID other than to make me an appointment in a branch in a town centre over 10 miles away which will take 4 bus journeys.  There are 2 hubs within spitting distance but neither offer the service 'Verifying ID'.  

So, for me to make all that effort, it's just not worth it.  Barclays, you've lost out on another customer.  Lloyds, here I come 😁

Following on from my comment above, I visited my local 🤣 branch, 10 miles away, yesterday and was told, 'That's ridiculous, they can absolutey verify your ID at a hub!'  I was told that by 3 members of staff in branch.  The issue seems to be, if you have ever had an account with Barclays, the system cannot deal with having you on there again.  

The lovely lady who eventually got me sorted persevered for over an hour.  I had to delete the app and start again.  When it stopped me on the 'need to verify ID' she took my picture, with me holding my passport, my driving licence too and attached that to my record and hey presto, I now have an account. 

Do be warned though, last night I activated my switch, signed up to Blue Rewards, signed up to on-line banking, could view and move around my account, deposited my £2k and now I cannot access my account online.  

In my online banking, to log on, clicking on the 'Confirm your ID on the Barclays app' just tells me to download the app, even though my membership number and name is displayed on screen.  I cannot do it with passcode and memorable name because they need to send me this ........in the post!  

I also cannot make any payments from my Barclays app because I can't set up a new payee for up to 4 days!  So, my £2k is stuck there for the time being.

It's alot of hurdles and I can completely understand why people are giving up and even moving away from Barclays. I think their days are numbered.

Would it have been possible to not put the 2k in the account until later in the month before the deadline. This would give you a small amount of time to iron out any issues?