Barclays Direct Investing application form not working?

david72

Having read about the recent fee changes for Barclays Direct Investing, I tried to open a Direct Investing ISA account (as a new customer, as I don't have any Barclays accounts), but the form process seems to fail with an error after submitting the first page and trying to load the second page, saying that it can't continue.

The link to the form is:

<https://featuresstore.barclays.co.uk/forms/smart-investor/ntb?productType=ISA>

which then redirects to a different Barclays site, with the actual form.

<https://forms-wth.barclays.co.uk/forms/smart-investor/ntb?execution=e7s1>

The web addresses and the form titles both refer to "Smart Investor", but I'm assuming that this is just a case of them just not having updated the branding, etc, for the product's new name rather than now being the wrong form?

Has anyone else had any problems with the application form as a new (not-yet) customer?

I'm aware that (especially) some older/larger banks' online processes can often be rather clunky, but this isn't exactly inspiring confidence…

Section62

There are a lot of glitches with the Barclays Smart/Direct investing systems.

As an existing customer the original application process wasn't one I had problems with though.

TBH in your position I would probably open a savings/current account first to get your online profile set up, then open the investment account.

You may find deposits/withdrawals with the investment account go through with less hassle if they go via a Barclays current account.

david72

Ah, if it is known to be a bit of a glitchy platform, it's maybe not quite the tempting offer that it at first looks! Reliability is very important at the end of the day (and I don't mind paying some level of reasonable fees for that, just not too much!).

Good idea, maybe opening a savings account first just to get me on to the system is not a bad idea - thanks!

Chloe_G

I've been a customer for years and had an error when I opened an investment ISA and and investment account. I have had to phone them three times and I'm not much further on with the process two weeks later.

Shimrod

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82064962#Comment_82064962

Can't comment on the application form as I've had a Barclays ISA for over 20 years (when they took over the Charles Schwab business) and I've never had any issues with glitches on the platform. Like most investment platforms there are sometimes periods at the weekend when it will be down for maintenance.

Perksy5

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675764/barclays-direct-investing-application-form-not-working

What did their customer service say when you rang them about this?

friolento

Sometimes the Barclays app works better than online - have you tried applying from the app? Though I don't know how quickly you can register for the app as a new customer. Barclays works in mysterious ways.

I now longer have a Barclays Smart Investor, transferred out for a great cashback deal. I did find their investment platform alright-ish, and their investment CS very helpful and skilled. I now use Freetrade, find the app much better than Barclays but CS is probably not as good as you can't just ring them.