Abbey Credit Card - watch it!

oscarhugo

I don't know if this particular moan has been covered on another thread but -- anybody BTing on an Abbey card needs to keep an eye on it when it's nearing the end of its 0% promotion period. I waited until the statement came that said "estimated interest £38" then I paid it off in full [via a BT to MorganStanley], foolishly thinking that it was done & dusted. My account showed up as clear but then all-of-a-sudden on the next statement there's an interest charge of £28-odd. I'm presently attempting to claw this back [having to write a letter - via fax] because AbbeyMasterCard's statements are VERY ambiguous - nowhere on them does it say when the promotional period ends and, even worse, on the statement that I waited for (the 'est.interest £38' one) it still actually states "Mthly Int Rates: BT's & Cheques 0.0000%". Whether I have a leg to stand on remains to be seen - and my leg may be weakened by the fact that I'd already previously rang up to cancel the card... - but we shall see. And I certainly won't get the 28 quid back if I DON't ask! Any comments anyone?

Rafter

This is probably the interest due from the 6 or 9 month anniversary of your BT and the date you actually settled.

Unlike purchases you don't get 'free' days so you have probably been charged correctly.

If you have already rung up to close the account I can't see you having much luck with a refund, but worth a try.

Robert_Sterling_3

Did you make more out of them than they made out of you?

oscarhugo

Ta mates!

Rafter -- I probably HAVE been "charged correctly" but I'm hoping the ambiguousness[!] of their statements might help me! And you're probably right that, since I have already cancelled the card, I'm not gonna get anywhere....but....you never know. Nothing ventured!

Robert -- I hope I've made more out of them but I'm not sure.

smartsaver

I am not a fan of abbey although I have there cashback card. They can be sneaky.
I have a credit limit of £5200 on this card but never use this amount. When I had a balance of apprx £1000.00 they cold called to ask me if I wanted to take avantage of the 0% interest on the remainder of the credit limit. They offered to put in my bank waivering the normal £35.00 charge ;D I thought.
When I asked to clear the £1000.00 balance first to avoid this being placed behind the transfered balance when paying off they said it was a one off offer and 'now or never'. I dread to think how much interest I would have paid if I wasn't up on the T&c'S and credit card wise. >:(

oscarhugo

Now TODAY the balance had gone up to 53 quid! Why? Because I'd cancelled the DirectDebit when paying off the full balance [it was the obvious thing to do, really]. They had the cheek to make a charge of £25 for a returned payment!! [of the £5 monthly payment]. But they have said on the phone today that they will refund it [the 25 quid that is - still waiting with bated breath re the £28 interest].

sly_dog_jonah

Comparing Abbey against the competition, I just got my 5th monthly LloydsTSB Platinum statement which kindly informed me the precise dates that my two promotional 6 month balance transfers will expire.

In my opinion, all credit card companies should be forced to include such warnings on your statements!!

oscarhugo

Another one I had problems with was Co-op Visa ~

The first minimum payment was due before the DD mandate had kicked in so I paid it by cheque at a Co-op Bank branch. My cheque was duly cashed 2 days later. My next Co-op Visa statement showed payment not received! Then they made a charge for non-receipt... I had to speak to the Visa Call centre a couple of times before the payment was located & credited to my account & they said they would refund the non-payment charge. It took another phone call before this was done!. Then my next statement showed an 'overlimit' charge of £25.... (because THEIR erroneous charge had taken me above my credit limit!).

You have to watch these credit card companies like a hawk!

Quasi_2

Hi,

I have an Abbey card. The 6 months 0% ended September gone. I paid it off before the 0% ended. Then I phoned them to cancel the card.

The chap on the phone asked why I was cancelling the card. I said that the 0% has ended. He tried to tell me how good their normal rates were. I mentioned he would have to do pretty well to top 0%.

Then to my absolute surprise he said what if he extended the 0% for another six months? Well, it would have been rude to say no. ;D

Regards,


Q

Freddie_Snowbits

Thanks for the Tip Quasi

Got the great Missis Freddie applying for hers right now!!

What were the words you used again ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Talos_2

I agree with what has already been said about Abbey.
Alliance & Leicester are the same, as the end date of the 0% period end date never appears on the statement. Barclaycard always has it written in black and white.

Always make a note of when these deals end (So endeth the lesson!)