Help me re: Argos Card

HelenR_3

Hello Everyone

I hope someone could PLEASE help me!!

It’s about my Argos Card

Basically, ive come to the impression it’s impossible to transfer an Argos balance? We can’t transfer it on to Barclaycard or Halifax, because it’s a `catalogue` card allegedly? And we can’t pay the bill with a credit card and then transfer that balance

This seems almost illegal to me, how can they restrict me to them exclusively??

Please help me on this if you could

Many Thanks

Helen

xela_17

The problem that people have found with argos cards is that they don't have a 16 digit number. If you look, the first number on the card is printed, it is not raised like the rest. I'm not sure for what purpose argos did this but the net result is that, you're right, it's nigh on impossible to transfer.

What you could do is get an SBT card (eg egg or virgin) and then SBT the money into your bank account and then use it to pay off argos.

Walshy

On the back of your Argos card statement it explains how to make payments online or over the phone:

'Quote our direct payment account no. 90505498 plus sort-code 20-91-79. Your customer ref number is your Argos card number without the first 6 - so it starts 3354'

So surely the credit card company just has to do that?

HelenR_3

xela_17 wrote:

The problem that people have found with argos cards is that they don't have a 16 digit number. If you look, the first number on the card is printed, it is not raised like the rest. I'm not sure for what purpose argos did this but the net result is that, you're right, it's nigh on impossible to transfer.

What you could do is get an SBT card (eg egg or virgin) and then SBT the money into your bank account and then use it to pay off argos.

WALSHY


The problem i`m having is even after taking off that first 3 the account number is still too long , also barclaycard and halifax have both simply said , sorry , cant do it

is there any way round thsi , i wonder !!!!

Systemaddict_2

Try using the last 16 digits; ignore the first 3 digit i.e 633

i.e. start with 54XX XXXX XXXX XXXX

HelenR_3

Systemaddict wrote:

Try using the last 16 digits; ignore the first 3 digit i.e 633

i.e. start with 54XX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Hi

If i try this on line , with barclaycard , after logging in , is it not fraud....

im worried because our 12 month interest free runs out soon..and i`m sure everyones aware of argos`s interest rates :eek:

Systemaddict_2

Why do you think it would be fraud?
You are only doing a BT to your own legitimate account.
Please note:
The reason I suggested (although I have never actually made a BT to Argos card) that you use the last 16 digits is that all 'credit' cards are generally made up of 16 digits, with some exceptions, e.g Argos card, Amex, etc.

ALTERNATIVELY-

If you have (or why not request) BT cheques from any of your credit cards and use it to pay Argos card. Then do a BT to that CC a/c from another of your CC. You may have to pay a handling fee between 2-3 % but it may work out cheaper than paying around 30% apr to Argos card.

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi HelenR

Is your 0% card on BT only or on purchases? If its on purchases-could you not just pay your Argos account in full using your 0% free credit card(or any other CC thats lower than the 29.9% APR)-then pay up before the 0% free period ends-or benefit from the lower % rate?

Hope this makes sense.

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

HelenR_3

Thanks for all the replys everyone


argos say you cant pay your bill using a credit card , it has to be a debit card !
and the reason i feared fraud was because barclays have already told me they wont allow it so i thought if i try again and they spot it (when i try on line) they may get funny ??
although they also told me i couldnt BT my partners egg card balance , which i then did on line anyhow and it went through !!

alsu FAO XELA sorry to be dim but could you or someone tell me in laymans terms what a SBT is using maybe my partners now empty egg card ??


love you all guys thanks

boofy_2

Unfortunately, I've tried to BT from Argos without success. Short of withdrawing the cash from another card and paying the balance, I don't think there is anything that can be done. I will NEVER touch Argos card again. Seemed like a good idea at the time and it's only now am realising the APR!!! Scandalous.

newfoundglory

I suggest you get an arranged overdraft on a current account and use it to pay off the whole balance. Even if the overdraft rate is 15pc, thats still half of the 29pc you are currently paying! At least until you find a better solution. Compound interest is powerful, particularly at such high rates, so you need to get the rate down asap.