Has anyone else experienced this at Barclays?

Rosierabbit

Hi, Just wondered if anyone else has been through the same experience as I have today at Barclays. Here is the situation: I have had a Barclays business account for just under a year. When I took the account on I wasn't really aware of how much the charges would be after the first year. When I worked out it would be over £300 a year I spoke to the manager and he said as my business was small I could open a current account and run the business through that. So back I went today to open a current account, close the business account and transfer the money over. I couldn't believe it took nearly an hour and some of the questions they asked me really surprised me. I was asked where else I have accounts and how much money was in them. Also whether I have a building society account and then they asked to see my Lloyds debit card and took a photocopy of it! How is this relevant? I wish I hadn't given it to them now but I wasn't really thinking straight at the time. I was also asked lots of personal questions about whether I had suffered a bereavement, was expecting a baby, planning on getting married, holiday plans! They then continued to ask me questions about how much money I spend each month on food, entertainment, transport, rates etc. Surely all of this is none of their business. Also I cant believe how desperately banks try to flog you services. It's sickening really as they are only interested in bonuses for themselves (dependent on product sales) at the expense of their customers. Would be very interested to know if anyone elsehas encountered this?

hustle90

Took me over an hour to open a current account with them. I've recently closed it and moved to Lloyds. Best decision I've ever made.

chilli_dog

Opened an account with them about a month ago, did it online though so avoided all the sales patter from the 'assistants'.

We have just moved from the Natwest, but thats another story.

ShelfStacker_3

Barclays made me book an appointment to get an emergency overdraft on my account, which took half an hour and was then instantly declined - "computer says no" has never been more apt.

Meanwhile, Lloyds TSB, HSBC and Alliance and Leicester accomplished the same thing over the phone/Internet in a few minutes.

They're terrible, really. I was never overdrawn over my limit, paid my salary into the account and was in desperate need, but no. Idiots.

robertjonesuk

hmmm....calling someone idiots because you didn't get the o/d...that's interesting...:)

ShelfStacker_3

robertjonesuk wrote: »

hmmm....calling someone idiots because you didn't get the o/d...that's interesting...:)

I was looking for a slightly more diplomatic way to say a**eholes.

krisskross

ShelfStacker wrote: »

They're terrible, really. I was never overdrawn over my limit, paid my salary into the account and was in desperate need, but no. Idiots.

Sounds as if you were always in your overdraft though. Perhaps they thought you couldn't afford to borrow any more.Many say banks are useless and lend irresponsibly so it's their fault when the customer can't pay it back and then they are a****oles if they won't lend in the first place. A rock and a hard place for the banks springs to mind.

ShelfStacker_3

krisskross wrote: »

Sounds as if you were always in your overdraft though. Perhaps they thought you couldn't afford to borrow any more.Many say banks are useless and lend irresponsibly so it's their fault when the customer can't pay it back and then they are a****oles if they won't lend in the first place. A rock and a hard place for the banks springs to mind.

I didn't even HAVE an overdraft. At the time, I didn't have any borrowings whatsoever, actually. I'm perfectly responsible with my borrowing, pay everything off on time and rarely go overdrawn.

Don't jump to conclusions.

Scousebird_2

robertjonesuk wrote: »

hmmm....calling someone idiots because you didn't get the o/d...that's interesting...:)

I agree with the poster here-you can see if the cust is going to get the overdraft immediatly or not before you even ask all the evasive questions about income/expenditure, what you pay out for, when you go to bed, what time you have supper etc.....

They should just tell you up front. I bank with HSBC and it's simple...I ask have I got any room to increase my overdraft and they say either yes straight away or maybe but I will have to go through an application and they inform you it is not guaranteed-that is good customer service....but the questions on the phone for a Barclays application is a)for responsible lending-which can be extablised from....

1)are you a UK resident
2) date of birth
3)How much is coming in (wages/salary etc)
4) how much is going out

as long as your overdraft is not higher than your income and you have some disposable left eg-£1000 coming in and £600 going out with a current overdraft of £500-the system pre-assesses the customer and will say if an increase is available. It takes what....2 mins to ask those questions. I think it's terrible to expect a customer who is desperate to get some funds in most cases to just LIVE, to pay 4p a min to go through an application that the adviser knows will decline and even is appealed if there is grounds, can take time to have a 'real' person look at it.

Why not just say no upfront because I assure you they know....it's just sales, you are a sales opportunity and nothing more and there are other banks out there that think about the customer and give them what they need, not what they consider to be a 'need'

Sorry, i'll get off my soap box now!

krisskross

ShelfStacker wrote: »

I didn't even HAVE an overdraft. At the time, I didn't have any borrowings whatsoever, actually. I'm perfectly responsible with my borrowing, pay everything off on time and rarely go overdrawn.

Don't jump to conclusions.

I wasn't jumping to conclusions but from what you have said i.e.' I was never overdrawn over my limit,' does lead one to assume you have an overdraft.