Embarrassed by Barclays

judybb

I applied for a credit card and got accepted for a visa platinum. The card arrived last week with a limit of over £4000. I had to phone to activate it, which was fine and was also sold different insurances. I am a relief manager so thought it would be good to get my petrol on my card and purchased some other items, the total amount approx £500. I saw a car in alocal garage, was offered a good part ex for mine, I asked if i could pay the the balance of £1000 on my card and was told fine. I left a deposit and went back today to pick it up, my card was declined. I have necver felt so embarrassed in all my life. I reassured the garage as I knew I had at least £3600 left on my card, I then went to the nearest Barclays bank. They let me phone Barclaycard who then went on to tell me they had reduced my limit, as no one had been kind enough to inform me they then went on to say it was my fault for not checking my balance. Why would any one check their balance when you know you are nowhere near your limit that you have only just been given,. I tried explaining that if I did not pay the balance i would lose my deposit. Further more I would not of put myself in that situation of looking utterley ridiculous and having to go back and tell the sales man that my credit had been reduced. This happend to me today, my face is still red and I feel barclay card are out of order. They say a letter telling me it has been reduced is in the post and I should read my terms and conditions, but why would I think the limit on a card I have only just got would change. Also the lady was very rude and asked if I was living off my card. I said I was not as I had money in my bank and as the lady when I activated it said I should purchase goods with my card as i had o% interest for 3 months rather than take cash out. Is there any one I should complain to because now I've had to drain my bank account to pay for my car and if I thought I had to do that I would not have gone for it in the first place. Thank You Barclay Card Dont YOU THINK YOU SHOULDWORK OUT PEOPLES CREDIT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE SO AS NOT TO EMBARASS YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!

KiKi

You're right: there is no reason why you would go and check your credit limit after you have received a new card.

On the other hand, Barclays are absolutely within their rights to change your limit as and when they like. They have informed you by letter (which is seemingly on its way to you), and they didn't know that you were about to make a purchase. Many companies are doing the same as part of their response to the 'credit crunch' and sudden realisation that they need to be more responsible as lenders.

Ultimately, it was just unfortunate timing. You don't have the letter yet. Yes, you were embarrassed, but they haven't done anything wrong - it's just one of those annoying things.

I don't really think you have grounds for complaint as no Ts&Cs have been breached. If you're unhappy with the service, spend your energy by voting with your feet and apply for a new credit card with a different company, who may well be able to get you a better offer.

KiKi

clio

Judy
how long did you have the card before they reduced your limit. ??

youknowwho

I'm sorry to hear about you limit decrease situation. Unfortunately it was such bad timing in your case. If the car had not been involved then it would have been bearable. All i would advise is to write in to the customer complaints dept. If you explain that you wouldn't have minded the decrease (as it is in the T&C's) but it was the timing and you could have lost your deposit. To be honest, you probably wont get the result you want, but you could at least vent you opinion. Vote with you feet and get rid of the card once the 0% has run out and apply elsewhere. HTH.

MABLE

The reason they do not give cardholders advance warning of a limit reduction is because the cardholder may go out and spend up to the present limit. Myself I always check with the card company before making a major purchase.

battyboimatt

Actually this happend to me two I know they can reduce my limit but reading there terms and conditions with that came with the card, to which I sent to barclayd highlighted it does say they will give you 30 days notice to change in your limit. funny enougth Im still waiting for my letter to say its reduced, I have made an offical complaint and they wrote to me on the 20th Feb, then again on 20 March saying they want to the 17th April to look further at my complaint

movingforward2010

on a different note, i have a next directory with a card, Next seems to change the credit limit every month, in Jan is was £2000 then in Feb it was £700, currently its £1100. this happens regardless if i use it or not - its very irritating

bethanyrayne

Phone up and cancel card they returned my limit when I did.
:j

judybb

clio wrote: »

Judy
how long did you have the card before they reduced your limit. ??

I had the card for a week and a half.I still have not recieved any thing through the post.I take on board peoples coments on bad timing and responsibale lending ect,but if they thought i was a risk surley that should be sorted at the first hurdle.:mad:

Thomas99

judybb wrote: »

Further more I would not of put myself in that situation of looking utterley ridiculous and having to go back and tell the sales man that my credit had been reduced.

With the "credit crunch", that salesman (and plenty of others) will have a problem shifting their stock without cash buyers....here comes the recession.

Bernie

...I would have had heart failure if this had been done to me! I am appalled for you.

Since they did not/had not contacted you to inform you that they had revised your limit, I would be of the opinion that the original terms were extant until you acknowledge and agreed otherwise - this is what is known as a deal - a contract between parties. If they change the terms retrospectively, they are responsible for any charges/costs that arise from their change.

Something similar did arise for me with Intelligent Finance in the past - it resulted in them paying me £70 albeit very reluctantly.

Work out what they've cost you, add a modest fee for your distress and pursue them in the Small Claims Court (easily done online now).

Take them to task, hold them to their original terms and sue the so-and-so's for the time, stress and trouble they've cause you.

:T