Barclaycard - declined and retained...?

crazyfj

well all i have to say if it happened to me or anyone else defending Barclay's on this topic I bet they would be mad and embarrassed and not so busy to judge.

NickX

CopperPlate wrote: »

Oh dear. You sound like my idea of a 'customer from Hell'.

Well I can be yes. But if I am treated with courtesy and respect then that is how I will treat others.

However, if I am treated with the contempt of a common criminal, then I may well not be quite so polite.

I understand that the retailer is acting upon instructions from the Card Company and is not necessarily at fault, but they are in the unfortunate position of having to carry out such a ridiculous request of detaining the credit card of a law abiding citizen, and it is simply unlucky for them that they are likely to have to deal with some resistance.

Let me make this clear, I am not blaming the retailer, it is the Credit Card company who I would be angry with, and I would be speaking with the Credit Card company rather quickly and demanding the reasons for this action. However if the retailer refuses to let me speak with the Credit Card company or will not provide further information then they are becoming complicit with the actions and will certainly be the subject of a future complaint.

With regard to raising voices in shops, I have actually found the slightly raised voice can be a relatively quick method to improving the level of service received. I am not saying that I do this all the time, certainly not, but if service is poor then I do believe in making this known.

Just for the record, I do not advocate any form of abuse of staff, shouting, swearing etc. Simply putting the point across in an ascertive and polite manner but in such a way that people understand what the precise problem it, and will escalate in such a way that it is dealt with promptly.

With regard to the police escort, not a problem, I have had many dealings with the police, and in the instance of a dispute in a retail store the only power they have got is to keep the peace. The dispute is a civil one, and provided there is no swearing, no abusive behaviour, then the police do not have any powers to make an arrest.

PROLIANT

NickX wrote: »

Well I can be yes. But if I am treated with courtesy and respect then that is how I will treat others.

However, if I am treated with the contempt of a common criminal, then I may well not be quite so polite.

I understand that the retailer is acting upon instructions from the Card Company and is not necessarily at fault, but they are in the unfortunate position of having to carry out such a ridiculous request of detaining the credit card of a law abiding citizen, and it is simply unlucky for them that they are likely to have to deal with some resistance.

Let me make this clear, I am not blaming the retailer, it is the Credit Card company who I would be angry with, and I would be speaking with the Credit Card company rather quickly and demanding the reasons for this action. However if the retailer refuses to let me speak with the Credit Card company or will not provide further information then they are becoming complicit with the actions and will certainly be the subject of a future complaint.

With regard to raising voices in shops, I have actually found the slightly raised voice can be a relatively quick method to improving the level of service received. I am not saying that I do this all the time, certainly not, but if service is poor then I do believe in making this known.

Just for the record, I do not advocate any form of abuse of staff, shouting, swearing etc. Simply putting the point across in an ascertive and polite manner but in such a way that people understand what the precise problem it, and will escalate in such a way that it is dealt with promptly.

With regard to the police escort, not a problem, I have had many dealings with the police, and in the instance of a dispute in a retail store the only power they have got is to keep the peace. The dispute is a civil one, and provided there is no swearing, no abusive behaviour, then the police do not have any powers to make an arrest.

Power to the people brother!:dance:

BritBrat

I think I would agree for them to keep the card but in two halves.

I don't think I would let anyone have a workable card.

CopperPlate_2

NickX wrote: »

With regard to the police escort, not a problem, I have had many dealings with the police, and in the instance of a dispute in a retail store the only power they have got is to keep the peace. The dispute is a civil one, and provided there is no swearing, no abusive behaviour, then the police do not have any powers to make an arrest.

Sorry, NickX, but why doesn't this surprise me...

It makes no difference if there is swearing, etc present - if the retailer wants you off the premises, and you refuse to go, then you are committing a Breach of the Peace - minor, yes, but Breach nevertheless - continue to refuse to go when asked, and you're looking at being arrested. Just because the 'dispute' is a civil one the result is one of a criminal offence being committed simply by the refusal to leave the premises when asked. Of course, the Police would arrive and try and calm the waters, persuade the retailer to make the concessions being demanded and get involved in something that they probably shouldn't be getting involved in but because you've two immovable personalities guess who gets called in to sort it all out (yeah, the cops), but ultimately if the retailer refused to make those concessions and insisted you leave the store, if you didn't, then the offence is complete.

But you sound a reasonable, if a little headstrong, individual

irandomi

NickX wrote: »

Well I can be yes. But if I am treated with courtesy and respect then that is how I will treat others. [fair enough]

However, if I am treated with the contempt of a common criminal, then I may well not be quite so polite. [dont become one by commiting a breach of the peace]

I understand that the retailer is acting upon instructions from the Card Company and is not necessarily at fault, but they are in the unfortunate position of having to carry out such a ridiculous request of detaining the credit card of a law abiding citizen, and it is simply unlucky for them that they are likely to have to deal with some resistance.
[there should be none, but you are entitled to take steps to protect yourself, best ones are a reciept(signed by two staff); use of a mobile phone; and taking a PART of the card with you(ie ask for the three digit security from the rear, so they cant use it online) they are going to cut it up anyway.

Let me make this clear, I am not blaming the retailer, it is the Credit Card company who I would be angry with, and I would be speaking with the Credit Card company rather quickly and demanding the reasons for this action. However if the retailer refuses to let me speak with the Credit Card company or will not provide further information then they are becoming complicit with the actions and will certainly be the subject of a future complaint. [using a retailers phone is pointless, like is say use your mobile; they will always provide you with the reference number(thats all you need) if you are NOT treated in the same manner as you would expect if simply asking where i chocolate bar could be found, then make a complaint(but do not disrespectfully argue with any retailer, your problem is with the card company)]

With regard to raising voices in shops, I have actually found the slightly raised voice can be a relatively quick method to improving the level of service received. I am not saying that I do this all the time, certainly not, but if service is poor then I do believe in making this known.

Just for the record, I do not advocate any form of abuse of staff, shouting, swearing etc. Simply putting the point across in an ascertive and polite manner but in such a way that people understand what the precise problem it, and will escalate in such a way that it is dealt with promptly. [i think you may want to try a lesson in good communication(i have never had anyone NEED to raise their voice, unless they were demanding something to which they had no right), in most cases simply remembering that in a respectable retailer's stores, the staff are trained to a certain level of professionalism, and will be competant in dealing with the situation both respectfully and legally, would help.

With regard to the police escort, not a problem, I have had many dealings with the police, and in the instance of a dispute in a retail store the only power they have got is to keep the peace. The dispute is a civil one, and provided there is no swearing, no abusive behaviour, then the police do not have any powers to make an arrest.
[assuming only that the store does not sell alcohol(a licensed premise should be treated with care in terms of police involvement, in my workplace for instance, if we call the police, it is policy to ask them to assist in removing the person who caused the call to be put in, we only call where we feel we are getting nowhere. so watch how you play this one), but also remember that you are not on public property, the police have powers of removal even where no license is effective, if the person in charge asks you to leave.]

in short everyone who has a card, should educate before using it.

Degenerate

Chris2000 wrote: »

Can't find the Barclaycard T&C but the Lloyds TSB credit card T&C say: 10.2 Cards and Cheques belong to us and must be returned immediately if we ask you to do so, or if you die, or are made bankrupt. Anyone acting for us may recover or retain them.

I don't know how the retailer would prove that they were acting for the bank, rather than acting for themselves with the intention of taking the card straight to the nearest cashpoint - after getting the PIN from a CCTV recording.

My thoughts exactly. They are of course entitled to decline my card as payment, but if they tried to keep the card I would call the police. How do I know that the card really didn't authorize? How do I know that was a genuine chip&pin terminal rather than a mock-up made to harvest PINs? How do I know that was really my card company they spoke to on the phone? From a card-holder's point of view, surely the proper action is to call 999 and report a theft in progress.

bengal-stripe

Degenerate wrote: »

From a card-holder's point of view, surely the proper action is to call 999 and report a theft in progress.

You are 1 1/2 years too late!

OP's card was retained in March 2008. S/he never returned to tell us the end of the story. So, we'll never find out!
(Who knows, there might have been a good reason to retain the card.)

TFD_2

Degenerate wrote: »

My thoughts exactly. They are of course entitled to decline my card as payment, but if they tried to keep the card I would call the police. How do I know that the card really didn't authorize? How do I know that was a genuine chip&pin terminal rather than a mock-up made to harvest PINs? How do I know that was really my card company they spoke to on the phone? From a card-holder's point of view, surely the proper action is to call 999 and report a theft in progress.

Agreed with the post above, that this is too late...

But disagree with you totally - that would be called wasting police time! They could be helping somebody in trouble, but instead dealing with your timewasting call, as you misunderstand your rights.

The card DOES NOT belong to the cardholder - it belongs to the issuer, who is more than entitled to ask a retailer to retain the card. This is part of your card agreement, and also part of their merchant services agreement.

If you're not happy, then call the card issuer as soon as possible to confirm the reason for the card to be withheld.

All the comments about "I'd kick off" etc make me angry, as it's idiots like you that a shop just does not need.

bingy_burge

I would of phoned barclaycrad on the spot using the number on the back of the card and confrimed the situation if not I would tell the shop I need my card back and if the refused contact the police.