New card - Abbey Zero

HamiltonL

JF77 wrote: »

Applied on line 6th July, chased 24th July to be told application? what application? Re-applied over phone and approved that same day. phoned today to be told was not processed until 31st July. Told her I needed by Fri 15th she said "Oh I doubt you will have it by then" as still need to send signed forms back (which I don't have yet) and then it takes a further 5 - 7 days. OMG! what a palava.

Does anyone think I may get the card on time?

Sometimes, even if approved, it will take a few days to come onto the system.

10 working days is standard time to get our Agreement so you'll do well to get the agreement before you go away. Card wise, likely to be early September. Very sorry. I think the unbelieveable demand (trust me, it is) for the Zero card has caught Abbey off guard. At least the customer service agent did not make any unrealistic guarantees.

HamiltonL

Flummaxed wrote: »

I too am still waiting for the dreadful "Shabbey" to send through my card. Applied for it originally on 17th July, told I would be sent forms to sign and return but they never (and still haven't) arrived. Went into a branch last week and filled out form there - gave my i.d., was told I'd be telephoned the next day (Friday 1st Aug) never received phone call.

I mentioned in the previous post we are being advised it is taking about 10 working days to get the forms. Hopefully that means you'll hear something about the first app shortly. Probably a naive staff member you spoke to as well in branch. We wouldn't give any timescale or even a guarantee of a callback.

Personally I would not have done a new application as that's just another raid on your credit file.

In the meantime I'd already phoned Abbey to try to find out what was happening about forms for my original telephone application - they just told me computer showed that it was being processed (whatever that means in this instance).

Probably meaning the Underwriters were either still reviewing the application, or they were still waiting to give a decision.

Rang them just now to find out why I STILL hadn't heard from them, after some discussion about both my applications I was told that the card had been processed (due to the branch application on 31st July) and it would be sent to me at my home address (even though I'd specified the branch address cos I was worried that post was up the creek as I hadn't even received the application form in the post).

So you had been accepted? Or has the card been processed already?

Well, time will tell. I need the card before travelling on 20th August, but I'm very sceptical due to the fiasco that other people on here also seem to have experienced with Abbey.

Branch applications are usually swift so hopefully the agreement will come in a couple of days and you might, just might get the card prior to the 20th.

HamiltonL

not_loaded wrote: »

Thanks so much for being helpful here in your own time. I’m mystified that it’s not trackable when enquiring. My wife is now saying to look at (and apply for) another card with similar benefits. I don’t really want to do that, but how long do you wait in these circumstances? Also, if they can’t even find it when it’s an ongoing application, how can I cancel it? The BT will almost certainly be completely irrelevant when/if I ever get the account. Gotta be the oddest way to treat a ‘valued’ customer I’ve ever come across!

Actually I think it can be tracked. It's just a while since I've dealt with a pre-approved application. I assume it's on the system like any other, just you're already conditionally accepted on the database before you know anything about it. I assume it can be cancelled that way using the reference no etc. Hopefully you'll hear something soon.

RMilne

pennylane99 wrote: »

High interest rates
The sting with Abbey's card comes after the six-month offer period. Take a balance beyond this period and it's a Zero card in name only. Interest on purchases goes up to 18.9% APR and interest on cash advances goes up to 25.9% APR, which are high rates against other credit cards in the market.
With the purchase rate of 18.9% there is a grace period of 56 days before interest starts clocking up but when withdrawing cash, the interest rate starts from the first day of withdrawal.

http://money.uk.msn.com/creditcards/articles/article.aspx?cp-documentid=8197431

As long as you are disciplined enough then use Abbey for six months to save yourself some interest payments. You don't need a perfect credit rating, an average one will do (I've managed to get one and mine's average), then just set a reminder in your phone for 5 month's time and switch.

not_loaded

…then just set a reminder in your phone for 5 month's time and switch.

According to other Abbey Zero users on here, you should make that 4 month's time, due to the backdating of account opening they do.

I think the unbelieveable demand (trust me, it is) for the Zero card has caught Abbey off guard.

It has to be down to different departments not knowing the true situation then, as I (and many other people obviously) received an invitation to take up this card, as a ‘valued’ customer. They didn’t have to do that mailing (which was actually a second mailing to us) if they were under pressure.

Actually I think it can be tracked. It's just a while since I've dealt with a pre-approved application. I assume it's on the system like any other, just you're already conditionally accepted on the database before you know anything about it. I assume it can be cancelled that way using the reference no etc. Hopefully you'll hear something soon.

Mmm… Yes. I just can’t see how it can be made so complicated. Let’s say there are five steps to do the job, then a pre-approved app would surely just drop into the system at say, stage three? Then it simply follows the usual stages. Every phone call to date has had the response of ‘Can’t see it’ and ‘Don’t know’.

I don’t actually have a reference number for the application.

On Saturday I talked to someone who actually sounded concerned. It’s the first time that’s happened. But here I am three post deliveries later with nothing. The whole thing is mind boggling really, as they know from our 33 years record with them that we’re good payers, savers and investors.

We’ve recently started to look for a bank when we move to Spain later this year. We’re selling up and essentially want somewhere to dump the money short term, and obviously a bank to deal with for the future. Now, Banco Santander have to go right to the bottom of the list (if not off the list altogether) with this sort of fiasco.

Sun

<Sarcastic Mode>
What a customer service!! -
</Sarcastic Mode>

I added a additional cardholder while applying for Abbey Zero card.

After a month, I got my card but no sign of additional card. I called customer service twice :

First Adviser (UK Call Centre): "I cannot find additional cardholder in your original online application." OK, Can I add a additional cardholder now? "No, additional cardholder can only be added at the time of applying for Credit Card."

Second Adviser (Indian Call Centre) : "I cannot access your original online application, if you need to add additional cardholder, please visit a branch as this cannot be done over the phone."


Who is right? Should I visit branch for a third direction?

not_loaded

Oh crikey. This just gets worse and worse with every post here.

My blood runs cold when I think that they have my house deeds in their DeedSafe service. I’ve a horrible feeling it’ll be ‘Deeds, what deeds?’ when I want them back. I’d better start on that right away.

What did Santaander do before taking over Abbey National? Was it a bric-a-brac market stall?

Sun

It seems "Abbey" cannot add additional cardholders once account is opened. Their is no option on their system to add additional cardholder, they can cancel it though!

The only way to add an additional cardholder is at the time of application.

What a mess!!

Cloudane

Ooh, my PIN arrived. I guess that's a good sign. Just need the card and welcome stuff now

A&L didn't post things in the "correct" order either, a merger made in heaven eh! At least there's a sign of hope now.

PParka

Hi all

When I applied for my Abbey Zero card a requested a £10k balance transfer. But I only got a £5k limit. (Maybe I've stoozed too much:D )

Am I right in thinking Abbey will still do the balance transfer on 95% of my £5k limit?

Also, will it happen automatically? or do I need to contact Abbey?
My 0% finishes on the other card in September, so I'm hoping it happens before then.

Thanks