New card - Abbey Zero

HamiltonL

Yes I appreciate the inconvenience and I sympathise, but going to the branch with ID is the best thing to do, to make sure everything is 100% accurate down to the last comma or full stop.

As for the limit, I have checked my T's and C's and yes I can't see anything about the 95% on there. However I still have my promotional cardboard card pack and the BT slip states 95% on there. It also states on my pre-approved form about the 95% mark. Not sure about a standard application form and whether it says on there though.

LXGB wrote: »

I phoned them today to ask for the third time where my credit agreement was. They said their system showed that I had been approved for the card on 25th July 2008 and that they were waiting for me to send back the credit agreement. They are now going to send out another copy of the credit agreement (was there ever a first?) which will take, you guessed it... 7 to 10 working days

What you were told is accurate regarding the 7 to 10 working days (though there has been a delay on average of 3 to 4 working days extra to get the credit agreements out, for which Abbey apologise). Not sure what they meant by waiting for it to be returned, as you never got the first. Your original one should come shortly. Another one shouldn't come through, but if it does, don't send it back, although hang onto it as backup until you get a PIN number, just in case.

Eydon

exel1966 wrote: »

Then perhaps you can furnish us with a link to those T&C's here or advise exactly what paragraph of the T&C's it's contained in and the date of those T&C's, which will be on the credit agreement.

As I said before my T&C's mention nothing of the sort and if there was Abbey wouldn't have BT'd my account up to the credit limit.

Apologies - it's not actually in the T&C's, but on the balance transfer application slip which is attached to the T&C's. It states:

"The total amount of transferred balance(s) outstanding may not exceed 95% of your current credit limit".

This was also confirmed by the operator when I phoned up to do the balance transfer. But, since this isn't actually part of the T&C's proper I'm not sure how enforceable it is if you kick up enough of a fuss (although I suppose they could refuse you the BT altogether if they wanted to).

rammelino

I applied for the Abbey Zero card (online) on the 29th July, thinking it would be handy to have for a trip to America in September.

After two weeks I had heard nothing, so I rang customer services, having kept a note of my application number, and the date & time of my application, as requested by Abbey.

I spoke to a guy and offererd to quote my application number - he said that would not help(!), and instead asked for my surname and dob. He then brought up my old address (I had a card with Abbey about 5 years ago) but could find no trace of my recent application.

He finally agreed to take a note of my reference number and said he would sent it to a colleague to look into. I was promised a phonecall in "a day or two"

I go to the States on 12th September. Realistically, and given other people's experiences, should I start looking for an other option (e.g. the Nationwide card?). After yesterday's phonecall, I'm not confident about the Abbey situation being resolved in the next few weeks...

jackieblack

rammelino wrote: »

I applied for the Abbey Zero card (online) on the 29th July, thinking it would be handy to have for a trip to America in September.

After two weeks I had heard nothing, so I rang customer services, having kept a note of my application number, and the date & time of my application, as requested by Abbey.

I spoke to a guy and offererd to quote my application number - he said that would not help(!), and instead asked for my surname and dob. He then brought up my old address (I had a card with Abbey about 5 years ago) but could find no trace of my recent application.

He finally agreed to take a note of my reference number and said he would sent it to a colleague to look into. I was promised a phonecall in "a day or two"

I go to the States on 12th September. Realistically, and given other people's experiences, should I start looking for an other option (e.g. the Nationwide card?). After yesterday's phonecall, I'm not confident about the Abbey situation being resolved in the next few weeks...

If you think your credit rating is up to it, I'd try for an alternative, although with only a month before you go it might be a bit tight. The Abbey card might still turn up... but I wouldn't count on it.
Remember if Abbey have done the credit searches, this might count against you on your new application. If you're going to try for a Nationwide card, I'd go into a branch , if it's convenient for you to do so, then you canexplain to the person taking your application about your tight timescale - it can't hurt!

Anon

It appears from the comments above that their application system is checking their existing (and past!) customer base to match up customers before processing - if you have moved (potentially since also leaving them as a customer) then the change of address form is being generated. As I am no longer a customer of Abbey (well I am of Cahoot, but always told that was a separate system) then I am not sure what I can put in the box that asks for one of my Abbey accounts/products as I don't have any. I am sure that they will explain if I manage to get into a branch.

Anon

HamiltonL

rammelino wrote: »

I spoke to a guy and offererd to quote my application number - he said that would not help(!), and instead asked for my surname and dob.

The reference number - though we have a copy of it on the application - cannot be used for a search. We use a personal details search instead.

He then brought up my old address (I had a card with Abbey about 5 years ago) but could find no trace of my recent application.

He finally agreed to take a note of my reference number and said he would sent it to a colleague to look into. I was promised a phonecall in "a day or two"

I assume you never got the phone call? The application might be traced, but to be honest it's unlikely due to the conflicting addresses.

I go to the States on 12th September. Realistically, and given other people's experiences, should I start looking for an other option (e.g. the Nationwide card?). After yesterday's phonecall, I'm not confident about the Abbey situation being resolved in the next few weeks...

The best thing to do I'd say is pop into your local branch with IDx2 - criteria on the Abbey website - and not only can the address be automatically updated, but a new application can be done there as well (usually quite quick in branch). From experience if a problem like this occurs, the credit file isn't searched for the original application with conflicting address, so it should be fine to reapply.

And given the information above Anon, yes that is pretty much correct. You don't have to tick anything for 'products'. Best to explain to the branch as well though when you return the form.

BertyUK

Posted in the Stooze Forum but thought i may rant here too.

Here comes the Ramble

It took 3 weeks to get my paperwork through (lost stooze interest) then another 7 to 10 working days to perform the BT. the issue i had was they BT'd to the wrong account (not Mine) and am still waiting to get the cash back. I spoke to the customer services last wednesday, and got peed off with the guy and asked to chat with a supervisor, I was told he was busy and will call me back within the hour. I was still waiting for the call this morning and called them back. I got no appology just told i would have to wait for the money to be reurned before i could perform the correct transfer. ( 6 weeks stooze interest lost). they gave me the option of resetting the interest free period but as it was a interest free purchase card too thought id do a bit of both. and have slow stoozed on the remainder of the credit limit. and I believe it would have got complicated if id have gone ahed with that. will now use the whole card for a slow stooze as credit limit is only 6k and that will cover the remainder of the time.

Right rant about abbey over ( small a on abbey as i dont think they warrant a capitalisation)

cheers for reading

Rob

juliafrench1

Does anyone know how good your credit rating needs to be to get one of these?

I'd say I'm average - but got knocked back on top Capital One card recently, they tried to palm me off with a 3month interest free one.

exel1966

If Capital One only offered you a 3 month interest free period that would suggest to me that your credit "score" is average at best. What credit limit did Capital One offer you ?
Then again all companies have very different lending criteria, which means one company could refuse whereas another would accept.

not_loaded

juliafrench1 wrote: »

Does anyone know how good your credit rating needs to be to get one of these? I'd say I'm average - but got knocked back on top Capital One card recently, they tried to palm me off with a 3month interest free one.

Just read a few recent pages of this thread Julia, and you’ll probably change your mind!

rammelino wrote: »

I applied for the Abbey Zero card (online) on the 29th July, thinking it would be handy to have for a trip to America in September... …I go to the States on 12th September. Realistically, and given other people's experiences, should I start looking for an other option (e.g. the Nationwide card?). After yesterday's phonecall, I'm not confident about the Abbey situation being resolved in the next few weeks...

You’re right to be ‘not confident’. Go straight to their competitors today rammelino. I’m a ‘valued’ customer of 33 years and they are treating me like dirt. I will be sending them some ‘!!!!!!’ and ‘elbow’ stickers soon, to help them out with their problems.

I know it sounds silly I have to admit, but it is totally feasible that something very minor may not be compatable between your address and the Abbey address on their systems (it can vary for different products, from a mortgage to a current account). Even if you are receiving mail, that small error might be what is preventing the Bradford team sending the card out.
That's just my theory. I would speak to Abbey again (0845 602 1582) and see if you can get everything verified by a supervisor first before popping down to the branch if you have to.

I’m so tired of chasing this up now. Nobody can tell me anything about it. They are plainly not interested. All of my first class letters have been ignored. How professional!

However, someone apparently unknown to them, just pops into a branch and:

…was told it would be done first thing in the morning and I would be called. At 10am Abbey called with confirmation of acceptance, advised credit limit and asked what BT's I'd like. Gave details up to the Full limit and a few days later they were done and card received.

And here I am, a ‘valued customer’ of 33 years, still waiting for any sort of response after five weeks.

So the stranger gets the Rolls Royce treatment, and the longstanding customer gets El Zippo.

Pathetic Santander, absolutely pathetic!