New card - Abbey Zero

shobba

mattyDne wrote: »

Hi - I applied for an Abbey Zero card on the 13th of August, I received the contract of acceptance to return (posted it immediately).

I waited 2 weeks, and then contacted them to see what was happening - They gave me a load of crap - basically they didnt have a clue what was going on.

Now over a month later (from applying), and several phone calls - no card - no nothing.

I am a bit annoyed because I have a balance which I was counting on transferring which I am still paying interest on. I would apply for another card but dont want it to have an impact upon my credit rating

Anyone have any ideas what to do...

Matt

same deal I applied a week earlier than you- their system says they are still awaiting the forms I sent back to them. I've asked them again and again over the last few weeks to send me a new agreement pack. They keep saying that they will, it is probably in the post etc etc. I've also sent an email via their website which wasn't answered. Today the chap on the phone told me i should go into an abbey branch, fill out the forms and ask them to post it in the internal mail.

I'm going to apply for another card for a balance transfer, but if it's successful I'll have to contact Abbey and tell them not to do a balance transfer in the event they eventually find the application.

Possibly and hopefully unrelated, but I have received 2 phishing emails from someone purporting to be Abbey since I applied...I don't have an account with them...anyone else had the same?

not_loaded

shobba wrote: »

…Possibly and hopefully unrelated, but I have received 2 phishing emails from someone purporting to be Abbey since I applied...I don't have an account with them...anyone else had the same?

I get around two or three fake ‘bank’ emails a day, so I’d say it’s just coincidence. My longstanding Abbey application doesn’t seem to have generated any fake Abbey emails.

I use Mailwasher, which allows you to view the real source of any email before you actually download your mail properly. I generally delete more email than I keep nowadays…

jackieblack

not_loaded wrote: »

However, to add insult to injury, on dialling the number to activate the card, after answering around six questions I was informed that I had ‘failed security’ and the call would have to be terminated. I gave a brief summary of the disaster and the myriad complaints that preceded all this, and asked to speak to a supervisor, who helpfully just repeated what the previous advisor had already told me, so call terminated!!!!!

I am definitely going to be checking my credit file when this fiasco ends…

We had exactly the same problem - my husband was told he'd failed the security check and we were told by a 'supervisor' that we would have to go into our local branch to sort it out.:eek:
This meant my husband taking time off work and a 30 mile round trip, so we telephoned the branch and, although we were told we couldn't have an appointment, we were assured, by the branch manager, that someone would be available to see us at tht time, on that day. Of course, when we arrived at the branch no-one had any record that we were coming in and the manager 'wasn't in' but they eventually found someone to see us, only to be told by branch staff that they couldn't do anything as the telephone banking arm was nothing to do with them, they had no way of knowing why or on what basis my husband had 'failed' the security check!:mad:
Eventually (but only because we said we weren't leaving until it was sorted out) they telephoned someone who eventually got the cards activated for us and were able to change PINs etc.
I wish I'd folowed my first instinct where the ShAbbey are concerned and never responded to their 'valued customer, pre-approved' offer in the first place!

jackieblack

HamiltonL wrote: »

Which new parts of the new T's and C's have caused most annoyance?

To be honest, its more that fact that they've been changed so soon after the account was launched, within a few weeks of those of us who've actually received cards getting them, and before many others who are still struggling with the application process/mis-management even receiving their cards - it seems to me that they didn't think it through properly in the first place!

ldn-100

jackieblack wrote: »

only because we said we weren't leaving until it was sorted out

This was also the method I used to get my Abbey Zero card activated.

not_loaded

jackieblack wrote: »

To be honest, its more that fact that they've been changed so soon after the account was launched, within a few weeks of those of us who've actually received cards getting them, and before many others who are stilling struggling with the application process/mis-management even receiving their cards - it seems to me that they didn't think it through properly in the first place!

Yes, I sympathise. I now possess three different sets of Terms & Conditions, numbering many many pages. Some of them are written by that bloke that fitted the whole of the bible on a pinhead.

I’ve wasted hours and hours to date on this farce, and I’m not going to go through the paperwork to try and decide which is the real T&Cs.

I hope this thread acts as a warning to other MSE users to give Abbey/Santander a wide berth and move on to a professional company.

If I had known nine weeks ago what I know now, the valued customer pre-approved paperwork would have gone straight into the recycling.

After being ‘security rejected’ yesterday by the card activation team, I finally got the account activated by contacting the complaints people at Milton Keynes. They helpfully confirmed that there was no reason for the security rejection.

This morning my wife’s brand new card is declined for a full week’s shopping load at Asda. :eek:

She was really pleased. I can only suspect now that because we’ve complained, somebody is making sure that things will go wrong every step of the way for us with our Abbey Zero card.

On getting back this morning I phoned Abbey about the declined card, and apparently the authorised user card has to be activated separately!

Words fail me!

jackieblack

not_loaded wrote: »

I now possess three different sets of Terms & Conditions, numbering many many pages. Some of them are written by that bloke that fitted the whole of the bible on a pinhead.

:rotfl: :rotfl: LOL:rotfl: :rotfl:

MarkDan

HamiltonL wrote: »

Which new parts of the new T's and C's have caused most annoyance?

For me it's the change in minimum repayment - it means an extra £240 per month for me! See http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1161143

Sus_2

6 weeks ago I was approved and accepted by Abbey to get an abbey zero card (following Martin Lewis's recommendation). I had given six weeks so that I would have the whole process completed before my holiday to the states. Guess what..I heard nothing from the initial phone call. Then I called again to be told info would come through the post shortly and that there had been a delay generally with Abbey. I waited. Nothing. Then I called again to be told I would be better off going into a branch with my ID to get it done quicker as they could also process an urgent request immediately to head office. This was now 3 weeks into my 6 week timeline. Again ..I heard nothing! Then I called again to be told they would be sending my information out and yes I would get it before my holiday 22nd Sep 2008. Guess what...NOTHING!!
Today I have called again and been told there is no way they will get me a credit card in time for my holiday now...apparently it takes 7 to 10 days for anyone at head office to reply to anyone about anything and that would mean they replied outwith my timescale.
It was suggested I write and complain and they will pass my details to head office who apparently...will call me in 7-10 days!!

I want to let anyone else know out there that Abbey zero might well be great but their customer service is appalling.
I now have to walk round the usa and do my road trip only with cash...
so if I get mugged..and if I have to use my debit card (which is one of the banks Martin says never goto) I shall be billing Abbey zero!

I am one annoyed person..I did not want a card in the first place but understood I should if I was going abroad. I also know some places do not accept debit cards...so I thought I was being sensible..stupid more like! Never again!:mad:

taurusgb

not_loaded wrote: »

On getting back this morning I phoned Abbey about the declined card, and apparently the authorised user card has to be activated separately!

Words fail me!

:rolleyes: yep it does - also says on the pretty sticker adorning card that the main card user has to activate it. On ringing up main user is asked to type in the date of birth....but of course it is not the main user's date of birth they want it is the 2nd card holders....NOT that they make that clear!

For us so far they have issued 2 lots of duplicate cards (Heaven knows why!), 3 sets of PIN numbers and have put through a balance transfer as requested on card application - but having done all of that they still keep writing to ask for documentary evidence such as bank statements etc (sent ages ago) which "need to be supplied before we are able to activate your account or issue any cards and PIN numbers"........................was this stooze worth it? NO! will definately be cancelling when BT comes to an end