Barclays Tax Haven ISA: Have you opened one?

Jon_Skint_Smith

Just a quickie regarding the "letters" barclays sends with ref to all those who seem to have invalid applications.

On my last visit to the local branch to get a progress report ":rotfl:" they asked, and I quote;

" Did you get a good or a bad letter?"

After a baffled response I interrogated him and established that Barclays are sending out two standard letters. The good saying that they are sorry for the delays and this will get better and the bad being the one saying that the application is invalid / incomplete ie a fob off in order to buy time without having to cough up interest - with a "failed/incomplete application" it effectively places the responsibility of the delay with the applicant and not Barclays.........Barclays is most certainly :j !!!

fatducks

Money transfered especially for the 2008/9 ISA into my Barcays current account on 2 April; not opened until 29 April - almost 1 months interest lost on £3600 - not happy!

mary

Had my money in the Barclays current account waiting to be collected for the Tax Haven Isa on 6th April. It wasn't collected until 24th April. Interest given on 1st May around £4.06 ish. Rang to find out why not more, as I had been told it would be backdated. Apparently there are 160,000 others in the queue and this backdating of interest has to be done manually, hence the delay. It will be added either 1st June or 1st July, depending on your luck!

timo58

and what about the one months lost of ISA ??? as mine is certainly be sent somewhere else next year even just 11 months worth !!!!
I hate being con

MTW_2

Barclays tax haven ISA is a total bloody SHAMBLES.

I think I will let the dust settle and then transfer out to a more competent provider. If one exists.

Lokolo

6 weeks since applying.
5 weeks since new tax year.

Nothing :rolleyes:

Got my letter of complaint today saying they will deal with it and send me a letter by 6th June. I wonder if my account will be open by then. Ha.

freeasabird

freeasabird wrote: »

I went to a local branch of Barclays to pay in a cheque before the end of the 07/08 year. I was told that they couldn't accept any payments and was given an envelope to send a cheque to their office in Glasgow. I then rang t ISA customer services and was told to send it to their office in Liverpool. They wouldn't accept an electronic transfer because I have a current account with another bank. I sent the cheque off to Liverpool and waited and waited. When I called ISA customer services, they said they couldn't find the cheque. I asked to speak to a manager and she apologised and told me that they would look into it. I was also promised £30.00 compensation. Despite reassuring me that they would contact me to let me know what has happened; I haven't heard anything and now I've discovered that my cheque has been cashed. Barclays sent me a letter saying that they will reply to my complaint by the middle of May. I've lost the will to live.

Last week I got two letters from Barclays: one to say my complaint is being looked at and they will now get back to me on 11th June! The second letter said that they received my cheque for the 08/09 year (even though the letter that I sent with it clearly states 07/08) and as I didn't put any money according to them in the 07/08 year; I will have to fill in a new application for an ISA if not, they will send back my cheque and inform the Inland Revenue that I may have to pay tax on it. I rang the customer services department who said they would let the department that sent me the second letter know about the situation and they will call me later in the day. That was Friday and I'm still waiting. Now I cannot open a 08/09 account somewhere else until I sort this mess out. There are so many complaints about this ISA that I think Martin should approach Barclays on our behalf to deal with this. I'm so fed up with this; I will never do business with Barclays again.:mad:

Lokolo

Personally I hope Martin doesn't get involved. Everyone knows thats theres going to be problems because of last year. of which anyone on this site could have looked up before going to Barclays. Therefore its only the people who applied are to blame. I still went for it as its the best varaible rate out there and I don't have the full amount to put into fixed interest.

I'm not that bothered about my account being opened and my letter of complaint was a concern about my account, to hopefully get me some more money! :T

gww

Wife and I applied for Tax Haven accounts on 8th April in branch. Told it would take a while but interest would be backdated to that day.
2 sets of correspondence received over following weeks.
13th May documentation finally received quoting an account opening date of 7th May.
Telephoned help line querying this date to be told we would be given an additional 14 days interest because of the delay.
This meant that Barclays had had our money from 8th April to 13th May but would only pay 14 days interest for a delay caused by their own incompetence.
I was told this was standard banking practice!!! The person on the phone acted as though they were doing us a favour!!!
I contacted the branch where we opened the account and they have said they will add the missing 14 days interest to the accounts.
We await our statements with interest.

Smartinvestor

My wife and I both opened Tax Haven ISAs on 8th April.

Our cheques (non-Barclays) were not presented/cleared until 12th May.

Documentation received same day, stating start date of 6th May!

We have both complained, one in person at branch, the other by email. We are awaiting responses.

Separately I've been told that interest will only be backdated to start date + 14 days. I cannot recall ever being told this, and it doesn't feature on the published T&Cs.

a) Has anyone else seen this in writing?
b) Does anyone know another provider who accepts transfers?