Barclays Tax Haven ISA: Have you opened one?

timo58

YES that would be good if Martin started crusade on this and maybe make them return our missing money!!!!

magdor

I went into a branch of Barclays on April 7 and opened one of their Tax Haven ISAs. Today (May 13) I have received the documentation. The rate is quoted at 6.08% or 6.25%AER and under Date Opened it says May 7. The money would have been better left where it was earning interest.

johng_uk

I applied on the 15th April and called them yesterday to find out it still isn't up and running. They also said that I applied on 20th April which would mean losing another 5 days interest. This must have been a hold-up in branch or something.

HOWEVER:

I complained on the phone that I was mislead upon opening the policy (I was), as the bank clerk told me that interest would be earned from the day I visited the branch and opened the account. I only found out this was not the case when I called Barclays to see how the ISA opening was progressing. I also stated that I would lose almost a months interest due to the hold-ups opening the accound + the 5 day error stated above.

The girl I spoke to went away and did a few calculations. As such a cheque for £20 is in the post to me now.

I don't know if everyone would be so lucky, but it has to be worth a try?

Hope this helps.

nathanhill69

I would recommend all posters on this thread who are experiencing problems with opening the Tax Haven ISA complain. Last year due to big problems I had opening the Tax Beater ISA (Applied early April - eventually opened late July/Early August after a long catalogue of errors) Barclays sent me a cheque for £90.00.

Keep complaining and ensure Barclays compensate you for what is becoming the annual Barclays ISA fiasco.

testpie

I applied online on the 11 April, and Barclays have opened my ISA today (14 May), which I suppose isn't too bad considering the apparent popularity of the account.

On the other hand, I hadn't expected them to process the account so quickly, so it looks like I may need to transfer some money into my current account from elsewhere to cover for the amount that's just been transferred to the ISA.

kazwookie

Ok they have had a month, to open mine nothing yet, money still in my current account.

Time to make a few phone calls:D

NICW_2

I can't understand why Martin recommended this product? I only chose it because he noted it as the highest. Well it might have been but why didn't Martin put a "Warning" with it about last year's experiences. I certainly don't read every single post or even thread. I "opened" my account in branch on 16th April, tried to pay in an extra £350 a week later (as the clerk told me I could) but they couldn't accept it as my account hadn't been opened. Then I had a letter dated 22nd April saying there's a "short delay" (4 weeks) but I'd received interest from the date the account is opened. What does this mean - the date I went in or the date they finally open it? Then another letter on 27th April still saying short delay and 4 weeks. Nothing since then. Luckily for me my money is in a high interest account so I don't think I'm really losing out but for me it's just the principle of the whole thing. Whatever happened to the days when you simply walked into a bank or building society, gave them your money & they gave you a passbook there and then??

superstar_shopper

I applied online for an ISA after reading the excellent advice on this site. I applied 25th March and thought the ISA would be an 07/08, but finally got the confirmation letter in the middle of April, and my ISA was opened for 08/09 tax year. Have i got any right to complain and gt an extra ISA for 07/08? Anyone in the same boat?
Cheers, Karen

deep_pockets

this thread and poll has now been running for 2 weeks now and clearly shows an appalling record of !!!! ups and poor customer service regarding the barclays tax haven isa.

surely there is enough of a pattern showing to at least update the information on the main site regarding this product, to warn people what they can expect from barclays!

just how long do you need to run with this before acting?

Smartinvestor

I agree with "deep pockets".

Martin Lewis has considerable clout, and should now use it.

All this needs is for Barclays to say that they will backdate interest to the date of application. We're all human, and make mistakes. A simple "come clean", and promise to do the right thing, from Barclays would settle this.

Meanwhile, we all can:

1. Make a formal complaint
2. Keep a detailed diary of all dealings with Barclays, (dates/promises etc.)