Barclays Tax Haven ISA: Have you opened one?

Sue_Hemington

My daughter applied for a Barclays Tax Haven Isa for the 07/08 tax year during March. She received a letter from Barclays in April saying that her application had failed. As the application was completed on screen in the local Barclays branch she went to ask for an explanation. The clerk couldn't understand why the application had failed and lodged a complaint on behalf of my daughter. This week (six weeks later!) she received a letter of apology saying it was now too late to open and ISA for the 07/08 tax year and enclosing a cheque for £220 to cover any lost interest.

Bazza44

Having applied for a Barclays Tax Haven ISA late March...Barclays received all the details on 31st March..I received a letter welcoming me and suggesting that due to demand opening the ISA would take a couple of weeks but don't worry all is well. After two phone calls telling me all was well, which of course by the end of middle of MAY wasn't I put in a complaint within One week I received a letter to say that it was to late to open the ISA. They did however, send a cheque to cover the interest lost. Whilst this maybe compensation it is the principle that has upset me most. I was going to open another ISA for this tax year, I won't and will have nothing to do with Barclays ever again.

Trying_to_be_good

Trying_to_be_good wrote: »

Applied in March via telephone as an existing customer (mortgage current account), confirmation letter dated 20 March.

Then nothing. Called into two branches who could tell me nothing.

Yesterday, finally got through to the 'help' line, who said it was still showing as 'processing' and they couldn't understand why, so a team leader/manager would open the account that afternoon. And interest wil be backdated to 5 Apr.

I'll wait and see, as it's still not showing on my on-line banking.

Ha - one week on, and still no ISA. Called 'help' line again, they STILL can't see any reason why it's not opened, but have now printed the application to fax to Glasgow to have it opened, interest to be backdated to 5 Apr, formal complaint raised.

Fingers remain crossed, but will start looking at the market for an alternative place to invest my money. At least it's not for a 2007/08 ISA so they can't say I'm out of time...

Lokolo

Ha formal complaint. I did one of those about a month ago, my ISA opened a week later (coincedence?) and they said they would respond by 6th June (today). Got a letter today saying they are still dealing with my complaint and would respond by 3rd July!

deep_pockets

deep_pockets wrote: »

my original letter of complaint dated 08th may,holding letter(TO STALL FOR TIME) received dated 13th may stating same as lokola, i will hear from them no later than 05th june.

looks like the poor old posties will be very busy tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

already lined up my next letter of complaint to the banking ombudsman ready to go in post if do not hear tomorrow.

barclays have had more than enough time to sort this out.

well barclays letter arrived today(1 day later than promised) same as lokola they expect me to NOW wait up to the 03rd july. i dont think so it does not take 2 months to investigate a complaint even if your customer services is as crap as BARCLAYS!!

needless to say the letter is in the post as promised to the banking ombudsman

TMBH

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!
Went into local branch and not being a customer had to come back for a meeting with financial adviser. That all went well, opened a current account and a savings account to put my £3600 in whilst the ISA was opened.

My current account and saving account were opened that day and I deposited the money there and then. Within a week I had received written confirmation of open accounts and online access.

I got a letter dated 15th April 2008 stating that my ISA application had been received and that due to high demand there may be a delay in opening your account but if there were any problems they would contact me via letter or phone. (they never did)

Well here we are 7th June 2008 STILL NOT OPENED.:mad:

I have made a complaint at the end of May and received a letter stating that my complaint was being forwarded to the relevant department and to expect a response by 25th June 2008.:mad:

I am seething with anger!:mad:

fatfingers_2

My application for 07/08 was also rejected.. Made an official complain and finally received a reply last week!
Barclays gave me £220 as a compensation so I'm no longer angry!!

chambta

Has anyone had their interest backdated to cover the delay? There was some talk of interest being calculated from 14 days after application, which in my case was the 21st of April.

My cheque finally hit the ISA around 5wks after this date. I estimate that based on my full £3600 I'm owed around £22.
The branch staff who appear to know very little about the bank's stance on this asked me to call back in a few days to see if anything has been added but I'd be staggered if it has.

DUS

TMBH wrote: »

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!

I second that. 10 weeks since the application was sent, 2 complaints filed, no response received and no ISA account opened.

Not sure it´s a consolation that so many people experience the same prob, though. :mad:

mk_wotsit

Phew! I've had a lucky escape...I was oblivious to all this hassle. We applied online (existing Barclays customers) in March and it all came thru within a week. Went to the local branch in April to bung away this years allowance...no probs.
For once, I must have beaten the rush

Hope you all get sorted soon!