Barclays Tax Haven ISA: Have you opened one?

skooby_2

Lokolo wrote: »

Because you can't open an ISA for the 08/09 tax year before the 08/09 tax year has begun...?

As I said I applied for the account online and I expected this to be open by the start if the new tax year, this was 6th April. I don't think is unreasonable for me two ring on 7th April to enquire about progress.

On the phone I was also told that the account would be open within 10 working days - that would have been by 21st April!!

Lokolo

skooby wrote: »

As I said I applied for the account online and I expected this to be open by the start if the new tax year, this was 6th April. I don't think is unreasonable for me two ring on 7th April to enquire about progress.

On the phone I was also told that the account would be open within 10 working days - that would have been by 21st April!!

Indeed and I got told 2 weeks on the 31st March but lifes a female dog unfortunately.

And I wouldn't expect there to be people working and opening accounts on a Sunday...

5foot6

I did apply 16/04/08, but not received the final document in the post yet.
Barclays did send a letter stating that the demand was high and it would take longer than anticipated. No news is good news !:rolleyes:

Lokolo

5foot6 wrote: »

I did apply 16/04/08, but not received the final document in the post yet.
Barclays did send a letter stating that the demand was high and it would take longer than anticipated. No news is good news !:rolleyes:

Unless its a letter saying you have won £1000 for no reason and theres a cheque with the letter written out in your name for £1000, with no strings attached. I am still waiting for that news though.

jovidaha

I visited my branch on Friday 25 April and was told they could not open an ISA in branch but would send off an application for me. However I could apply online as I am an existing customer. I applied the next day, 26th, and received an email acknowledgement. Today, 30th, I have received a letter from Barclays telling me that my Tax Haven ISA should be opened 'within approximately 4 weeks'. Furthermore the ISA will not start earning tax free interest and the 1% bounus until the account is opened. Meanwhile I have to keep the funds available in a lower earning account. It doesn't seem in Barclay's interest to speed things up!

Sylvia43

I applied at a branch on 3 April and received confirmation of receipt on 5 April. Received welcome pack on 26 April....fine so far. On checking the letter they have shown the opening date as being 21st April which to my mind was putting me into the 2008/09 tax year. Rang them and was assured that it was fine and records will show it was taken out prior to the new tax year. I have requested something in writing to that effect and also asked if there had been any other complaints on this. The answer was 'yes'. Hopefully, this will be rectified with confirmation of the correct date when opened, ie 3 April. This is my first experience with Barclays and not impressed!

fultime

MSE_Dan wrote: »

What's this about?

The Barclays Tax Haven ISA has been our top pick Cash ISA since the end of February, paying 6.5% AER (including a 1% bonus for twelve months). It's about to drop to 6.27%, but remains the highest payer around.

Barclays set a 14 day timescale for opening these accounts, and if it takes long than this, any interest will be backdated to the 14 day point once the account is fully open.

Yet we've heard some bad feedback on the setting-up process, with people still waiting for their accounts to open weeks after applying.

Let us know how it went for you...

We are trying to gauge the level of problems experienced. If you grabbed one of these ISAs, and have a few minutes to spare, please reply to this thread and let us know how it went for you.

Most important for us to know is when you applied, whether the account is open yet, and how long that process took.

Thanks folks,

Dan

[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

I applied online for mine on the 5th April, I have had an email acknowledgment but no letter and the account is still not open yet

joshm_2

Applied over the phone at end of March/beginning of April for 08/09 account (before new tax year had begun). Tried several times to do it online but just got a message saying this was not possible (so I'm surprised to hear that some people managed it). Received a letter dated 3rd April saying that application had been received and to expect a welcome pack, but have heard nothing since. As with others, I have my 3600 sitting in my current account held with them. I could open an e-savings account but when Barclays finally pull their finger out and withdraw funds, that will leave my account overdrawn. At this point I've no doubt they'll be double-quick in charging me. I will just rely on their word that they will back-date the interest.

brain68

I am not a barclays customer so i had to go into the bank to setup the ISA. I did that on March 18th, i then received a letter around the 30th saying they needed me to go into the branch with ID to confirm my identity. I had already done that on the 18th, the reason why the letter took so long to get to me was because the personal advisor forgot to put my house number on my application. I went into the bank the 2nd time and me and the personal advisor checked all the details on the computer system, they were all correct (apart from the lack of my house number).

I then received another letter saying that they needed me to go into the branch again to provide details of my address history. I was livid, today my opening payment has gone from my bank account into the ISA, so i'm sure its actually setup now!

Not impressed, if they wasnt the best interest payer i would have gone elsewhere

printer_3

Applied in branch on 17th March for 2008/2009 ISA. Few weeks later made a phone call to chase up. Told that the delay did not matter as the date of opening would be backdated to 6th April. ISA arrived 30 April showing date of opening as 25th April. Rang and made a complaint that it had not been back dated. After a lengthy phone call I was told the interest would be backdated and a cheque would be sent out to me for the interest from 5th April to 25th April.