Nationwide - Weird and annoying policies

Matt83UK_2

I had a balance on my Nationwide Credit Card of £1.5k that I payed off via an online bank transfer last week. I went to use my card 6 days later to get a small cash advance, not the best money saving plan but I couldn't find my cash card and for £1.50 I wasn't spending ages searching when other events were awaiting, card declined, thought weird, so then I try another machine (different bank) and same again.

I got in and called Nationwide and they said "sir, you have over 50% of your credit balance as a cash advance and we only allow a maximum of 50%", I thought weird and explained that I probably never had more than a hundred pound in cash advances over the six months I've had the card, everything was a purchase (and I don't mean foreign exchange or gambling). He was sure that I had, so I asked to speak to supervisior, a few minutes later after being on hold he came back and said, because your recent deposit we apply it as a cash advance until it properly clears.

I asked for him to explain ask as at this point I was seriously confused, the fact that it had been paid 6 days ago, I eventually understood and asked him to clarify a few things:

1) If I hadn't paid off any of my balance whatsoever then a cash advance would be no problem today? "Yes that's correct sir

2) So in other words because I've paid off most of my balance you are my penalising me? "No quite sir, but I can understand ..."

3) So because this payment has cleared with BoS it now needs a further four working days to clear with you? "Yes that's correct sir, we take longer than banks because we have to process BACS payments via another bank"

4) So at the point the money has cleared with your clearing bank, do you not have enough trust with them to accept the payment as cleared? I mean I have just as much chance of getting the payment back from Natwest CC as I would do via your clearing bank, I don't see where the risk is.. "Err.. no sir"

5) Is there anything you can do so that I can withdraw £20 today, press a button on the screen.. "No sir.."

6) How about in future you wait until the payment is "properly cleared" (as you define it) before putting it on my card as a bloody cash advance, at least then I won't be truely screwed for being a good consumer and paying my balance.. "Err.. sorry sir"

Completely stupid. *ends rant*

avi_3

I second that. Payed of part of my balance 3 days ago and today tried to use the card, but was declined. When called they said the funds haven't cleared yet.
What nonsense and utterly supidity. Feel like we are in the 1800's.

ceebee_2

I've had my own battles with Nationwide concerning c/c payments but I wonder what would have been the result if you had paid off the N/W c/c via their own bank viz. Flexaccount. Must try it one day.

Stonk

Does this mean that if you have a limit of £2,000 with a £1,500 balance, and you pay it off in full, you are breaking their rules about max 50% cash advance?!

Nuts.

Matt83UK_2

Stonk,

Yes it does, I was told I had broke the rules (well not quite in those terms, you're allowed blah however... ), and treated like a piece of poo, till I spoke to supervisor and went on hold and then they eventually realised it was their dodgy 80's style workaround, still screwed though.

pin

Have to agree that sometimes NW is more in the past and some of the ways it does things are a bit annoying. However they are still the best for foreign transactions and I will have to stick with them for that.

Robert_Sterling_3

Nationwide ... Proud to be different !

robnye

they are not the only ones.....
i recently switched to a new 0% deal CC, my first payment to them was by cheque, which cleared my ban account in 4 days,......... 2 days after cheque clearing my bank, my wife tried to use the card...... declined 6 times in 3 different shops..... by this time she was well miffed (as you can imagine - out shopping, but cant buy anything),
when i contacted them, i was told, that the payment did show on the account (and on the telephone balance, but wasnt cleared on the system..... they have a double entry system, the payment would take another 3 working days before it cleared...... so they had my money for 5 days before they allow it to clear their system........ what a load of !!!!!!, so now we pay by switch over the phone, payment clears their system in 4 days..........

and they say technology is wonderful..... no wonder all of the banks/building soc. are worried about the new rules regarding bank/cheque payments..........