topic Barclays Bank Phone Call..Turned the tables a bit in Credit Cards

Barclays Bank Phone Call..Turned the tables a bit

ECHOBOI4U — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:13:08 GMT

I just got a phone call from a lady at Barclay's Bank for my US Aireways Mastercard. She said that they were concerned that I rarely use the card and pay it off (so no interest accrues) and that I opened 2 new credit account recently. I told her, "yeah I know." I told her the reason is that Barclays rate jacked us to 26% with a good credit history and that a CLD in Jan. caused to reevaluate the need for Barclays bank in our lives. I told her that Capital One and our credit union were so nice to actually appreciate us as customers and give us better interest rates, terms and agree not to take adverse action against us just because of the economy (I.E. CLD). She stopped, paused and said, what can they do to help. I told her I will be honest. I told her that unless she can work some magic to get a higher credit line AND dramatically reduce our APR down (gave her a fair number based on our payment history and tenure with them and other creditors - and my credit score), we would not be with them much longer since I am currently "tending and weeding out the credit garden" at home. She said that she would see what they could do, but I know Barclay's. They don't love customers, they just care about their bottom line all the time. I don't expect much. I honestly expect to make the call next month to say, "Sorry, were done with your lending agency. Bubeye." They closed my partners account for no reason except to say that they wanted to with a clear and clean credit record and payment/account history. They were quite rude during that call which was on speaker with both of us. Their CS is generally abrasive and down right terrible. We are migrating towards local credit cards (CUs) only in the near future.

Re: Barclays Bank Phone Call..Turned the tables a bit

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:46:37 GMT

Good for you! I look forward to the day when we, in this house, can do the same. I did it a few years ago and it was a satisfying feeling, indeed. Household (Orchard) asked what they could do and I said how about a rate improvement? They offered something like 19% to 17% and I said, "not good enough." On another card they offered to take my credit limit from $300 to $400. (HA!) On both counts, I said, "Just cancel."

Re: Barclays Bank Phone Call..Turned the tables a bit

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:03:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
They offered something like 19% to 17% and I said, "not good enough." On another card they offered to take my credit limit from $300 to $400. (HA!) On both counts, I said, "Just cancel."

WOW......you did the right thing canceling them. That's HSBC/Household/Orchard for you....WOW $300 to an increase of $400....Unbelievable hell a person could just pay cash.

King

Message Edited by 74king on 06-15-2009 01:03 PM

Re: Barclays Bank Phone Call..Turned the tables a bit

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:32:49 GMT

I keep getting emails and snail mail that my Juniper card has a *special offer* for a balance xfer at my low rate of 8.99% but that offer will expire next month. Are they thinking of rate jacking me? The BT rate has always been 8.99%. I've got no problem cutting them off. I never pay them interest. I got the worst customer service after my card was run up after reporting it stolen. It went over the limit and I was rate jacked to 28.99%. CS told me that since I went over the limit, blah, blah. I explained the situation. The CSR had the nerve to tell me that I should have made a pymt on the account to prevent OTL fees. I had only charged $30 and my account was locked b/c of fraud. After spending hours on the phone and sending secure messages online, I log in to find my rate back at 8.99%. This was after I threatened to cancel the card. I didn't have the best credit then, but I knew I deserved better.

Re: Barclays Bank Phone Call..Turned the tables a bit

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:21:54 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I keep getting emails and snail mail that my Juniper card has a *special offer* for a balance xfer at my low rate of 8.99% but that offer will expire next month. Are they thinking of rate jacking me? The BT rate has always been 8.99%. I've got no problem cutting them off. I never pay them interest. I got the worst customer service after my card was run up after reporting it stolen. It went over the limit and I was rate jacked to 28.99%. CS told me that since I went over the limit, blah, blah. I explained the situation. The CSR had the nerve to tell me that I should have made a pymt on the account to prevent OTL fees. I had only charged $30 and my account was locked b/c of fraud. After spending hours on the phone and sending secure messages online, I log in to find my rate back at 8.99%. This was after I threatened to cancel the card. I didn't have the best credit then, but I knew I deserved better.

Maybe...but i suspect.....a rate jack is in store. They have been known to do this in the past.

King