Barclays

shifty_uk · 22 Nov 2009 at 21:30

Anyone tried to open an account with Barclays recently? More specifically, a student account?

I was told by a very nice branch manager that he would get the account setup with an overdraft, absolutely hassle free. He said he'd phone the next day with more details. This was nearly three weeks ago?

I've phoned 5 times to be told he's either off, unavailable or in a meeting. The lovely ladies I speak to also say they'll find out what the issue is yet fail to return my calls with any details. Apparently there's been issues opening student accounts in general?

Anyone else had any problems? I'll call once more tomorrow, if not I'm off to another bank with my details...

Berserker · 22 Nov 2009 at 21:37

They obviously found out your username. That'll be why. Denial is clearly the best policy.

Seriously, your best bet is to ask for an appointment in branch, take ID, and sort it on the spot. You're much more likely to succeed that way.

mac1st3 · 22 Nov 2009 at 21:38

Barclays are carp for student accounts, I was only allowed a £200 overdraft and when I went to ask about increasing it, they got me to basically balance my accounts, write down a list of incomevs outgoings, and when I was left with about £200 of my loan to live off/spare, they said I couldn't have the overdraft because "I didn't need it" :/ absolutely useless as a graduate account too, I get an extra £150 "reserve" which I get charged £22 for using should I go any amount into it

shifty_uk · 22 Nov 2009 at 21:39

Berserker said:
Seriously, your best bet is to ask for an appointment in branch, take ID, and sort it on the spot. You're much more likely to succeed that way.

I done that initially.

They have photocopies of everything, including all my income and outgoings.

shifty_uk · 22 Nov 2009 at 21:40

mac1st3 said:
Barclays are carp for student accounts, I was only allowed a £200 overdraft and when I went to ask about increasing it, they got me to basically balance my accounts, write down a list of incomevs outgoings, and when I was left with about £200 of my loan to live off/spare, they said I couldn't have the overdraft because "I didn't need it" :/ absolutely useless as a graduate account too, I get an extra £150 "reserve" which I get charged £22 for using should I go any amount into it

Fair enough, he basically said it should've be an issue getting me the max overdraft, which I needed to get away from HBOS.