Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
Apr 7th 2011, 9:20 am
#31
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
Are you talking about Nationwide Building Society? If so, I'm pretty sure that I would have to be in the UK to get an account from them, and have a residence there also.
Edit: I don't know how I forgot this, but I did use the card between 2004 - 2008 on multiple occasions, in fact I spent £35,000 using it.
Edit: I don't know how I forgot this, but I did use the card between 2004 - 2008 on multiple occasions, in fact I spent £35,000 using it.
So it might be worth talking to them during your next trip to the UK.
Apr 7th 2011, 9:39 am
#32
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,176
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
Yes, Nationwide Building Society. I don't know if they will object to your not having a UK residence when opening the account, but they didn't bat an eye at changing our address from our UK one to our US one (we signed some paperwork in person for this), or changing it to a different US address online when we moved out of our apartment, or sending us renewed debit cards in the US as needed, or even sending me tax refund paperwork a few weeks ago when I requested it online.
So it might be worth talking to them during your next trip to the UK.
So it might be worth talking to them during your next trip to the UK.
Apr 8th 2011, 7:54 am
#33
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,259
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
I was mad at Barclays myself earlier this week.
I had changed address (within the US) so wrote to them to inform them of the change.
They sent a letter back saying they couldn't accept the change of address since 'your signature does not match the one we have on file'.
Firstly, what a load of crap, my signature hasn't changed in 25 years. Secondly...(you know what's coming...right?)...guess where they sent the letter....that's right - to the address I just told them I no longer lived at! Fortunately a family member still collects mail at the old address.
In this age of ID theft, that's downright moronic. Fair enough if they don't want to accept my signature....but since I just told them that I'd moved, why not at least try and CALL me first to sort this out.
Ludicrous.
I had changed address (within the US) so wrote to them to inform them of the change.
They sent a letter back saying they couldn't accept the change of address since 'your signature does not match the one we have on file'.
Firstly, what a load of crap, my signature hasn't changed in 25 years. Secondly...(you know what's coming...right?)...guess where they sent the letter....that's right - to the address I just told them I no longer lived at! Fortunately a family member still collects mail at the old address.
In this age of ID theft, that's downright moronic. Fair enough if they don't want to accept my signature....but since I just told them that I'd moved, why not at least try and CALL me first to sort this out.
Ludicrous.
Apr 8th 2011, 7:57 am
#34
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 221
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
Barclays required that in '88
Apr 9th 2011, 7:27 am
#35
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: St Louis Park, Minnesota
Posts: 109
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
You don't need your card to withdraw money from Barclay's when you get to the UK by the way - just drop in to the branch with ID and your account details and they'll happily hand over the money. Trust me - I currently work there.
But.....I don't understand why you need a card.....am the only one that doesn't get the frustration?
But.....I don't understand why you need a card.....am the only one that doesn't get the frustration?
Apr 9th 2011, 7:34 am
#36
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 221
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
You don't need your card to withdraw money from Barclay's when you get to the UK by the way - just drop in to the branch with ID and your account details and they'll happily hand over the money. Trust me - I currently work there.
But.....I don't understand why you need a card.....am the only one that doesn't get the frustration?
But.....I don't understand why you need a card.....am the only one that doesn't get the frustration?
Plus when I tell the beggars that I have no change, I won't be lying.
Last edited by pTeronaut; Apr 9th 2011 at 7:36 am.
Apr 9th 2011, 10:07 am
#37
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: St Louis Park, Minnesota
Posts: 109
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
Fair do's!!!
If you have an address in the UK your card should be with you within 2-3 working days. I don't know if you can have one sent to branch when you get to the UK.....
I should know this. But I don't.
If you have an address in the UK your card should be with you within 2-3 working days. I don't know if you can have one sent to branch when you get to the UK.....
I should know this. But I don't.
Apr 9th 2011, 12:29 pm
#38
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,176
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
how come the branch can't "print" one up on site? the missus can at her current place.
Apr 10th 2011, 3:36 am
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: St Louis Park, Minnesota
Posts: 109
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
Barc can't even print out statements there and then, so cards you have no chance. 
Apr 14th 2011, 7:34 am
#41
Banned
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: In my little world ....
Posts: 11,351
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
Don't have an account with Barclays, but their ATMs sure came in handy as far as cash while I was in the UK, as Bank of America with whom I have an account, is tied in with them 
Apr 14th 2011, 7:39 am
#42
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 221
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
From what I have read, Barclays had some ownership of Bank Of America, if they had branches in Indiana, especially in Lafayette, I would have opened an account with them specifically for this purpose.
Apr 14th 2011, 3:43 pm
#43
MCROW
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Rural Georgia
Posts: 978
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
My US bank are used to me doing it twice a month when I take out my pension that's paid into Barclays.
Apr 14th 2011, 6:11 pm
#44
Banned
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 1
Re: Oh how I hate Barclays Bank.
In '88 I opened an account with Barclays after a bad situation with an overdraft with the then Midlands Bank, an account which I have kept open despite being ~4,000 miles away from my nearest branch.
All has been well, until last year, when my debit card expired. Because I haven't used it enough ( ~2 times since july 08, but the zero times between feb 03 & june 08 didn't seem to bother them), they chose not to renew it. And for me to get a new one, I will have to go to a branch and fill out an application for a new one.
Fine, if I have to go to a branch while I am vacationing in the UK this October it will be to close the account. Or shall I just draw out the remaining balance and leave it empty ? (I have an agreed overdraft, so they may keep the account open for a while)
I think that it is stupid for a bank to not renew a debit card on the grounds of lack of use as it only costs them pennies to press and program the replacement.
Now that I don't have a means of storing my vacation spending money in the UK, and now am prone to fluctuation exchange rates, and my local bank's fees, aside from travelers checks, are they any other means to move money to the UK and have convenient plastic access to it?
All has been well, until last year, when my debit card expired. Because I haven't used it enough ( ~2 times since july 08, but the zero times between feb 03 & june 08 didn't seem to bother them), they chose not to renew it. And for me to get a new one, I will have to go to a branch and fill out an application for a new one.
Fine, if I have to go to a branch while I am vacationing in the UK this October it will be to close the account. Or shall I just draw out the remaining balance and leave it empty ? (I have an agreed overdraft, so they may keep the account open for a while)
I think that it is stupid for a bank to not renew a debit card on the grounds of lack of use as it only costs them pennies to press and program the replacement.
Now that I don't have a means of storing my vacation spending money in the UK, and now am prone to fluctuation exchange rates, and my local bank's fees, aside from travelers checks, are they any other means to move money to the UK and have convenient plastic access to it?
Get an fx exchange card. There are free and is a pre paid card and don't any money exchange commission
