Fleaflyfloflum

Once you have a bank account in UK and have put yourself on the electoral register somewhere, you will need to start applying for credit to get yourself a rating. Please do make sure that getting on the register is your first priority, even if it is just a relatives address to start with.
As we all know, getting credit is easier said than done, because if you havent already bought stuff you dont have a rating and usually get refused.
I just thought I would let you know that I managed to get a credit account with Next catalogue when i was back there recently. I managed to buy a duvet, kettle and curtains. No questions were asked and i received the goods within 24hrs!!
I also managed to get a new latop and dongle contract at Carphone Warehouse.

I thought it might be a good idea to list companies who seem able to offer us new homecomers some form of credit to get us going with a credit rating.

So, I shall start by lisitng

Next
Carphone Warehouse

sans

Utility Ware House are doing some good packages, on gas/elec/phone and internet. As long as you have 4 including landline, you get 75mins free calls to other Uk landlines.

Also just been offered a 70% morgage through ABBEY on self cert

Jerseygirl

I've had no trouble getting a UK CC...just had to send council tax and utility bills to prove address.

Fleaflyfloflum

Well done Sans. You did good getting a mortgage in this financial climate

Fleaflyfloflum

I havent tried for a credit card yet. I do have my UK Visa debit with Lloyds. I was too scared to apply in case they refused LOL.
I shall give it a go when I eventually get back there again.

Maybe it depends on your bank balance too. I just read all the time about how hard it is for new returnees to get any form of credit so decided to let people know it is possible.
They do advise that you start making purchases on credit even if you dont really need it just to get yourself going.
The really odd thing was that I was refused a 3 mobile phone contract, which I found totally bizarre seeing as the dongle contract with laptop from Carphone Warehouse is with 3 mobile!! Go figure

Jerseygirl

I didn't close my UK bank or building society accounts when I left the UK. I also kept my UK credit card...but stores in the UK will only deliver to the address on the CC records and ours address is the US. So as soon as I had a UK address I applied for a M&S CC...took about 3 weeks to come through.

Marmalade

Good information for me when I move back next year. I have an Abbey National account that I have kept open since I left in 1987, so hopefully that will be of help.

Flea ~ cute pic of your granddaughter, she's adorable

sans

It wasn't easy I was told no chance by several morgage advisors and was refused by afew.......Then i found the right morgage advisor Yay!! Its been fast tracked as well Valuers are going in next wk ... still got fingers crossed
that nothing goes wrong before hand

Marmalade

Very good news, good luck Sans

sans

Thanks M

BristolUK

I have kept my two c/cards from the UK. Very handy here. They are both active. I noticed the other day that the credit limit on one has been increased even though I was using (and clearing) a fraction (under 10%) of the credit limit.

SarahInTX

I was turned down by T-Mobile for a dongle because I didn't have a landline. I haven't tried getting a phone contract here. Doing pay-as-you-go for the time being.

meljor

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a dongle?

Fleaflyfloflum

Thanx Marmalade. Yes she is adorable. I miss her like crazy.

Meljor. A dongle is a small device that you plug into your laptop and it gives you internet access wherever you are. In UK they are giving away free laptops with every dongle contract! Although its not technically free as you are paying for it in you monthly bill.
I loved mine when i was there. I could go sit in the park and use it.

whereamifrom

I have not tried carphware... But they do ask for length of employment, don't they? That is my next aim, once I can get barclays to send my new debit card to the right address...grrrrrrrr.