I just spent 40 minutes on the phone to Barclays getting passed from person to person, sitting on hold or listening to phones ringing out before hanging up and trying again.
Eventually, I phoned the same line I’d phoned the first time (where I had been told they couldn’t help me) and vented my frustration at the person at the other end, who suddenly found they could help me immediately.
The whole thing came as a nasty shock because it is a year since I had to call Barclays. The Co-op are so friendly and efficient, I’d forgotten the hell of a Barclays telephone banking experience.
If you happen to be considering opening a new bank account, may I suggest you choose The Co-op and give Barclays a miss?
BTW Barclays use an Indian call centre. I actually have no problem whatsoever with companies using Indian call centres, but would Barclays please tell their staff to stop being so cloyingly deferential?! I don’t phone up to relive the days of The British Empire and I don’t want to be spoken to like I’m a slave master. Apologizing for the inconvenience of my having called is unnecessary and rings hollow, especially when it comes before my name has even been asked and when, out of three people, only one managed to get my title right. Personally, I prefer to be called by my name, but if they must use my title, at least use the right one!
