Credit Where Credit's Not Wanted!

Blog: Norfolk Single Dad
Posted by: Eddie2sox Thursday 1st March 2007, 3:37pm
Last edited 01/03/2007 3:37pm by Eddie2sox

Or.....how to cancel your credit cards in one "easy" hit....

Today I was ploughing through the last month's mail, and decided to cancel some old unused credit card accounts once and for all. When I was with Sam's mum we opened credit card accounts to take advantage of their free balance transfers and shuffle the same £1400 around for a while. I was shocked this morning to finally count the accounts - five of them! All with zero balances now I am debt free, but with HUGE potential......the total credit available to me, instantly, was £18,800, unbelievable. The cards are long since cut up and binned and the monthly statements have been going straight through the shredder.....

Here's how I got on cancelling the accounts completely:

Lloyds TSB

Called at 1408, answered by Efficient Francis. After a few security questions she finally asked why I'd called then told me she couldn't close accounts and I would have to call the Customer Value Unit. Nice Patricia answered, asked me the same security questions, then cancelled the account. Both ladies asked me why I wanted to stop using their services, to which my standard answer to all the companies was "I'm starting nursing training soon and want ALL temptations removed". Just before hanging up Patricia wished me good luck with the training. Call ended 1426.

Egg

Called at 1446, answered by Happy Lauren. Two security questions, then the account was closed, call ended 1449, top marks!

Virgin

Called at 1450, 3 minutes worth of "press 2 if you're still alive" etc. Eventually Polite Nicole told me that she couldn't close an account, I had to call the Closures Department. At 1455 Bodacious Jacqueline answered, and apologised for the delay, telling me that hers was a very busy department today, so many people were calling to speak to her. What a nice lady, with a very seductive telephone manner! She also asked why I wanted to close the account, and when I told her we had a brief chat about how her mum had just finished her nursing diploma too, and she started when she was 35, so I will be able to manage too "as long as you do all your homework". Call ended 1457 with a really cheery "Good luck Simon"!

MBNA

Called at 1458. On hold until 1505 when Stressed Wendy put me through to the Closures Department. Cheeky Rob asked why I wanted to cancel, and was the first person to try to persuade me to keep the account open - only once though and he gave up after that one try. Call ended 1507 with another "good luck with the training".

Barclaycard

Called at 1508. Indian call centre, I could barely understand the lady on the other end. I did however pick up "system problems, please give us a call after one hour", then she put the phone down!

In Summary

So, my findings are that calling these people is frustrating while you're ploughing through the automatic options, but once you get through to the operators they are all efficient, and nearly all actually warm human beings (wouldn't mind finding out exactly how warm Virgin's Jacqueline is!).

All, that is, except Barclaycard!

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