Barclays Golden ISA feedback

A question about : Barclays Golden ISA feedback

Hi folks,

Barclays has just launched its new Golden ISA, paying 3.61% AER with a 1% bonus, and has been added to the Top Cash ISAs article.

However, previous incarnations of this in 2007 and 2008 came packaged with nightmarish customer service issues; so much so that we originally intended to warn people against the account if it re-emerged this year.

However, Barclays says it has massively upgraded the appliaction procedure, and promises to pay interest from the day of account opening, which would be a huge improvement on last year.

We want to find out if this stands up to MoneySaver's experiences. If you apply for this account, please click reply and let us know how it went.

Cheers

Dan

Best answers:

• We've already got two other threads regarding this.
  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...html?t=1538489
  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...html?t=1544463
• Just to say that despite last years co ck up (I, amongst others, never heard anything about my application), Barclays *seem* to have sorted out the application process for this. I did mine online last night in about 2 mins without any probs - I'm an existing customer. They finally seem to have got the application process right - and a compliment is not something I would give lightly about a bank!
• Hi Adambro,
  Thanks for your post. Before starting this, I saw the threads you have linked to and they are great discussions of the product itself. This thread is actually specifically to help us get feedback on the application process, to help us gauge how successful Barclay's customer service changes have been.
  Thanks
  Dan
• Simple and quick. I used online banking and got my Golden ISA account opened there and then.
• As I said on the other thread, my daughter (who banks online with Barclays) opened one in about five minutes. Could have been quicker but I was encouraging her to skim read the T&Cs ;-)
• I heard that this year the branch staff actually open the account whereas in previous years a form was printed then sent to Glasgow along with the cheque to be processed - is this correct?
• I'll be watching this thread with interest after the previous years farce.
  I noticed that applicants that already banked with Barclays seem to have less problems last year than those that didn't. I think this thread would be more meaningful if posters advised on if they already banked with Barclays.
• Have those who have opened the account online been able to tranfer funds into the account online? (Apart from the initial opening deposit)?
  As I recall a major drawback with the previous Barclays ISA's was that they did not allow any online transfers, only allowing you to service it with cash/cheque in branch or over the phone, for fear of you going over your annual limit!
• I signed up online this morning as an existing Barclay's customer. Took about 3 mins and the money was transferred instantly
• Got one about 2 hours after they came out. Discovered by accident and signed up online immediately as the funds were already in Barclays to transfer. All very simple! I wanted to get one for my wife online also but found that I couldn't whilst logged on using my name. We got one at the local branch for her so now I shall have to create a seperate log on account for my wife to check hers online.
• I understand that new to Barclays customers can open an ISA in branch and that existing customers can open in branch, telephone and online.
  In previous years, applications (and topping up, etc) were processed somewhere else, but this year, as Barclays are reluctant to receive the slap on their wrists they have previously received, they have invested money to make systems better for customers.
• I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to ask, but what does it mean by "it doesn't allow you to transfers in money from previous years' ISA cash"?
  I had a 1 year fixed rate ISA with Nationwide but the interested is 0.5% now and am looking to switch and put my 3,600 limit in before my time is up for this financial year. I am not currently a Barclay's customer but this ISA looks tempting.
• i've just applied for the barclays gold isa via my online account (i'm already a barclays accout holder) and i must say the process was extremely easy and hassle free. I had to answer a few simple questions, commit to an amount to invest, Ј1 at this point, and within seconds of pressing the apply button the account was open and showing in my online account summary.
  it was so easy and simple that i didnt even notice it was up and running until i called barclays about another query and they pointed it out to me. I was very surprised, as this is usually not like barclays at all.
  On another note which i need some advise on. This was the second ISA i opened this financial year. I forgot i opened one earlier this year with YBS. I did not put any money (other than Ј11 on opening) into the YBS account as the rate dropped too much when i opened the account. Having spoken to barclays about this they advised me in order for me to have their isa recognised for this finacial year i will need to close the YBS one.
  Does any one know if this is correct. I dont want to be in a situation whereby i close the YBS one and then the barclays one does not count for this year?
• Unbelievable! As an existing Barclays customer, I opened my Golden ISA online in about a minute and the account number and balance were immediately showing on my online records.
  I had such a bad experience last year trying to open an ISA with Barclays in April and by June still hadn't heard anything! Gave up in the end.
  Seems like they got the message and did something about it this year-