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Original poster

To actually use my debit card?

64 replies

Dailymaildailyfail · 25/02/2017 19:47

Barclays Bank has been "down" since 2pm. I discovered this whilst sat with DC in a restaurant trying to pay for the lunch we'd just eaten. No cash on me, even cash machine not working. Cue a very awkward and cringe chat with the manager trying to explain to them that I did have funds to pay (desperately showing them my bank account online to prove it) and ended up with me leaving my address and ID and assuring them I'd come back to pay tomorrow.

Then I had to attempt to leave the multi story carpark with £5 in cash and a £6 ticket cost......

Happy Saturday to all Barclays customers!

OP posts:
Passmethecrisps · 25/02/2017 20:13

Yikes. This is a real fear of mine as all our bank accounts are with the same bank. Was it RBS this happened to before? I now have a credit card with a tiny amount of available credit on but I do worry about it

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 25/02/2017 20:13

This has happened to me with Natwest a few times now. I called up to complain as I had just done a full weeks shop at the supermarket and had to walk away shamed faced and without biscuits any dinner. Anyway, they were very nice about it and gave me £50 compensation for the inconvenience.

DurhamDurham · 25/02/2017 20:16

I used my Barclays debit card in three separate stores, it was OK in two and declined the first time in the third but when the cashier tried again it was ok. It was after 2pm as well. Would mine have gone through because they were small amounts, the most was £15?

bigearsthethird · 25/02/2017 20:16

Definately complain op, I complained once to Barclays because of something they hadn't done and they promised £25 for my trouble. Then didn't pay it so I rang again a week later and they gave me the £25 and another £25 for having to call back . Result! Worth a call!

Original poster
Dailymaildailyfail · 25/02/2017 20:21

I'm definitely going to complain- especially as we had plans this evening which had to be shelved as we couldn't even get cash out to pay babysitter. Just shows you it means nothing being loyal to one bank- I have all my accounts with Barclays and it shows it's just not safe anymore. Still mortified but plenty of people on Twitter in much more hideous situations- stranded at stations not being able to buy tickets and get home, and people not being able to topup their electricity!

OP posts:
jennielou75 · 25/02/2017 20:24

My amazon payment didn't go through but I was able to get cash out.

Crusoe · 25/02/2017 20:27

My Amazon payment failed too. I then spent 15 minutes in a phone queue to Barclays for them to tell me the problem "might" be with them but they had no idea at all when it might be fixed.

SouthWestmom · 25/02/2017 20:28

Different stores have different limits they check at which is why some of the transactions will have been fine.

PointxTaken · 25/02/2017 20:29

this is exactly why I have several bank accounts (they are free in the UK). I travel for work, and cannot be stranded because of the incompetence of one of the banks. I am hoping that they will not ALL get blocked at the same time.

CorporalNobbyNobbs · 25/02/2017 20:30

I wouldn't have been embarrassed - the pizza place would have known the Barclays issue so should have understood not your fault.

It's rubbish isn't it. All my cards are with same bank and I never carry much cash so I'd be fecked if this happened too..

HungryHorace · 25/02/2017 20:31

I used my Barclaycard at 3pm without any problem.

Sparklingbrook · 25/02/2017 20:47

I don't think credit cards were affected Horace, just connect cards.

bionicant · 25/02/2017 20:52

Dh's card took a few goes to work today today online it's really bad !

HungryHorace · 25/02/2017 20:54

Ah, the OP did say credit cards in one of her posts, Sparkling. That'll be why I was fine then!

ratspeaker · 25/02/2017 20:58

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39091309
Been reported by BBC

Notanotherpawpatrol · 25/02/2017 21:01

I used a Barclay's debit card at 3pmish no problem Confused how very odd! Thanks for the heads up though, it's normally he only one i carry on me. Will take out my other one tomorrow just incase!

socksville · 25/02/2017 21:40

It's always worth having more than one account for situations like this. My barclays card didn't work today but luckily I have accounts with Lloyds and Nationwide so I just paid with a different card.

Sparklingbrook · 25/02/2017 21:47

I would have used a credit card.

I am still Angry for DS2.

Hadenoughoftumble · 25/02/2017 21:49

I was in Tesco at about 5.15ish and there was an announcement on the tannoy system warning Barclays customers that their cards wouldn't work at the card machines. There were many disgruntled customers abandoning their trolleys in the aisles.

bionicant · 25/02/2017 21:56

sparking maybe get him into the habit of always carrying a tenner just in case. when i was in the brownies we were taught to always have 2p for a phone call Grin i feel bad for your son too though, for a kid it's motifying!

Sparklingbrook · 25/02/2017 21:59

Yes that's a good idea bionicant. I offered to drive into town to take him some money but he said not to bother.

He did go into the Barclays branch and they told him it was a 'nationwide problem' but I guess they couldn't help him with getting cash out. Or could they? It's one of those all automated branches with just staff with ipads milling about.

melj1213 · 25/02/2017 21:59

There were many disgruntled customers abandoning their trolleys in the aisles.

This makes me more angry - it's not Tesco's fault that their bank fucked up but now they have to deal with returning all the abandoned shopping to their shelves. I work in a supermarket and it's bad enough putting back the stuff that gets left on a normal day, never mind if there were multiple walkouts mid-shop because their cards wouldn't work.

I'm not saying that they should return everything to the shelves but at least put cold stuff in the fridges and tell a member of staff that you're leaving it.

luckycatclover · 25/02/2017 22:01

I work in a restaurant and we've had Barclays cards being declined all day, even for tiny amounts like 2.50 etc, there's definitely been an issue! In Yorkshire if that helps. Though one girl's boyfriend paid for theirs on another Barclays card that worked fine!

You have my sympathy, it must be shit and it's so embarrassing. I gave away lots of free coffees today Grin

Iamtheresurrection · 25/02/2017 22:05

I had this with RBS last October. Tried to withdraw cash whilst on holiday, got weird messages on the cash machine. Luckily my parents were with us and able to lend us money otherwise it would have been no dinner for us!

LuxuryWoman2017 · 25/02/2017 22:07

My card was declined in a shop and then at the atmosphere. 2nd time in a year. Luckily I had a bit of cash but it's embarrassing and you do worry your account has been compromised. Was relieved to see it in the news. Difficult if you have no cash or other cards.

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