Barclays - only self service on Saturdays nowadays - fucking annoying!

[AngryHedgehog]

Maybe I'm behind the times but I remember when I used to be able to pop into the bank on Saturday morning.

Lost my wallet today and was assured by Barclays I could withdraw cash in branch with ID or using the app. Thing is, I work Mon-Fri like most people so won't be able to get in tomorrow.

Checked online and 8/10 of my local branches are pop up 'Local' branches which is basically just a room in a library etc which doesn't offer cash services. The only two proper branches (both a fair drive away) only offer self service on a Saturday. I thought "oh well, I'll have to drive half hour into city centre" but that one's the same.

So basically I'm fucked until my new card arrives sometime next week. Got no food in house and had a busy weekend planned.

Maybe people just don't bank instore anymore, hence them removing this option, but it just seems useless for anyone that doesn't work close enough to go to a bank on their lunchbreak.

Is this just Barclays or is this the new standard? I'd probs consider switching after 20 years if it meant I could actually sort stuff like this on a weekend.

Most of ours have closed. The only one in a big town. Open 10-3 Mon to Fri. Closed on Saturday. It's annoying. I was 1 minute late arriving this week, doors locked.

Do you use the app? Some banks have contactless cash facility? You'd maybe have to add your new card details but these should appear on the app as soon as the card is produced, very quickly for you to use.

I think the problem is it is simply not worth catering for the odd person who ends up in a situation like yours albeit I can absolutely understand how inconvenient it is for you.

I can’t remember the last time I went into a branch. I switched my main current account about 10 years ago and have never been in one of their branches.

Can you log into your account online at all? If so, can you ask a family member or friend to withdraw the cash equivalent of a sum of money you transfer to their own account? Takes around 15 minutes to transfer. Or if you log in and can get your account details, maybe you can book an online supermarket shop?

It's a service the majority of people just don't use anymore so it's not cost effective to provide.

Wallet pay updates within 24 hours of new card being issued or transfer to someone else who can give you cash

Can you transfer some money to a family member so they can withdraw it for you?

Can you not use Google pay or order a shop on line for delivery or click & collect? I haven't had reason to go into a physical branch in years!

If you have Apple or Google pay, you may find that your new card automatically updates straight away, as it does with my bank.

Join a bank that is open late, like Metro.

I do bank online but can't for large cheques unfortunately.

Yeah, got the app and looked like I was going to be able to use phone to make cash withdrawals from ATM. Was trying to follow their online instructions but couldn't see the options in the app menu. Turns out they cancelled that service last year too! 😫

Only option now is to transfer money to a workmate and get them to withdraw. But I need my card to approve a payee so going to have to mess around on the phone with customer service and probs sit in a queue for my whole lunchbreak to sort. But it's a solution at least.

I chose banks who have branches in the town I work in, so if I needed to I can pop it at lunch and get anything sorted

Barclays has gone down the pan, used to say it was the local bank. I don't bank online so struggling with their bank closes and reduced hours. No counter service on a Saturday is stupid. I moved in the end. Await new bank doing the same thing ...

That wouldn't work for me unfortunately because I need to be onsite all day - I usually take 4x15 min breaks. There's always the odd hour of downtime so in reality I do get a proper break but I need to be available onsite at all times really.

I had this with Barclays children's accounts. My DC are teens and want to transfer money to me sometimes. Because they are under 18, they have to go in person and set up the transfer facilury at the bank, it can't be done on the app. But the bank only has human beings in it Mon - Fri 10am to 3pm. We had to wait for the school holidays to set it up. I see why they're reducing staff but they then also stop insisting on things being done in person.

Really poor service op, potentially leaving you vulnerable without access to cash. I think all the banks are heading the same way. Those with a local branch open on a Saturday probably won't have for very long IMO.

Surely calling and making a transfer over the phone is LESS effort than driving 30 minutes to your branch to withdraw cash though?

This is why I use Monzo. Can't imagine having to verify a bank transfer with my Debit Card, what a faff!

Well, the driving was going to be done outside of work hours. I could do without spending 30 mins waiting in a queue during the workday tbh, but at least I'll be sorted for bank holiday now providing I can find a workmate to nip to bank on their lunchbreak.

Did you think they should have remained open to serve you? Whilst I agree that the service from banks (if you are lucky enough to find one still open) is now minimal, a real bugbear of mine is people who turn up to shops/banks/retail outlets at closing time. Also bank security dictates that there should not be any customers in the banking hall after closing time which means they can't close the doors if you are inside. If you go in one minute late, some poor buggar has to stand by the door to stop other people following suit, delaying the closing procedures and therefore thr time staff can get home.

Waiting for the topic 'CF workmate wants me to go to bank for them on my lunchbreak'. 🤣🤣🤣

We recently opened starling bank accounts, was open within a few hours and card details then could be added to Apple Wallet.

Would that be an option for you? You could just transfer some money in from your main bank account to use with Apple Pay, if you have an iPhone. Not sure if you can use digital wallet with other phones

Well, obviously I would go whilst they were open.

Not UK, but we've a similar problem. Branches have closed or don't open Saturday. Most are now cashless anyway. We occasionally have bank crashes where no one can pay for anything from a particular bank, either.

My solution is to have accounts with two banks. Our savings go into the second bank. This way we're not reliant on one card/bank. It's saved me a few times!

My comment was to Justasking

do you use Apple Pay/ google pay? Most banks allow you to use your card there before you receive the actual card.

there are also ways that they can get money out of your account without needing a counter.

I get your frustration but you are behind the times. Most banks haven’t had a counter service on a Saturday for over a decade. If you haven’t noticed it shows that it is a service that you can’t expect a bank to have.