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Original poster

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

85 replies

AngryHedgehog · 23/05/2024 23:23

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.

OP posts:
saveforthat · 24/05/2024 07:45

Bank staff (in Lloyds anyway) are now being trained on how to stop people approaching the counter.

Wolfpa · 24/05/2024 07:48

CerealPonderer · 24/05/2024 07:36

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!

Are you not worried that Monzo have never made a profit and are being investigated for money laundering?

I can’t trust them with my money at the moment. If they receive a fine they are going under.

WestAtlantic · 24/05/2024 07:49

How well do you know your workmates? I'd definitely lend a colleague I'd known a long time £100 quid or so while they waited for a bank card. I wouldn't expect them to transfer me the money til later when they got their new card sorted. I appreciate not everyone has money to lend sitting around but plenty of people do.

Marmite27 · 24/05/2024 07:50

The last time I ordered a new card, it provided me with the details to add to Apple Pay and the like at that point. I presume so I could use the card before the physical one arrived.

NoWordForFluffy · 24/05/2024 07:52

AngryHedgehog · 24/05/2024 07:26

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.

Show quote history

Find somebody who has PayPal and send it that way. (Assuming you already have PayPal!)

Rewis · 24/05/2024 07:56

I'm from a relatively big city and we only have one branch of each major bank left. The opening times are mon-fri for a few hours during the day or booking only. And some of them don't carry cash at the bank anymore.

I misplaced my bank card last year and realised I'm screwed. After that I got Google pay and Revolut card as a backup in case I have to wait for a new card in the future.

justasking111 · 24/05/2024 07:57

saveforthat · 24/05/2024 07:40

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.

Show quote history

They used to open till 4pm. As for not wanting to stand by the door, tough. Our investments keep them in the job. Anyway someone stands by that door all day, directing you away from the counter to automatic paying in machines. You have to wait a week for an appointment to speak to an advisor just to open, close investment accounts.

justasking111 · 24/05/2024 07:59

saveforthat · 24/05/2024 07:45

Bank staff (in Lloyds anyway) are now being trained on how to stop people approaching the counter.

It's so annoying isn't it.

Hugosmaid · 24/05/2024 08:01

The branches are used by business. Mine is a nightmare. Only skeleton staff and always a massive queue to speak to the single woman on the desk whilst the few other staff members float around with iPads.

I’ve had several issues where I had to go in branch and needed human support - it’s a bloody nightmare.

somewhereovertherain · 24/05/2024 08:02

What’s a bank branch think there’s one in a town 20 miles away. But I know not of such a thing locally.

Carly944 · 24/05/2024 08:03

jolenethea · 23/05/2024 23:49

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

A lot of people don't use Google or apply pay as they are so unsafe.

Ive a lot of friends who work in bankng

they told me that Google pay is one of the worst things you can use . As there is no limit on it, and there are very little safety precautions.

Debit cards and credit cards have a limit on what you can spend on them in one day for example. For safety reasons.

Google pay doesn't.

So if you lost your phone. Someone can use Google pay to spend thousands and thousands on your phone

Jessie21 · 24/05/2024 08:06

@Carly944 that's not true - they need some form of protection e.g. your phone pin or Face ID.

KnickerlessParsons · 24/05/2024 08:08

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.

Switch to Nationwide. Their branches are open on Saturdays.

Carly944 · 24/05/2024 08:09

Jessie21 · 24/05/2024 08:06

@Carly944 that's not true - they need some form of protection e.g. your phone pin or Face ID.

It is true. I added a card to my Google wallet.

It is my bank card with the least money in it. So if I lose my phone I won't lost much money.

When I go to Google wallet it doesn't ask me for any pin or password. It goes straight to the card.

Jessie21 · 24/05/2024 08:09

@Carly944 that's your own lack of security then. Not the fault of Google wallet.

Stylishcooncil · 24/05/2024 08:11

Only option now is to transfer money to a workmate and get them to withdraw. But I need my card to approve a payee

Oh that's interesting, what do you do with the card to set up a bank transfer?

CerealPonderer · 24/05/2024 08:14

Are you not worried that Monzo have never made a profit and are being investigated for money laundering?

Not really, no.

I have a HSBC account too just in case of outages...and my savings aren't with Monzo anyway. But for day to day spending and budgeting they're top notch.

And most banks are being investigated for something big at some time or another anyway. But a lot of it doesn't make it into the media.

Carly944 · 24/05/2024 08:16

Jessie21 · 24/05/2024 08:09

@Carly944 that's your own lack of security then. Not the fault of Google wallet.

No. It is google wallets fault.

Security is set up on my phone that google wallet should ask for a pin/ fingerprint.

It doesn't most of the time.

If you look online, there are loads of stories of people saying that google wallet charged them money when they just stood with their phone near a bus ticket machine, or near a card machine in a shop.

These people didn't want to buy tickets. They didnt even open the google wallet app, enter a pin or enter a fingerprint.

They just stood near a ticket machine with their phone and google wallet bought tickets that they didn't want

They just stood near a card reader in a shop or near a ticket machine on a bus/train and their phone bought the tickets. They didn't want to buy the tickets. And google pay didn't ask them for any password or anything.

It's a very unsafe system
I don't use it at all anymore

ManchesterGirl2 · 24/05/2024 08:20

Charlie2121 · 23/05/2024 23:31

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.

I disagree, I think there is a big value in the bank existing even if we only use it occasionally. Knowing that there's someone who can help in an emergency, or a stressful life change like moving house, and that I can just go see them rather than get circled around a call centre, would push me to choose somewhere with a local branch.

Sadly all the banks in our town have now closed so I don't have that option 😒 And they weren't sitting there empty either, there were always customers when I went in.

TheFlis · 24/05/2024 08:24

DH and I opened our joint account with Metro Bank for this exact reason, their branches are open early and late on weekdays and all weekend.

DaisyHaites · 24/05/2024 08:32

Carly944 · 24/05/2024 08:03

A lot of people don't use Google or apply pay as they are so unsafe.

Ive a lot of friends who work in bankng

they told me that Google pay is one of the worst things you can use . As there is no limit on it, and there are very little safety precautions.

Debit cards and credit cards have a limit on what you can spend on them in one day for example. For safety reasons.

Google pay doesn't.

So if you lost your phone. Someone can use Google pay to spend thousands and thousands on your phone

Show quote history

Google and Apple Pay are safer than debit cards, which is why there is no limit.

There is two factor authentication (you need the device and your face/finger print/6 digit pass code) which is safer than just needing the card for contactless or 4 digit PIN.

And can be stopped remotely in a lot of cases.

It also shares less detail with retailers so harder for them to skim your card details.

Most of the time I only carry my phone as I am more likely to notice quickly if I lose it than a card, and it’s a more secure payment device.

Stylishcooncil · 24/05/2024 08:34

OP I think you should consider a second account with another bank, between DH and I was actually use 3 high street banks between us. It would give you the option to send yourself money, using an already set up payment, and withdraw it using your card.

Carly944 · 24/05/2024 08:35

DaisyHaites · 24/05/2024 08:32

Google and Apple Pay are safer than debit cards, which is why there is no limit.

There is two factor authentication (you need the device and your face/finger print/6 digit pass code) which is safer than just needing the card for contactless or 4 digit PIN.

And can be stopped remotely in a lot of cases.

It also shares less detail with retailers so harder for them to skim your card details.

Most of the time I only carry my phone as I am more likely to notice quickly if I lose it than a card, and it’s a more secure payment device.

Show quote history

Google pay does NOT always ask for a pass code or fingerprint

Look online.

There are thousands of people who have said that they literally just stood in a shop or near a ticket machine, and google pay on their phone bought something that they didn't want.

They said they didn't open the app, and that google pay did not ask for a fingerprint or password, before it bought a purchase

DaisyHaites · 24/05/2024 08:36

Stylishcooncil · 24/05/2024 08:11

Only option now is to transfer money to a workmate and get them to withdraw. But I need my card to approve a payee

Oh that's interesting, what do you do with the card to set up a bank transfer?

I think Barclays might still have PINSentry where you have a little card reader at home that generates a security number for a new PAYE.

OP you should probably look to open an account with pretty much any other bank (Halifax, Chase and HSBC for example all allow bank transfers without your card). You’ll also then have a back up debit card for a separate account you can transfer money to if you lose one card.

Carly944 · 24/05/2024 08:37

As I said, I have a lot of friends that work in fraud departments in banking.

They told me that google/ apple pay is by far the least safe method of payment. And that it is often targeted by scammers for this reason.