Consumer complaint received 2024-03-03
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Company: BARCLAYS BANK DELAWARE (MN)

Barclay card promised a promo rate of 3.99 % of purchases during a time period. The verbiage used initially implies that those purchases made during that time would be forever the rate of what would be needed to be paid back in accrual of the debt. But, in fact, Barclay has the purchases in that promo time go up to their standard rate of 19.24 %. Had I known they would bait and switch like this, I would not have made those purchases with them. I contacted them via online banking first, then another time to their dishonest reply of what was offered in the initial promo offer. I attached for you -- my query to them via inbox of their online banking below. I also contacted a customer service representative and made her promise to take my concern and complaint to the highest authority possible with their company. She did not, I received no additional responses or communication from them to this date. 

the correspondence was this : nterest Rate Why does the promotional rate on purchases of 3.99 % seem to have gotten lumped i XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX  Why does the promotional rate on purchases of 3.99 % seem to have gotten lumped in with the awful rate now? I understand that it is past XXXX XXXX, XXXX, but my understanding was that that rate stays with those purchases made with that rate, otherwise, I would have not done those purchases. It is unethical on Barclay 's part to do this to a customer ( in my opinion ). Please keep these purchase rates separate as was promised. 
Barclays customer service XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX  Hi XXXX XXXX : \n \nThank you for contacting us about your Barclaycard CashForward Mastercard . We understand your concerns and apologize if you've received anything less than superior service from us. We strive for excellence and appreciate the time you have taken to give us your feedback. 
\n \nUpon review of your account we can confirm that on XX/XX/XXXX you accepted a 3.99 % promotional APR on all new purchases made through XX/XX/XXXX. Standard purchase variable APR applies to any remaining balances after XX/XX/XXXX. Your standard variable APR for purchases on your account is currently 19.24 %. Unfortunately we are unable to change the terms of this offer and can not reinstate the 3.99 % rate on those purchases. 
\n \n This information is also available on your statement under the section heading Interest Charge Calculation - 30 Days in Billing Cycle. Your statements are available to view and print on our website. To do so, please click the Activity & Statements dropdown menu and select the Statements option. On the following page, you may then choose the statement you wish to view from the dropdown list of available dates and click the Download button. 
\n \nWe hope you find this information helpful, and we thank you for your continued business. If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message. 
\n \nSincerely, \n \nCustomer Care \n \n XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX  This is unacceptable and a predatory lending practice. All that needs to be done is a separation of the purchase interest rates as was promised. To not do this, the soul of Barclay becomes a force of pure evil. 
Barclays customer service XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX  Hi XXXX XXXX : \n \nThank you for contacting us about your Barclaycard CashForward Mastercard . 
\n \nWe understand your concerns and apologize if you've received anything less than superior service from us. We strive for excellence and appreciate the time you have taken to give us your feedback. 
\n \n Your interest rate is made up of the prime rate plus your variable margin annual percentage rate 19.24 %. The prime rate is the highest listed U.S. Prime Rate published in the Money Rates Section of the XXXX XXXX XXXX on the last business day of each calendar month. An increase or decrease in the Prime Rate will cause a corresponding increase or decrease to your variable rate on the first day of the billing cycle that begins in the same month in which the applicable Prime Rate is published. 
\n \nAny increase or decrease to your variable rate will cause a corresponding increase or decrease in the amount of interest assessed and effect the amount of the minimum payment due. We can confirm your current minimum payment due is {$140.00}. 
\n \nYour APR prior to the Prime Rate change was a variable 17.99 %. Your new APR will be a variable 19.24 %. You are able to view your interest rate on the website by clicking on the Account settings link. Additionally, the interest rate is listed on your monthly statements. At this time there is no lower interest rate available. 
\n \n We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 
\n \n If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message. 
\n \nSincerely, \n \nCustomer Care