Barclays Bank - Lordship Lane

[Louisa]

I haven't been in for a while, but whilst visiting today I couldn't help but notice how terribly long the queues were and the fact that one of the regular cashier booths had a seperate queue of people (presumably paying in large amounts from small businesses?). I timed my wait, and from the moment I stepped through the door it took me 37 minutes to make it a cashier. This has to be unacceptable surely? I've raised this with them before some years ago, but nothing seems to have changed. They weren't short staffed either (at least 6 members of staff behind the counter but only 3 tills open). This branch also lacks the modern facilities most refurbished branches now have, such as personal banking machines for paying in cash and swopping money between accounts, paying bills etc.

Please sort it out Barclays.

Louisa.

[Roundabout]

Sorted ? Change bank:

[Jah Lush]

Monday mornings are always busy after a weekend. Try using Barclays online facilities.

[Dog duck]

Louisa Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I haven't been in for a while, but whilst visiting

> today I couldn't help but notice how terribly long

> the queues were and the fact that one of the

> regular cashier booths had a seperate queue of

> people (presumably paying in large amounts from

> small businesses?). I timed my wait, and from the

> moment I stepped through the door it took me 37

> minutes to make it a cashier. This has to be

> unacceptable surely? I've raised this with them

> before some years ago, but nothing seems to have

> changed. They weren't short staffed either (at

> least 6 members of staff behind the counter but

> only 3 tills open). This branch also lacks the

> modern facilities most refurbished branches now

> have, such as personal banking machines for paying

> in cash and swopping money between accounts,

> paying bills etc.

>

> Please sort it out Barclays.

>

> Louisa.

...ridiculous!! don't barclays know who you are?

[Bic Basher]

Considering Barclays is now the only bank along that part of LL (Lloyds is opposite the library), it's no surprise that they're busy, especially since HSBC closed earlier this year.

[Inkmaiden]

They do have a machine for paying in cash in the corner. You can also do all bill paying, money transfer etc by phone banking if internet banking's not your thing. You can even talk to a real person.

[Louisa]

Inkmaiden that would be fine, if only the staff seemed equipped in providing help to those who don't understand. It seems to me, the majority of staff just sit behind the scenes doing nothing (to the untrained eye at least). It isn't professional in a customer fronting environment IMHO.

I would much rather this bank had the modern refit most other branches have now had, which provide electronic banking facilities which those in the know can easily use, leaving the rest of who don't understand to wait patiently in the queue for a cashier to help us. Currently we have people clogging these queues up who might want to deposit a tenner or get a balance print out. Unbelievable. Use the cash machine!

Louisa.

[Lowlander]

I can see the need to use a bank branch if you operate a business or a shop.

But as a retail customer? The last time I used a branch was 1995 - to open my first account.

[TheArtfulDogger]

Still at least you had some of your now infamous stolen grapes to help you pass the time Louisa

Hopefully in that time you weren't also "casing the joint" to see if you could put some cash into an unweighted bag when you got to the counter ;-)

[DulwichFox]

The queues there are hideous.. but the staff are brilliant and very helpful.

There is a 'new' ?? machine where you can get a printed statement with all your transactions..

Think it probably does a lot more too. But makes lousy coffee.

Foxy

[Lynne]

I question the "brilliant and very helpful". The hole on the wall eat my card then lit up "out of order". It took about 20 minutes to find anyone to help and even she was completely indifferent.

[Annybel]

Lowlander, if everybody do as You do

they won't keep any branch open

and all jobs will be lost

I will keep using the counters

Give people a choice!

[Bic Basher]

While I was able to apply for a bank account online, I still had to visit the bank in person to show documentation etc. For older people like my mother, they prefer to go in branch to transfer funds between accounts as she finds online banking baffling, where as I prefer to use the online facility.

There's also times when you may need to go in to ask for a new bank card etc than use the call centre.

[DulwichFox]

I remember when Barclays on LL. used to open on Saturday morning.

DulwichFox

[Louisa]

I miss the Woolwich. I was with them for donkeys years, then bloody Barclays bought them out. They did the open plan banking years before any of their rivals which always left you feeling at ease in their branches. Very informal and friendly atmosphere.

Louisa.

[OutOfFocus]

I once got locked out of online banking. Help desk gave ne completely unhelpful advice (after 15 mins of musack on hold).

Was grateful of a branch to kick help desk on my behalf.

Have had other issues a branch could deal with which were too comple for phone.

[ed_pete]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I remember when Barclays on LL. used to open on

> Saturday morning.

>

> DulwichFox

I remember when banks closed at 3pm and free banking hadn't been invented.