The ‘Woolwich’ was originally the Woolwich Building Society before it demutualised and became a PLC in 1997. In August 2000, Barclays took over Woolwich PLC in a £5.4bn acquisition and the Woolwich joined the Barclays Bank Group of companies. My mother was with the Woolwich and in October 2003 I asked the Woolwich if they could transfer some funds to her solicitors to buy the freehold of my mothers house. A fairly simple task you would think? Not with the Woolwich they sent the cheque to my mother and it all went went downhill from there like a runaway lawnmower. Needless to say my mother bailed out of the Woolwich as soon as she could.At some point Barclays got involved and they sent me a leaflet entitled “Don’t hold back on your feedback” and I did not. If Barclays sent out a similar request these days you would not be able to enter their premises due to the shovel loads of ordure that would be heaped in the main entrance.
“There is not one word of apology. Phrases such as “I am very sorry to hear of the problems”; “I appreciate that you have taken the time to share your concerns with us”. ‘Finally I would like to thank you for taking the trouble to contact us’; ‘I must also advise you that should we not hear from you within eight weeks of the date of this letter we will take it that your complaint is resolved.’ This cant, humbug and disingenuous twaddle only serves to pour petrol on flames.Ms Clarke stretches credibility to the limit when she says she is sorry to hear of the problems, when the Woolwich is responsible for the problems in the first place………………………… To read more
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