Complaint Review: Juniper Bank - Barclays - Apple Credit Card

I bought an Apple computer using Apple credit operated by Juniper/Barclays. Since then, I have had nothing but problems with them. The first major problem was when I accidently mis-typed my bank account number on their website when attempting to pay a bill.

They charged me a ridiculous "handling fee" for this simple mistake. I then added the correct bank account numer. Both numbers were then present on a drop-down menu on their site. I later accidently chose the eronneous account number. Again, they charged me the same fee. I asked them to refund my money given that it was an accidental oversight. When they refused, I asked them to explain what the exact reason for this fee was. They simply stated that it was a handling fee. Fair enough.

I then moved to Europe. At Christmas time, after living in Europe for over three months, during which period I had used this card on multiple occasions, my card was declined in front of a large group of people. I was embarrassed and annoyed. I went to the manager's office and called Juniper.

After getting through to one of their awful customer service reps, they explained that they were running some kind of security check. Even though I was shopping at an American store, they felt there was a need to do a security check for purchases in Europe. I found it to be odd that after using the card in Europe for three months, it was all of a sudden suspicious.

I continued to use the card, even though I was seriously contemplating discontinuing its use. Then this company started to charge me fees for using the card overseas. Then, yet again, they ran a random security check in which they refused to honor my card. Again, the reason was because I was using the card in Europe - this after telling them I live here.

Throughout these incidents, the customer service I received was awful.

In the spring, it came time to renew my card. When I attempted to do so, I was forced to endure a mini-interrogation. First, I was asked some standard questions, then asked a series of questions about places I've lived in the past. When I pointed out that I didn't appreciate Juniper fishing through my personal information and confronting me with such in-depth questions, and moreover that I was seriously thinking about simply cancelling my card, the rep simply said he could assist me at that moment with closing my account.

I was taken back by his readiness to close my account, but not to simply activate my card.

In all, dealing with Juniper has been a very frustrating and unpleasant experience - unreasonable charges, obnoxious representatives, random "security checks," and interrogations to renew the card. I have decided to maintain the account so as not to hurt my credit. However, I no longer use it. In addition, I am posting this to let other consumers know these folks are vultures.

Jarrod
APO AE, New York
U.S.A.