Life is a Cahoot! (Cahoot)

Member Name: b-rokscarrie

Product:	Cahoot
Date:	12/10/01 (230 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Low interest rate, Good name behind it

Disadvantages: Customer Services telephones!!

After comparing interest charges and suchlike between various online credit cards, I decided to apply for a Cahoot card so that I could transfer the balance of my then credit card who were charging 19.00% APR compared to Cahoot's 7%. There are three types of credit card, each one with different benefits depending on your spending habits and how you like to use yours. One, for instance is 'interest only' another has a monthly fee but lower APR. Cahoot is the name behind the Abbey National credit card, so with that kind of guarantee, I felt I couldn't go wrong.

So far, I've been proved right. The application system online for the credit card is simplicity itself. The site is fast loading and easy to understand. When you've finished filling out the form and submitted it, you are told that you will be sent an e-mail to say whether you have been provisionally accepted. You must have 128bit encryption on your Internet Explorer browser with its extra security, for the application to go through. The way to check this is to click 'Help' at the top of the page, go down to 'About Internet Explorer' and it will be marked quite clearly what kind of encryption you have, plus a button to click on, should you need to update it.

If you have been accepted, more credit checks will take place at Cahoot's end and you will be sent the Credit Application Form to sign. I didn't receive word from them for a couple of weeks after the first e-mail, so I rang them up on their Customer Services number. I was told that Cahoot had been inundated with applications, so it was therefore taking a little longer than usual.

Soon after this, I received the Credit Application form, which I had to read, sign and send off to them. I did this, and after a couple of weeks more, I received first the pin number, then a few days later the credit card. I was assured that applications would not normally take this long. I alway
s knew I could contact Cahoot whenever I had a query which was good to know. One gripe I have about this, is when I phoned the first time, the line was awful; far too loud and crackly and echoey. The man I spoke to told me it was because of their hands-free telephone system and adjusted it so the line was much better. When, however, I phoned a second time and got the same problem, the girl I spoke to that time just told me there was nothing she could do to. When I mentioned that I'd had the same problem before and the man adjusted his telephone, she just repeated that she couldn't do anything about it! (Time of the month, maybe?)

I have had no problems - touch wood - accessing the site for statement details. The pages are quick to load, everything is to hand and very easy to find. The balance from my previous credit card went through smoothly and without any hitches. The Interest rate of 7% is excellent especially when compared with other online credit cards.

I would definitely recommend Cahoot for their credit card, but of course there is far more on the site, such as loans, bank accounts and insurance. Well worth a visit.

Summary: