I don’t need this
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Next Tuesday I am leaving France to visit some friends in UK for the first time in 20 years. Last time I travelled abroad we had travellers cheques. Now everything is internet based. So I got myself a wise card, you load it with money and it allows you to transfer euros to pounds a lot cheaper than the rip off bank rates. I have been with CMB for 10 years but lately I have found their security system increasingly complicated even to make the simplest of transactions. My local branch of CMB closed recently so I now have a 24 KM round trip if I need to talk to them. So when I had a problem I thought I would go to Scaer branch because it is only 6 Km away. I have had a problem transferring money from my bank account to my wise card it keeps coming up error then on the third attempt it locks my account. The Scaer branch today unlocked my card but told me to go to my own branch so I drove the 15km to Gourin. Appointment only in the afternoon but the member of staff agreed to see me when I explained the situation. I have never been locked out of my account in 10 years but this is the second time in a week. I got the impression that he thought that I was just another silly old fart that didn’t understand modern technology and I do admit I struggle but I am not stupid. He said my card was unlocked and there was no problem and suggested I try and make a transfer in front of him. I set up the two accounts on my phone and gave it to him and asked him to make the transfer. It showed an error just like I described. He could not resolve the issue and said he didn’t understand the problem. I asked him to set up a direct bank transfer which he did so I have now loaded my wise card with more than enough to cover my holiday but this week the bank has caused me a load of unnecessary stress which I don’t need and still the underlying problem has not been resolved. Having shut my local branch CMB are still charging me almost 14 euros a month for this crap service and I still don’t know the reason my card has been failing so I can’t be confident it won’t lock me out while I am in the UK.
Certainly nothing to do with your problem John, but I have had my CA bank card refused several times recently for no reason apart from me wishing to spend my own money.
OH’s card, on the same account, goes through seamlessly.
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Ditto…
when we shop I stay handy because mms often gets declined…I arrive…same account …no problem.
he got really fed up with it and went in and asked to see la responsable!
they went through the transactions and found that in June we had used his card to buy something on the internet and I ?had put in a wrong digit….which posted an alarm.
saying ,in effect…watch the card.
They removed the alarm….and since then no problem….but it was nearly two months of nuisance and embarrassment….long queue….card refused…not funny.
ask to see the manager and straighten it out before you travel.
also it’s worth telling the bank if you’re leaving France….
Essentially the computers are looking for out of the norm….to protect you…but it’s B annoying sometimes.
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CA put limits on how much you can spend on your card, despite the money being your own.
JP take a bit of folding with you and tell your bank to authorise your card for use in UK (just in case).
Do not allow the worry of it all to detract from the enjoyment of your holiday, we hope you have a great one.
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Mostly have a wonderful well deserved holiday…enjoy yourself!
JP – safe travels and have a wonderful time with your friends!
Thanks for the advice and good wishes. I cannot visit my bank before I go as they are shut Mondays but I think i will be ok as long as I don’t make any transfers. I can draw cash on my card if I have to and I have enough funds on my wise card for shopping and everything else I intend doing. Everything else is already paid for. I am looking forward to an English breakfast, a roast dinner, fish and chips and pies and pasties and a pint or two of real ale.
What more could one want?
I see more and more control placed over peoples money by the banks in the interest of “protecting the customer”.
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Really hope John is enjoying his holiday…has kept away from Covid….
i hope we’ll hear all about the good and bad when he gets home.
Marmite – I am sure we will hear all about the roast dinners, English Breakfasts etc. too! Hopefully he is having a wonderful time.
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Marmite – I am sure we will hear all about the roast dinners, English Breakfasts etc. too! Hopefully he is having a wonderful time.
And the beer I hope.
Mind the potholes!
I think John has taken some rain with him …hope he’s enjoying his holiday despite the weather…
looking forward to hearing all about it.
And about how happy Monty will be to see him back.
Marmite – I think John has taken some rain with him …hope he’s enjoying his holiday despite the weather…
Depending which area he has gone to? I believe last week was lovely as it was here in Brittany? I saw that there are flash floods all over the UK in the news. Loads of Amber and Yellow warnings. Luckily, we have not had that severe torrential rain here.
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I hope JP is enjoying his visit to the UK and catching up with friends and family. I am sure he will keep an open mind and make the most of the good bits. We will hopefully get a blow by blow account on his return and Monty will give him the best welcome home I’m sure!
Getting worried not to hear from John…has he decided to stay in the Uk ?
Hi Everyone. Just a line to say I am back after a good holiday. The weather was good till Sunday then it broke to showers and a bit of sun. I left Seaton at midday on Thursday in a medium monsoon and took a slow journey to Plymouth with semi flooded roads and surface water arriving in Plymouth with loads of time to spare so visited the huge Sainsburys and had a late lunch before driving to the port. I had plenty of time to spare but just relaxed and listened to the radio and checked the shipping forecast which was showing gale force 8 to 9 in the channel. We left Plymouth on time and headed out into a lively sea. I must say
the Amorique was very stable and whilst pitching into the waves did not roll about too much so most people coped without being seasick. The journey from Roscoff was equally bad with relentless rain and fog all the way. It was a long and tiring journey but after a nights sleep I feel better and now have two dogs for company till my friend returns from Italy next Friday. Overall I had a good time and caught up with many old friends. Things were better than I expected so a positive experience. Thank you for all your messages 
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