Co-Op delaying tactic?

[EricB]

I am a good way down the road to claiming my charges back from Co-Op Visa. I got the Data Protection Act details, worked out how much they owed me (plus interest) sent off the first letter got back an acknowledgement (but no reply) so sent off second letter stating that no reply within 14 days and I would commence action, again acknowledgement letter was recieved.

However this time and on the last day I had given them to reply they have sent me a letter saying "So we can fully investigate your claim for refund I will provide you with a full response within the next six weeks".

Where do I go from here? They have already had over a month from my original letter but will the courts consider it unreasonable to start action before the six weeks elapse? They have given me a name and number to ring them on but I am a bit reluctant to do this as telephone conversations do not seem as good evidence as written exchanges if we go to court.

Has anyone been through this and can they tell me how they got on?

[panther12]

Yes this seems to be a common delaying tactic of the Co-Op. In our case we gave them the extra time but just ended up with letter after letter saying sorry for the delay but our investigations are not yet complete blah, blah. After the 5th fob-off letter we issued the LBA and within a week we received full payment.

[Glenn UK]

FWIW

Dont delay for them, you are suing them if they cannot be bothered to deal with it properly the courts wont be bothered if you do though.

Follow your timeframe as suggested in the step by step instructions and the court will be happy.

HTH

Glenn

[phoenix11]

Thanks for that info above - I just got a second (unprompted) 'nice' delaying letter with fulsome apologies saying they are still needing time to fully complete their enquiries yada yada.

What time do they need??? We've done all the leg work and sent them all the details.

I'ts very stressful and I don't want to fall out with them - but it's also my money.

Off to respond and raise the stakes.

[Glenn UK]

Originally Posted by phoenix11

Thanks for that info above - I just got a second (unprompted) 'nice' delaying letter with fulsome apologies saying they are still needing time to fully complete their enquiries yada yada.

What time do they need??? We've done all the leg work and sent them all the details.

I'ts very stressful and I don't want to fall out with them - but it's also my money.FWIW when you say you dont want to fall out with them what do you mean? They have taken money unlawfully, if you met them in the street and they did this i doubt that you would feel the same. Its worth rmemeberig these bankers are not your friends its business and in this case, unlawful.

Off to respond and raise the stakes.
Good on you, stick to your timetable and get your claim in.

Glenn

[Aitken Brotherston]

Agree with Glenn
It's your Money
It's your claim
Stick to YOUR timetable. 14 days is quite enough for them.
If they were calculating what you owed them you can bet it would be done well within the 14 days and certainly they are NOT your friends. After a long association with one bank (28years) I made that mistake some years ago - but never again.

Banks should be treated like baby's nappies - changed frequently and for the same reason.

[fox]

I got exactly the same letters from co-op bank so I filed after 14 days co-op acknowledged and said they were going to defend but then paid in full about 5 days later inc costs and interest (£1026) so stick with it you will get your money soon

[fox]

I got exactly the same letters from co-op bank so I filed claim online after 14 days co-op acknowledged and said they were going to defend but then paid in full about 5 days later inc costs and interest (£1026) so stick with it you will get your money soon