gordonhall v HSBC : WON

gordonhall · 11th May 2006, 13:10

Hi all,

I sent a standard letter out to HSBC last Monday evening (1st May). It was sent recorded delivery and I know it was recieved on Wednesday 3rd. It was sent to the branch manager (Manchester).

I don't think it matters, but I'm wondering if I should have sent it to Alan Pretty instead/as well?

Anyway, regardless of that, I haven't yet had a reply, although I suppose it really is only a week thats passed since they recieved it.

I shall give them until next Wednesday and then send them a Letter before action.

My claim is for £1650, going back the 6 years. To be honest, I thought it was going to be more.

I'm keen to go as far as I can with this and am not happy about HSBC pushing confidentiality clauses.

Spiceskull - did they request confidentiality for you?

Oh well, let the next week roll on....

Spiceskull · 11th May 2006, 13:14

Hi Gordon,

Yes, they did request confidentiality, but I treated it with the contempt it deserves...

My personal advice is to stick to your timetable rigidly. This will ensure that you get your refund as swiftly as possible.

You will get the standard waffle in reply to your first and second letters. Then about a week after issuing your claim you will likely get a letter from DG offering settlement in return for confidentiality. My guess is that you are about 5 weeks away from your money...

Good luck.

To see the steps I took to recover unfair bank charges with the help of Consumer Action Group, please read my thread Spiceskull v HSBC.

gordonhall · 13th May 2006, 13:36

OK, Finally had a reply letter from Paul Archer (service Quality Officer), thanking me for the letter and he will contact me with a full response soon.

The usual delaying tactic.

So, 2nd letter to go out immediately, now that I have had an unsatisfactory response from him?

Spiceskull · 13th May 2006, 18:05

Personally I would stick to your timetable. It demonstrates a reasonable attitude, and also that you are trying to avoid court if possible.

Good luck.

To see the steps I took to recover unfair bank charges with the help of Consumer Action Group, please read my thread Spiceskull v HSBC.

gordonhall · 13th May 2006, 19:58

OK, thanks for that. I'll wait until Wednesday before sending the 2nd letter. It iwll have been 2 weeks then.

Bliemy, doesn't time drag when you're desperate to screw the banks back!

Spiceskull · 14th May 2006, 11:33

Time does drag, but this is not about screwing the bank. This is about righting a wrong, and reclaiming what is rightfully yours...

To see the steps I took to recover unfair bank charges with the help of Consumer Action Group, please read my thread Spiceskull v HSBC.

gordonhall · 14th May 2006, 22:06

you say potato...

You're right of course, but I just like the terminiology!

gordonhall · 24th May 2006, 10:56

Nothing to report really! Second letter sent on the 17th - arrived on the 18th (I've got a screen shot of the royal mail page confirming this).

And nothing, not a dickie bird. Still they've got 8 more days.

Ho hum...

Spiceskull · 24th May 2006, 13:33

Patience is a rewarding virtue...think of the extra interest you are earning, and whilst waiting you can delete those 'impulse buys,' and concentrate more on the the things you REALLY want to do with your money...

To see the steps I took to recover unfair bank charges with the help of Consumer Action Group, please read my thread Spiceskull v HSBC.

gordonhall · 25th May 2006, 10:36

Actually, I must say that over the last 6 months, and even more so in the past 6 weeks, I'm really tightening the purse strings (so to speak). With this website, moneysavingexpert and fool.co.uk I'm re-learnt how to budget again.

For too long I'd let things slip to the point that my finances were completely out of control. THats not the case now and when this money gets refunded, it will go straight into paying off part of the mortgage.

Happy days are here again...

gordonhall · 30th May 2006, 12:37

OK, close to the bone, but they have made an offer. Signed by Mr. Pretty himself. Actually, he sent two letters, exactly the same, but the signature was definately hand signed as they were both slgihtly different.

Anyway, letter reads...

Dear Mr Hall. thank you for your letter wanting £2021.83 back - we will win but because of costs etc, we will offer you £1100 in full and final settlement.

Mr Alan Pretty.

Of course, its longer than that, but you get the drift. They have given me 10 days to reply and accept. However, their 28 days runs out on the 1st June, so I don't know whether to respond or just ignore them and let their 3 days run out and then file a claim online.

I'll read around the forums later and get the general consensus.

Strike one to me!

Spiceskull · 30th May 2006, 12:42

It's up to you whether you reply, but I would do it personally. All you need to say is:

Quote:

Dear XXX

Thank you for your letter, making an offer.

I do not accept.

Yours sincerely.

Good luck.

To see the steps I took to recover unfair bank charges with the help of Consumer Action Group, please read my thread Spiceskull v HSBC.

lickthewallfatboy · 30th May 2006, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordonhall

Dear Mr Hall. thank you for your letter wanting £2021.83 back - we will win but because of costs etc, we will offer you £1100 in full and final settlement.

Mr Alan Pretty.

to which you reply-

Dear Mr Pretty
thank you for your letter offering £1100 - if this goes to court I will win ,and I will accept your offer of £1100 only as interim payment,and will vigorously pursue the outstanding balance.

don't you just love giving them a large dose of payback??I think this is a great site!!

gordonhall · 30th May 2006, 13:02

Mr Pretty (Alan to his friends, of which I don't think he has any on this site!) kindly included a self addressed envelope.

I have simply written...

Dear Mr Pretty,

Thank you for your letter dated 25th May. I do not accept your offer. Legal procedings begin on the 2nd June. you may respond by e-mail if you wish. I assure you I will not pass on your e-mail details to anyone.

Your Faithfully,

Gordon Hall

So if they are reading this site, they can contact me now! Roll on 2nd June.

gordonhall · 30th May 2006, 13:06

On a slightly different note, how much, if anything, can be claimed for the time I have taken to process this claim, including writing letters etc.

I work for myself, in IT, and whilst I must admit to have enjoyed myself a little going through everything on this site, it has been time consuming. Could I realistically claim for 3 or 4 hours at my usual work rate, or is there a standard hourly rate that the courts accept?

gordonhall · 30th May 2006, 13:14

I've just realsied that since me writing my first letter to HSBC (1st May) the interest that they owe me has gone up a further £11.

i'm in no rush - I can wait for the interest to keep accumulating.

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