BigCol45 v RBoS hes done it and ***WON ***

BigCol · 19th June 2006, 11:45

Dear all,
Got onto this site from MSE and can't say how much hope it has given me. I started proceedings against RBoS 23 May and have now go to the 1st Offer Letter. I calculate that I have been charged over £3000 and I have been offered £1687 in a letter as follows:
"Thank you for your letter of 23rd May 2006 and I apologise for any dissatisfaction caused by the application of charges to your account.
We believe that our charges are fair and reasonable and transparent. We consider that the amount debited to your account have been applied strictly in accordance with your agreement with us and our published tarrifs, which we are satisfied, complies with all applicable laws and regulations. We are also committed to ensuring the transparency of the information that we give to our customers about the operation of our products.

Against that background, we must differ to the views expressed in your letter.

However, we have taken the opportunity to review the charges applied to your account and as an exceptional matter we are prepared to refund £1687 as a gesture of goodwill. Acceptance by you will be in full and final settlement of all claims you may have relating to our charges.
(Final Para)
However, our Terms and Conditions will continue to apply and any charges that accrue in future must stand. Thank you again for taking the trouble to write and I hope that your concern is resolved to your satisfaction."

My overdraft limit is £3500 and I am trying everything that I can to reduce my outgoings (going through divorce at same time hence poor financial state), but charges seem to snowball. I pay £12 per month for a Royalties Gold account (which I will be changing in the near future as well as starting up an A&L account), but I just need a confidence boost. Is this letter from RBoS not admitting liability and flying in the face of OFT rulings? I will obviously refuse this offer of £1687 but what should my next move be?

stacymason · 19th June 2006, 12:10

Hiya

Just carry on with your proceedings. If you've done the preliminary letter next step is the Letter Before Action and then begin court proceedings.

Good luck xx

BigCol · 19th June 2006, 13:29

Cheers Stacymason! Fighting the Good Fight!!

One question I do have is that now that I have been offered a preliminary amount, BF's advice is to accept this amount but sign nothing. How do I do that? or do I speak to the Branch and tell them that I refuse their offer and I will be issuing my LBA letter? Confused of Cambridgecestershire (as I'm at work!)

Maybe BF could advise? I'm happy to go with the LBA, but £1687 would keep the fees from mounting.....

BigCol · 19th June 2006, 13:31

In fact, had a good chat with Elaine Rattray of Rugby RBoS who understands my plight but said that somebody else was deciding on the amount of an offer. I intimated that I would not accept £1687 so do I just check my deadlines and issue LBA or give them a chance to up the ante?

BigCol · 19th June 2006, 15:06

I've just read Alicole's thread, she's beaten the RBoS so I'm following suit! Stuff their offer of £1687, I want the whole lot back! Just needed some reassurance I guess. Credit card companies next methinks!!:o

Having said that, any advice or brow soothing is more than welcome!!

BigCol · 20th June 2006, 11:30

Update:

LBA sent today & faxed to Branch. I accepted their goodwill gesture as an interim payment and gave them 14 days from today - roll on 4th July, maybe we'll see some fireworks before then!?!

RBoS - LBA sent 20 Jun - deadline 4 Jul - Claim £2926.70 and rising!
- Goodwill gesture of £1687 rec'd 17 Jun - SOD OFF!

BigCol · 20th June 2006, 17:40

Why oh why do Banks always deny everything first off? LBA hard copy posted to Rugby RBoS but Elaine Rattray (Dep Manager RBoS Rugby) working from Royal Leamington Spa branch (which co-incidentally used to be a pub! Oh how the wheels of commerce turn!) so I faxed it there to give her as much notice as possible (how nice of me). Clock is ticking mind, however I am trying hard not to get personal having been reminded by RBSBankTeller about the Human side. Give her her dues, Elaine is trying to help and is probably being hamstrung by 'policy', but "All's fair in love & banking". Parachute account activated, roll on 4 July.

BigCol · 20th June 2006, 17:56

Gosh, a swift reply from Elaine, thanking me for my letter but informing me that my case is now being handed up to 'Head Office' (shock horror!). Somebody will contact me in the next 10 days with the details of my case manager. I politely pointed out that come 4th Jul it escalates to Small Claims Court, so I trust I will be expecting something from Head Office or a Solicitors now then?

Has anyone else been handled by a Head (Office) Case Manager? Or is this just another way of putting some time hurdles in my way?

Nonetheless, following RBSBankTeller's thread, I thanked Elaine for her help and said it's nothing personal, she even wished me "Good Luck".

Counting the days!

BigCol · 21st June 2006, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCol45

Has anyone else been handled by a Head (Office) Case Manager? Or is this just another way of putting some time hurdles in my way?

Counting the days!

Anyone????

BigCol · 22nd June 2006, 09:45

Quick Update:

When I spoke to Elaine last week (16th) about deadlines, she told me that she'd already sent me a letter so I asked for a fax copy of the letter which she duly sent me. The letter was dated 8th June and sounds like the standard "thank you for your patience..blah....blah..t imewasting...please lose interest...blah...we will contact you within the next 2 weeks (way past my deadline)..blah". Anyway, I replied with my LBA on 20th (post & fax). When I got home from work yesterday, guess what I found on the doormat? Yup, a letter dated 8th Jun!! I checked the envelope and it was, indeed, franked on 8th Jun, but for some unknown reason it was stamped in the post office at 15.45 on 20th Jun. How strange!! How much more justification do they want for us to press them and keep to our timescales!! What a bunch of snakes!! Going to phone the Branch now and thank them for the swift action on the posting!!

BigCol · 22nd June 2006, 12:35

Just spoken to Elaine, she was very surprised to hear that the letter had been delayed because the Bank has a sealed envelope of mail taken to the Post Office everyday.....must have missed it then or the Postie has only just found it!!

She also asked if I'd heard anything from Head Office to whit I replied "no". Would it be of use if I gave you my email address Elaine, "Oh, I'm not sure if they have email"!! Does Mr SCrooge still work there also? No email, I find that hard to believe, especially having read everyone else's thread and seen emails from good ole Tommy.....
Green On!!

stacymason · 22nd June 2006, 12:57

I'm almost certain it will be good old Tommy McClean who replies to your letter, although all he will do is re offer the last amount. Which you can promptly tell him to shove and file your claim on moneyclaim!!

BigCol · 22nd June 2006, 13:34

Roger that, been investigating Moneyclaim and checking on the best time to post it, I believe that once all of my latest charges are applied on or around the 8th of Jul will do, go for the Max!
Cheers Stacy - how's your fight goin?

Green On!!

stacymason · 23rd June 2006, 10:07

I filed Moneyclaim on the 15th of June and Rbs acknowledged on 21st June so now have until 19th July to submit a response so I won't be expecting anything before the 18th July!!!!!!!!

Just going through credit card statements to see who else I can go after next!!!!!!!

BigCol · 28th June 2006, 10:25

Hmmm,

it all seems to have gone quiet on the RBS front, nothing from them for nearly a week now, the deadline of the 4th looms, this time-ish next week I will be filing on moneyclaim!
Green-on!!

BigCol · 3rd July 2006, 12:20

Update:
Phoned the Rugby Branch on 28th, spoke to the very helpful Elaine to say that I had not yet heard anything from 'Head Office' and that the deadline was 4th July, hse said that she would check with them and get back to me. Which she then duly did, HeadOffice said they would be contacting me within the next 10 days! Ho hum, said I, the next stage gets initiated on 4th Jul so it's up to them, Small Claims court it is then.....still going to wait until last months charges are added to my account mind, so 10th July it will be(unless I can file over the weekend, but I guess it won't be looked at until the Mon am anyway?!?).

BigCol · 3rd July 2006, 15:39

I have just tried to log on to RBS Digital Banking to be told that my password has been changed somehow! I may just be imagining things but has this anything to do with my claim at the moment? Has anyone else had problems with Digital Banking?

CAG Products - We think that these will help you to make your claim or Reclaim your Right These sales also help us to keep helping YOU and keeps this site free of third party adverts!

Small Claims Kit	Small Claims Court Guide New Edition	CallBurner - Skype CallRecorder Review	Last Will & Testament Kit	Fight a Motoring Ticket

Alternatively you could purchase a CAG email address here, or maybe you'd prefer our address labels here
UPDATE: Consumer Forums ConsumerWiki is now LIVE - click here: ConsumerWiki N.B. Please note - due to postage costs these products are only available in the U.K.