Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
The book is easy to understand and clearly explains the rights
a bailiff has, and also what they cannot do when collecting debts and repossessing goods etc.
I've just found out about the possibility of reclaiming charges, and think I could be owed thousands.
But, I like my bank and apart from the charges (which, while excessive, to be fair they have only been incurred in the first place through my spending) I've had a good relationship with them, as has my mother who also banks at my branch. So I don't want to fall out with them or move to another bank.
I was wondering if phoning your personal banker about reclaiming charges before sending out letters is a) worthwhile, and b) has borne any fruit for people, as I don't want to start the ball rolling the more official way if there's a chance of negotiating with them verbally first.
Re: Is it worth trying to talk to them first? (RBS)
It is definitely worth calling your bank to discuss refunds of charges. They will almost certainly offer you some form of payment. It will not be the full amount, accept it but dont agree to it being for Full and final settlement. Then it starts with the letter writing. Good luck.
Re: Is it worth trying to talk to them first? (RBS)
So, talk me through this... They have unlawfully taken thousands in bank charges from you, but since it was your fault you overspent, and you didn't kick up a fuss about them helping themselves to your money, that makes it a good relationship with them?
Newsflash: The "good" relationship is solely due to your meekly paying up, and having enough money to pay up. The experience of thousands on this forum is that the moment the money dried up, the goodwill on the banks' behalf evaporated like morning dew on a hot summer day.
2nd newsflash: They are likely to turn quite mean when you refuse to play by their rules.
But if you really think that you'll get your thousands back by talking nicely to them, why not? Please call them. If it works, PLEASE come back and tell us, we're always looking for ways to make life easier for people here. And to be fair, we have had people gettign 1 or 2 charges back with a phone call. Thousands, never to my knowledge. Would be nice, though.
Apologies to people who I was in the process of helping, I may be gone some time.
Re: Is it worth trying to talk to them first? (RBS)
It does depend on what bank charges they owe you. Anecdotal evidence on this forum is that if you unfair penalty charges are less than £100, then yes, a 'phone call often, but not always, does the trick.
Any amount over this, then don't even waste your breath. They will have you calling all round the country, with promises to call you back, and leaving you VERY frustrated.
Alecto, Magaera et Tisiphone: Nemesis on Earth is come.
All advice and opinions given by Spiceskull are personal, and are not endorsed by Consumer Action Group or Bank Action Group. Your decisions and actions are your own, and should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.
Re: Is it worth trying to talk to them first? (RBS)
I have no doubt that they "launch in" when they are unhappy with you, why would you do anything different to them? No matter what sort of relationship you have with your bank it all comes down to the fact that the charges are illegal. Wether you decide to claim them all back or not is up to you.
Pam.
If anything I've said helps you then please feel free to tip my scales!
Re: Is it worth trying to talk to them first? (RBS)
Sarah-Jane,
you make it sound like you are about to press the big red button on the Bank. You are not! The letters merely set out your underlying disappointment in their actions. I find that I don't even get a letter nowadays, I just log on to digital banking and the charges have been applied, £90 for referrals and £100's for unpaid DDs every month. I, personally, am fed up with losing money hand over fist when I worked hard to get it in the first place. I have been with the RBS since 1990 and my father was with them for ages before that, up until recently I thought I had a 'good relationship' with them until I started getting multiple charges, not getting phonecalls returned to try and sort this out, loans to cover charges and overdrafts, bigger overdrafts.....then one day you have an epiphany, what would have happened if these charges had not been applied, well, I for one believe that I am 'sensible' with my spending and do not go out to try and incurr charges but live within my means(-ish). I am not doing so because of £1000s of charges.
You are not being rude and should not expect to get 'kicked' out of the Branch, although you may wish to set up another account elsewhere just in case. It is your money and you are merely asking, in a pleasant, direct manner, giving them time to answer and acting within the law. Sod them!
Big Col
RBS LBA 20/06/06. WON - 21/10/06
MBNA(1)-Start-20/06/06, Claim-£250, 15/8 - Winner!!
MBNA Virgin(2)-Start-20/06/06, Claim £100, 15/8 - Winner!!
BoS MCard Data Protection Act Sent 20/06/06 - WON 16/10/06
Green On!
If the post/advice helps, pse click on the scales!!
Re: Is it worth trying to talk to them first? (RBS)
If they have taken lots of charges from you, I would screw them for every penny. This bank does not understand the word 'nice' as I discovered. This bank has a turnover of over £8 billion in profit, mugging customers like ourselves. It is a greedy bank that needs to be destroyed.
Is it worth trying to talk to them first? (RBS)
Reply With Quote
