I'm an exiled Bristolian, so the pier was a favourite place to visit as my elderly great aunts lived in Weston. I hope it can be rebuilt. I used to enjoy scaring myself looking at the sea through the spaces in the floor! I liked the donkey rides in Weston too!

DDD.

It was the end of the policy, and they sent me the papers for a further year. I found a far cheaper policy elsewhere. Because I paid by direct debit they seemed to think they could hold me to ransome!

DDD.

Hello Perseus

I have had the policy since 2004 and paid by direct debit. The renewal date was April 24th. I sent back the papers saying I did not want to renew (and cancelled the direct debit). I did not make a note of the date I sent it back to them. I think it is outrageous that they can try to do this. Surely this is a case for the Insurance Ombudsman and the OFT?

DDD.

I have just changed my policy and foolishly did not read all the small print on the back. Saga (yes, I'm a grandma!) want to charge me £138.82 for cancelling a policy.

I had assumed that any contract I had with them was for the existing policy until it expired, and that unless I chose to renew it there could be no further contract. Their attitude seems to imply that they have the right to assume that I will always choose to renew with them, rather than check out other options. I would like to know the Financial Ombudsman's opinion and also the OFT.

DDD.

Thanks, Doo, and all the best with your claim. The laptop is already ordered online and should be here tomorrow! I still can't quite believe it.

DDD.

They have paid me the whole lot at 34.9%!! I have just had a letter telling me that it is being paid into my account. It will be on my May 1st statement. I want to buy a new laptop using the card so I don't mind about it going into my account rather than a payment by cheque.

I will do the survey and send a donation as soon as I have it confirmed that the money is there.

Thanks to everyone here for encouragement and support.

DDD.

It's on page 11 of The Independent today. I was just reading through the paper and immediately logged on to see if the story was on here! It is mighty impressive and CAG gets a very good write up.

Well done, that man!

DDD.

I have a bit of a balance, but it's quite a bit less than I am hoping to get back from them.

DDD.

Will they pay it into my bank account or send me a cheque? It's not quite the same as the obsessive checking of my account when I was waiting for Nationwide to pay up, although I keep looking just in case! I have just seen the optician and ordered some new glasses, and as I am a little old lady need varifocals which cost an arm and a leg. Some extra money would come in quite handy.

DDD.

Would you really want to live there? It would be nice to have a bit more, but that degree of conspicuous consumption just isn't my style.

DDD. (Poor but fairly happy).

The Notice of Issue has arrived, deemed served on April 7, and they have until April 23 to reply. I wonder how long it will take them?

Happy easter, everyone, by the way!

DDD.

Helps to make good compost, though!

DDD.

It depends on lots of things. The Co-operative Bank's ethical stance is very attractive and has lots to commend it IMHO.

DDD.

I have today received a letter with details of changes to my account. Transferring a balance from other credit or store cards will incur a one off fee of 3% of the amount transferred. From June 1, 2007, there will be FREE PPI for 100 days after purchase.

There are also to be changes to the presentation of my credit agreement, which they claim are to improve their service and, almost incidentally!, in response to changes in the law. From June 1, for purchases, balance transfers and cash withdrawals there is an effective rate of 35.60%. Interest is calculated at Base Rate plus the applicable margin, divided by 265 or 366, and multilplied by the total of the daily outstanding balance in the statement period.

There is loads more, but it on a bigger than A4 sheet and tiny print on both sides. It takes the expression 'small print' to the extreme!

DDD.

It's not exactly concise though, is it?

DDD.

The story is continued in the Indie on Sunday, on the front page and on page 18. Which? has launched a "super complaint" with the regulator over interest charges. "Which? has accused the UK's top 20 card operators od using 12 different methods to calculate the annual percentage rate (APR), making it impossible for people to compare costs." Apparently it is possible to have a card with a lower APR costing more in interest charges than one with a higher APR. It sounds totally counter-intuitive, but the banks are using the confusion to make money out of us.

DDD.

David Prosser, the Personal Finance Editor of the Indie has written a very angry piece about the delay in the OFT reporting on bank charges. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to do a link to the article!

DDD.

Another letter with the offer of £192 from Mr Udy, and he claims this is his final offer. We shall see!!

DDD.

I am claiming 34.9% contractual compounded interest, with the alternative of 8% simple interest. The likelihood is that they will just pay the 8%, but it's worth having a go! Good luck with your claim.

DDD.

Thanks UK. I have been in to the court today and filed my claim. Felt like an old hand after my success with Nationwide. Not so much money due this time, but as the supermarket ad says "Every little helps"!

DDD.

I have just wandered into this thread! While hand washing is a vital part of infection control it would help in keeping MRSA infections down if ALL patients and staff had nasal swabs taken, as the infection is often carried in our noses. I have recently had a knee replacement and was saddened to see how nursing care has changed. It is caused by the system of form filling and bean counting. I trained as a nurse in the 60s and then was a Health Visitor until I retired. I used to have students seconded to spend time with me for their community experience and I loved having them. Most of them were so keen to nurse, but felt frustrated by the system.

DDD.

Thanks Sonja, that's great.

DDD.

I am just doing my POC for tomorrow against C1. What daily rate of compounded contractual interest have you put? I simply can't work it out and would be very grateful if someone would take pity!!

DDD.

I am printing out the N1 ready to take into the court on Wednesday. I am looking forward to a nice holiday this year!! :grin:

DDD.

I have just watched the programme (I was out last night so I videoed it). Those girls were very brave to do what they did. I am saddened that so many people are being pushed into this kind of behaviour by their employers.

I have just finished reading 'Affluenza' by Oliver James, which is all about the way our society has lost its way in going after materialism and selfishness. Its a very good read.

The cat is well and truly out of the bag now about bank charges, though. They can bluster and spin how they like, but who will believe them? Well done CAG and the Beeb. I won't complain about the licence fee after a programme like that.

DDD.