Debs store card - RECLAIM CHARGES??

[JANRHYS]

Hi,

Could I request some help please?

i have a Debs store card, which is about £2,000. I am currently paying between 50 -80 pounds a month, which is being eaten up in interest charges of approx £43!. i admit i have some late charges added, this because they have my payment date down as the 19th of the month and as i am monthly paid i'e told them on many occassions i cant make a payment until the end of the month but theysay they cant change the date , so come the 19th, they dont get thier money they add on a late charge an i pay at the end of the month and its still in arrears, i cant win.

 

Is there any scope for me to reclaim the charges back? if so do you have a template letter i can send to GE Money? i've had this card for years and havnt used it for about 2 yrs as the pyts never seem to go down, the charges are astronmical .

Any help will be really appreciated

[steven4064]

Late charges are unlawful penalties - claim them all back (don't be fobbed off with any difference between the charges paid and £12 either)

 

For help, have alook at my GE Money thread

[hammyhound]

Sorry to but in but we are in the same boat - £12 every month. I thought we could not claim these £12 charges as they are deemed fair - if I am incorrect then let battle commence.

 

HH

[JANRHYS]

Hi

Many thanks fora reply, apologies for taking long to reply.

I read the info on GE Money, that was very helpful. Could you let me know what the initial letter was that you sent first of all to GE Money, and do i need to enclosed a postal order for a certain amount. I do hope they reply speedily to me also!!

[hammyhound]

Hi,

 

Just been talking to Debenhams, had the same answer. Wont change statement date so will always be in arrears. They told me if we could pay say an extra £10 per month our arrears will clear in 7 months!!! They also told me that they are only allowed to charge late payment fees twice so check your statement.

 

I too will be sending a SAR to them, have decided to reclaim all of the charges although I know it goes back onto your account, at least it will clear some of your balance.

 

HH

[steven4064]

They are only deemed fair by the people charging them. They can only claim they are fair if they are prepared to let a court rule on the subject - the OFT have said that onbly a court can so rule. So far, all the banks, credit card companies, etc have been extremely reluctant to go to court.

 

A fair charge is limited to what it actuially costs them. For most 'breaches' it is a few pence at most, usually nothing. To go to court would mean revealing their costs - thay are not going to god that.

 

Long way of saying, claim it all back.

[JANRHYS]

Hi,

 

Many thanks for that.

GE Money are a nightmare.

Is there a template letter i can send to them located on this forum?

 

ps: HH - Keep on at them, i will keep my fingers crossed for you. I didnt know about only charging you twice for a late pyt. I've had so many charges applied i've lost count!!

[steven4064]

THere are suitable (or nearly suitable) letters in the bank templates library

[Ferg]

Hi,

 

I am having the same quandry. I have received a letter stating that the OFT has ruled that a £12 charge has been considered 'fair.'

 

The letter also states that should I want to pursue the complaint further I should contact the Financial Ombudsman.

 

Shall I now threaten to take them to the small claims court?

[steven4064]

As I have said before, to say the OFT has ruled that a £12 charge is fair is a complete lie. The OFT have said that they will not take action below this level for the time being as an efficiency measure (for them)

 

FOS is a complete waste of space

 

Yes, take them to court

[Ferg]

Thanks Steven,

 

I thought it was probably a load of BS. I presume there is the necessary court action letter on here somewhere?

 

Thanks once again for your help. Educated criminals work within the law as a famous chap once said!

 

I will find the letter and threaten them with court action. I find the 'good will gesture' more of an insult.

 

I will also have a look at your other thread.

[Ferg]

Sorry to be a pain. Does anyone have a link to the correct follow up letter to respond to the nonsense that they say about £12 being ruled as fair by the OFT. I assume it is a court action letter but cannot seem to find the right one on the site...