Compensation from a large bank -advice please

[freebird54]

Offered 150 pounds [originally 50]

I have lost c. 5000 pounds on exchange rates and lost interest in the 4 months it took them to transfer some funds to Australia wher I live now - anyone able to advise how good the ombudsman is or should I go to court?

 

One of the worst examples of customer service I have experienced.

 

Their final of many excuses was that my signature on record - over 30 years old [they took my a/c from another bank they took over] did not match.

 

Even though they said they had never had any correspondence!!!

 

I have all the emails where I just got fobbed off - claiming "lost letters and faxes etc." "unable to contact me" - even though I had been doing online transactions for years and they had posted statements and my address and phone had not changed for 5 years. I had also phoned their service centre to follow up emails - they would not give branch phone numbers.

 

I wish Esther Rantzen was back - she would have loved the form letter correspondence They say this is their "final offer"

 

-help appreciated - and hospitality if you ever visit OZ.

 

I was talking to a friend - banking guy from the Channel islands, the ombudsman has years of work in hand -and said if your money is in a british bank - get it out!!!!!

 

My solicitors over there all retired/dead now;-(

Edited March 12, 2009 by freebird54

[MARTIN3030]

No reason why you shouldnt go to Court if you have a case to put forward (I mean all the evidence and supporting info that you will be relying on ) The fact that they hae offered you £150 shows in part that they feel some responsibility.

 

Before Court however,send them a letter before action giving them 14 days to give a final response,and make it clear that you will be taking it to court.

Set out clearly your case,and how you will be satisfied,ie-what you consider you are due.

Which bank is this just out of interest ?

[freebird54]

Thanks for your advice

 

Bank begins with L ;-)

[MARTIN3030]

Ah Ha ok.

 

So send your letter to their Head office and remember to head it "Legal Notice"

Keep it short and brief,whilst at the same time making your points and your refusal of the £150 offer.

[freebird54]

I am using the ombudsman at the moment - considering the workload they must have they do keep me updated

[MARTIN3030]

They are snowed under so dont expect anything soon except templated letters telling you that they are dealing with it.

I personally would not have gone down that route-but its your choice.

[freebird54]

Thank you Martin - you are probably right

 

The ombudsman contact I have keeps changing due to "reorganisation" as does the customer service person at the bank dealing with it

 

thus it is hard for them to get up to speed having to go thru 6 months emails and letters each time they change

 

I wish my solicitors were still around

[bradleyt]

You can try to use the court system to your advantage but you can also make a rabbit appear out of thin air lol. Banks, regardless of their more than shallow pockets, didn't skimp out retaining solicitors for protection. Proceed with caution.