I want to reject Barclays offer - what do I do?

[chrismillard]

I apologise in advance if this has already been answered, but I'm accessing the net via a mobile phone and it's horrendously slow and expensive!

 

I've had a letter back from Barclays offering me £1000.00 as a "goodwill gesture" - this is much less than my calculation.

 

I want to decline this offer and try and get the full amount. Is there a letter template for my next step? I couldn't see one in the template library.

 

Also, do I enclose a copy of an N1 form (before I file it obviously)?

 

Your guidance would be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[MARTIN3030]

You do not specify at what stage the offer has been made ?

 

Did you send a prelim then a letter before action ?

As you have no dedicated thread with no history then its difficult to answer.

 

There are procedures to address the offer......simply write and tell them you reject it,

There are letters in the bank temps folders (link below)

 

However if you need further help it would assist users if you could give a full account of how your claim was started and how its progressed since then.

 

You could do this by replying to this post !!

 

[chrismillard]

Hi - sorry for my "vagueness". Here's the history so far.

 

Having read the article on the Motley Fool website, I requested copies of all of my statements for the previous 6 years, which Barclays sent me. I worked out that all of the fees came to over £4800 (without interest added).

 

I wrote to Barclays using the preliminary letter template, asking them to pay back the money that I felt they owed.

 

They initially responded with a letter saying it was being looked into, and they enclosed a complaints proceedure leaflet.

 

Next, I received a letter stating that they are "sorry to learn that you feel that the bank charges are unfair..." and saying that I was given a copy of the T's & C's when I opened the account.

 

They then go on to say "I am willing to offer the sum of £1000.00 towards the total amount you are seeking. This is with the cost and inconvenience inherent in a further dispute in mind and is intended as a gesture of goodwill. If you would like to accept my offer please sign and return the enclosed form in the pre-paid envelope provided. I will arrange for the payment to be credited direct to your account within seven working days of receipt of your acceptance."

 

Now, £1000.00 is tempting considering I'm on minimum wage, but I also think "in for a penny, in for a pound" - I don't feel that I should settle, and it would appear that they obviously know they are in the wrong even though they don't admit it.

 

So what I want to know is how to word my reply declining their offer and ensure that I get what I feel I am owed. One final thing though, I DON'T want to ask for the interest as this would take me over the £5k threshold for a small-claim!

 

Your help is appreciated.

[Holteender]

A quick note along the lines of:

 

"Dear Sir/Madam,

 

With reference to your letter of XXXX, I am willing to accept your offer of £1000 only as part payment of my claim and I will continue to seek redress for the remaining balance through the courts if necessary.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Chrismillard."

 

They'll write back to you saying that their offer was only as a full and final settlement and it is with regret that they will see you in court. At that point, its Moneyclaim time.

[MARTIN3030]

You then need to send a final letter before action the temps folder has this letter (link at bottom )

 

You can make reference to their offer within the letter itself by modifying it slightly.

 

You can add.........I acknowledge reciept of your letter of ............in response to my request for a full refund of unlawful charges taken from my account.

As your offer of .........falls considerably short of the total amount being claimed,I am unable to accept this as full and final settlement.I would however consider this offer as part payment,on the understanding that I shall be pursuing recovery of the balance in the County Court should you fail to make a full refund.

 

 

5k is quite a lot and if it goes back a long time the interest will be good.

Personally I would consider splitting it into 2 as you will get your costs back and of course once you have all the figures can do the process quite quickly,

[tattietoo]

Good Morning! We are in a similar situation. Had an offer, it has now been upped by £185 but falls some £1,200 short. I'm a little muddled onhow to approach that we will accept as part settlement but will be pursueing for the rest. Sorry if I'm being thick. Anyone got any ideas? Thank you !!!

[MARTIN3030]

Well if the post above aint clear enough........?????

[Lightfoot]

Hi, I'm in the same position as ChrisMillard do I sign the letter they sent with the partial settlement offer and send that off with the "thanks but I'm still after the rest" letter? or would me signing that mean I've agreed to something and can't take it further which is what they elude to in their letter?

 

Many thanks.

[MARTIN3030]

No you are stressing that the offer will be accepted as part settlement only.

 

 

Claim for the full aamount will continue.

 

The offer is likely to be withdrawn and they only offer it in the first place as full and final.

Therefore you are refusing on their conditions.

[Lightfoot]

Thanks Martin.

[chrismillard]

OK, I sent a letter to Barclays stating that I would only accept £1000 as an interim payment. They have since written back saying that their offer was a goodwill gesture and was offered as full and final payment. They are still offering me the £1000 but say that they will not increase their offer.

 

Obviously, £1000 is not peanuts, but it does not compare to the £5000 I am trying to reclaim.

 

Is this a standard response? Do you suggest I take the £1000 and "run" or would I benefit from continuing? If so, what steps do I take next?

 

Many thanks

Chris

[Spotted Dog]

Was this a modified Letter Before Action you sent.

If it was, the 14 days are up and you start with Court Action unless you are SOOOOO desperate for their paltry £1000 you will give up on the other £4000.

 

They are just playing with you - YOU are calling the shots - THEY are in the wrong !

 

 

Spotty

[tattietoo]

"Well if the post above aint clear enough........?????"

 

A little harsh Martin, obviously not having a good day!

[Guest nad1ne]

I have received the same letter and I am filling in my money claim online as we speak. If they weren't in the wrong they wouldn't have offered you Jack, I mean £1k is an awful lot of "goodwill". Lets bring them down as a united front!

Good luck

[CLP]

Hi,

 

I have also received a 'goodwill offer' of 130.00pounds while the total claim was 260.00.

 

I will thank them for their part payment and go after the rest

 

CLP