New Policy by (sh)Abbey? - refund with just a phone call

[gerryb2]

Wrote letter to MD back in April 2006. Got standard two fingered reply back saying effectively " dare you to take us to Court then" and by the way we'll close your account out of spite. Pondered this and set up fall back account just in case.

 

Finally got round to starting online Court Claim yesterday. Decided to ring Abbey just to tell them I was going ahead with Court and where they would like documents sent (well, OK I wanted to rub there noses in it a bit) and remind them of BBA policy on closing accounts out of spite.

 

Got through to customer complaints, gave her my reference no. Explained situation and had Court Claim online in front of me. Was asked if only claiming for £105 (3x£35 DD non payment) replied yes though I would claim interest, fees and time through court. Rest of conversation as follows;

 

CS "Well I can credit your account with the £105 now"

ME (shocked pause) "And you will take no unilateral action as far as my account is concerned"

CS "No everything will be carry on as before"

ME "Fine, i'll accept that"

CS "Transferring the £105 now... Ok that's gone through and will show on your next statement."

 

So there you go. This and other fine sites are having there effect. Could be that Abbey have delegated a limit to CCS staff just to stop all Court cases. So surprised that they rolled over I forgot to ask for interest (only £4 though).

 

Now where are those NatWest and Nationwide bank statements.......

[Odd Fellow]

Don't expect it to be quite as easy as that if you're claiming £1000 though.

 

However, it might be a new policy. Abbey knows it can't win these cases and it might be becoming resigned to the fact that to fight the claims simply costs more money anyway - better to pay it back before you get no option.

 

I very much doubt it though - the floodgates would open.

[Glenn UK]

I wold add that if you have large charges and have had lots of problems as a result of those charges, then you have the option to claim interst from you in the same way they charge you interest.

 

Of course its all an individuals choice, but personally I have had big financial problems exacerbated by the charges imposed by the bans and cc companies, and I think i deserve the interest.

 

JMHO

 

Glenn

[shuttleworth96]

Felt really encouraged by your post gerryb2. I have an account which only goes back just over 2 years. Have done the intial request for details of charges and received 24 individual letters, each enclosing a statement and two seperate advertising leaflets!

No wonder their charges are so high!!! Today I received my first computer printed details and presume will receive several more in the next few days. Anyway, my charges only add up to about £250 altogether (which seems reasonably low compared to some) so, from what you have said, I reckon it might be worth a phone call to see if they'll refund them fairly quickly.