Barclaycard/Mercers next step...

[FredF]

There is a two word version I could employ

 

But yes I'll try and come up with something a bit more 'to the point'

[victoria_siempre]

Sorry Fred

 

I wasn't clear: replace "I wish to make a formal complaint to Barclaycard" with "This is a formal complaint" and head the letter: FORMAL COMPLAINT; otherwise the jokers will ignore it. Send it recorded etc etc The rest is fine.

 

x

 

v

[FredF]

Sorry Fred

 

I wasn't clear: replace "I wish to make a formal complaint to Barclaycard" with "This is a formal complaint" and head the letter: FORMAL COMPLAINT; otherwise the jokers will ignore it. Send it recorded etc etc The rest is fine.

 

x

 

v

 

Ah, okay, thanks vic. I'll do that.

[FredF]

I've changed some of the wording:

 

With reference to the letter I recently received from Mercers, who are acting as Barclaycard’s agent, with the above reference regarding my twice made offer of a £1 payment being refused.

 

This is a formal complaint to Barclaycard for the unfair treatment of my account, by your agent, in respect to my offer and would like to draw your attention to the recent Office of Fair Trading Vs MBNA ruling with regards to consumers in financial difficulties offering token payments.

 

I would like to ask you once again to accept my £1 offer, I’m more than happy to setup a standing order for that amount. I would also ask again that you freeze all interest and charges to enable me to make some impact against this debt.

 

I look forward to your response.

[victoria_siempre]

Hi Fred

 

Your complaint is against Bcard; Mercers are merely agents of Bcard and Bcard are accountable for Mercers' actions.

 

So it's a formal complaint to Bcard for their refusal to accept an affordable offer.

 

And it's a formal complaint to Bcard about the harassment bytheir agent.

 

Do not get sidetracked about Mercers, they are a red herring deliberately put there to confuse you.

 

You is you; the enemy is Bcard.

 

x

 

v

Edited February 9, 2011 by victoria_siempre
grammar

[FORMISTER]

I told you Fred!

[victoria_siempre]

Hi Formister

 

Whilst, for the avoidance of doubt, I take this as a compliment, you may have confused Fred.

 

x

 

v

 

PS 'mean' is not an adjective in English though the Yanks may pretend that it is so.

Edited February 9, 2011 by victoria_siempre
Pedantic comment

[FORMISTER]

Yes but the yanks also believe that Obama is the 44th president, when he's not, he's the 43rd.

 

And yes it was a compliment

[victoria_siempre]

Hi FM

 

If you play the office not the man then he is the 44th, anyway, can we get back to helping OP play a mean game?

 

x

 

v

Edited February 9, 2011 by victoria_siempre
omission

[FORMISTER]

Yes getting side tracked again. Although most Yanks believe it means they have had 44 different people.

 

Getting back on to subject. The letters good, lets see what it brings back from the OC

[FredF]

Thanks vic, I added a paragraph regarding the continued threat to send a debt collection agent round that I described as intimidation and removed reference to Mercers except for the reference. I've directed the complaint directly at Barclaycard.

[victoria_siempre]

Hi Fred

 

Good. Having identified the enemy simply fire.

 

x

 

v

[FredF]

Sent today Formister & Vic, I'll let you know when I get a reply

[FORMISTER]

Good stuff, when you receive your reply post it up and we will be lurking around somewhere

[FredF]

Just an update, my complaint letter was signed for on Monday, so I'm still waiting for a response from Barclaycard themselves. However, Mercers began phoning me on Sunday morning, in fact twice on Sunday morning (landline & mobile) and then twice Sunday lunchtime.

 

They've rung me each morning at 8am sharp this week, this morning I answered, and after refusing once again to go through security and insisting I will only correspond in writing, the girl on the phone said 'we'll never write to you'. I asked why and she said 'we will only talk to you direct on the phone, and we will continue to phone until you do'.

 

I'm going to send them the telephone harassment letter today, but can't imagine it'll make any difference. If they continue to call after that, I'll make an official complaint to the OFT and give them everything so far.

[FORMISTER]

They will soon change their mind when you make your complaints and send the letter. Also ask for a copy of their complaints procedure.

 

Lots of people purchase a device which screens their calls and never get a call centre directly through again, costs approx £99 if you can afford it.

 

They will soon get ****ed off not being able to talk to.

[FredF]

Thanks Formister, I've just had a call from someone at Barclaycard customer relations. Basically she said that they've accepted my complaint and they will send out a letter today to explain the result. I hope it's good news.

[FredF]

Guys I just want to say thanks again for your help with this problem, I received a letter this morning from BC confirming that they will call off the dogs, freeze the interest and charges and now accept my offer. They even sent me a standing order form to help me out (though I did double check it wasn't a direct debit mandate in disguise). I'm going to set that up and leave it a month before I start the process of claiming back my PPI.

[chazzo125]

After sending in my letter of complaint with a covering letter, to customer services, Mercers and the Barclays Group Chairman, I had a phone call from their Head Office and a further call, after they had investigated, though not upholding the complaint ( no surprise there as they investigated themselves! ) at least putting interest and charges on hold. I said though that I had consulted a debt advisor who advised me that my food etc amount budgeted for was far too low, and that therefore I could afford £1 only per month, technically not able to afford even this. What a struggle though....

 

They have yet to send me a copy of my signed agreement with them, waiting on this with bated breath!

 

Re: OFT, don't bother with them, they only deal with other matters. Correct procedure eg with telephone harassment is to go to Citizens Advice, AND write direct to the Financial Ombudsman. Inform Barclaycard of these, and make a formal written complaint to Barclaycard as the Financial Ombudsman will write back to you and await Barclaycard's response to the formal complaint before dealing with your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman, but you might get an accelerated and more sympathetic response from Barclaycard in the meantime!

 

Barclays Head Office have said they will implement call monitoring for Mercers, so you might get a message saying the call is being recorded by them. Whether this will take any sting off their tactics, only time will tell. DO write down the times and dates of all calls from Customer services, Mercers or Alders, as being harassed by them might stand in your favour if it ends up in county court.

Edited February 26, 2011 by chazzo125
addition