A&L start to retaliate

[lindy123]

A&L shut down my account as soon as I got my charges back. I had a phonesave account into which I paid £25 a month and a flexiplan plus account with a debit balance. Flexiplan is linked to the current account so I knew it would have to be sorted out - I rang on the 10 October and settled the Flexiplan account and was surprised to receive a letter a few days later saying they wanted the balance immediately or they would instruct a debt collection agency.

I have drafted this to A&L - of course I've chopped it up for the forum but what do you all think? Do you think I could ask for more, say £34???

Any comments will be gratefully received

 

Alliance & Leicester plc

 

Account no. xxxxxx

14 October 2006

 

Dear Sir/Madam

Flexiplan Plus Account number xxxxxx

Notice served under section S8 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act

I write with reference to your letter dated 12 October 2006.

You should be aware that this account was in fact settled some days ago. I paid £199.91 from my Phone Save account and a further £566.05 using my Abbey Credit card. The authorisation code is xxxxxxx.

I am concerned that you have sent me a threatening letter although the balance has been paid – it was I that contacted Alliance & Leicester regarding payment not the other way round.

The reason that my account was closed was purely in retaliation at my claiming back bank penalty charges recently – I have banked with you for over 20 years and would have been happy to continue to do so. I did not choose to close my current account, that was the decision of Alliance & Leicester.

I enclose my invoice in the sum of £12.00 and payment should be made by cheque payable to Mrs xxx within seven days.

 

 

INVOICE NUMBER 001

 

TO: Alliance & Leicester plc

 

RE: Account no. xxxxxx

DATE: 14 October 2006

Being charges relating to time spent in the preparation of a letter of response to a letter dated 12 October 2006 from Alliance & Leicester. Itemised below:

 

To receiving unnecessary threatening letter, reading said letter, drafting response, printing response, preparing invoice, printing invoice, time spent taking said response and invoice to post box and posting, stationery and postage.

TOTAL DUE: £12.00

 

PAYMENT DUE 7 DAYS BY CHEQUE PAYABLE TO MRS xxx

[Lil]

Good one Lindy!! Keep us informed on how it has gone

[alexifa]

I think invoicing them for £12 is a bit steep. Surely it doesn't cost that much to send a letter....LOL

[lindy123]

I think invoicing them for £12 is a bit steep. Surely it doesn't cost that much to send a letter....LOL

 

Exactly I know it's steep (LOL) but think of all the time and trouble I've taken to put a letter together, honestly the bank has got to understand that these things cost money!!! LOL :lol:

 

If they pay up I am going to scan the cheque and post it on my website, this bank baiting is fun isn't it! I was laughing as I typed (after being very annoyed initially) and just thought NO they cannot continue treating us like this. Debt collector??? What a cheek - it was me that initiated repayment.

[nackers]

I love this - so cheeky!

[lindy123]

Well - they are really worried aren't they ... got a cheque for £12 plus a letter of apology this morning!!!

[debt_mountain]

Which debt collector are you going to use to chase them for the debt when they don't pay?

 

You also forgot to add in the claim for distress!!

[lindy123]

A&L shut down my account as soon as I got my charges back. I had a phonesave account into which I paid £25 a month and a flexiplan plus account with a debit balance. Flexiplan is linked to the current account so I knew it would have to be sorted out - I rang on the 10 October and settled the Flexiplan account and was surprised to receive a letter a few days later saying they wanted the balance immediately or they would instruct a debt collection agency.

I have drafted this to A&L - of course I've chopped it up for the forum but what do you all think? Do you think I could ask for more, say £34???

Any comments will be gratefully received

 

Alliance & Leicester plc

 

Account no. xxxxxx

14 October 2006

 

Dear Sir/Madam

Flexiplan Plus Account number xxxxxx

Notice served under section S8 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act

I write with reference to your letter dated 12 October 2006.

You should be aware that this account was in fact settled some days ago. I paid £199.91 from my Phone Save account and a further £566.05 using my Abbey Credit card. The authorisation code is xxxxxxx.

I am concerned that you have sent me a threatening letter although the balance has been paid – it was I that contacted Alliance & Leicester regarding payment not the other way round.

The reason that my account was closed was purely in retaliation at my claiming back bank penalty charges recently – I have banked with you for over 20 years and would have been happy to continue to do so. I did not choose to close my current account, that was the decision of Alliance & Leicester.

I enclose my invoice in the sum of £12.00 and payment should be made by cheque payable to Mrs xxx within seven days.

 

 

INVOICE NUMBER 001

 

TO: Alliance & Leicester plc

 

RE: Account no. xxxxxx

DATE: 14 October 2006

Being charges relating to time spent in the preparation of a letter of response to a letter dated 12 October 2006 from Alliance & Leicester. Itemised below:

 

To receiving unnecessary threatening letter, reading said letter, drafting response, printing response, preparing invoice, printing invoice, time spent taking said response and invoice to post box and posting, stationery and postage.

TOTAL DUE: £12.00

 

PAYMENT DUE 7 DAYS BY CHEQUE PAYABLE TO MRS xxx

 

They paid up! and aplogized profusely for any inconvenience and distress :grin:

[Lil]

Well done, thats great news!! Now they can see its not nice to treat people like that!!

[younganfree]

Wow. This is truly fantastic. 8-)

[Tinkerbelle]

LOL.. this is funny.

 

Congrats!

[Rooster-UK]

Beautiful, just BEAUTIFUL

:D

[Tinkerbelle]

To receiving unnecessary threatening letter, reading said letter, drafting response, printing response, preparing invoice, printing invoice, time spent taking said response and invoice to post box and posting, stationery and postage.

TOTAL DUE: £12.00

 

PAYMENT DUE 7 DAYS BY CHEQUE PAYABLE TO MRS xxx

 

 

My favourite bit! :D

[lindy123]

I've got copies of my letter and invoice plus scans of A&L's response and cheque if anyone wants to use them.

 

I was laughing as I typed and thought what the heck but I laughed louder when I got the apology and cheque - it's just delicious :grin:

[morgan054]

Revenge is so sweet, never laughed so much at this time in the morning

 

Fantastic result

[Guest ian cognito]

Pure genious! I can't believe they paid up on this, I now wonder if they would have disputed a charge of £35????

[Thailand]

Letter copied and pasted to Word for future reference - I hope you don't mind. CLASSIC, just classic. In fact I've seen this attempted before, but I never seen them pay up - LOVERLEE!!

[lindy123]

I am happy to post/email complete word docs including scans of grovelling response and cheque if anyone wants to use them.

My invoice (no. 001) paid in full and promptly - RESULT

[nackers]

wonderful!

[Isiris]

This may sound really really really stupid and extreme

 

But as you issued an invoice, make sure you declare it on your Tax Return

 

You just Never Ever know

[Thailand]

Thanks for the email Lindy!

[younganfree]

Bumping this in response to a comment made by matt-man today - just out of interest and not suggesting anyone should 'try this at home'!