jaxads v Halifax!!

[jaxads]

Hi Everyone. Super site. I've sent off my first letter to the halifax and am awaiting their response. Not sure what it will be, given that I'm asking for a refund of over £2,000!!! I've been reading up on everything on the site and feel excited, but scared too. I know they're not just going to say "here you are have your refund", but I'll keep you all posted. They've not responded inside of my deadline --- other than a letter to say they're looking into it and should get back to me within 4 weeks. Shall I contact them?? Good luck everyone.

[jaxads]

I'm new to this site and think I may have put the above message in the wrong place. Really sorry if I have!!!

[jaxads]

Hi to everyone on this fab site. I've just joined and think I posted my first message in the wrong thread!!!!! I've sent off my letter to the Halifax, detailing all charges and giving them a timescale to respond. They've sent a standard response saying under the FSA they are are allowed 28 days to respond. Is that correct?? It's just that when they tell me they will take charges within 7 days, I cannot say to them, well hold on can you wait four weeks??? The prospect of obtaining your money back from the bank is both exciting and scarey. I may be asking for some help and advice along the way. Good luck to everyone on this amazing site. I'll keep you all posted.

[MARTIN3030]

Welcome to the site.

You should give them 14 days with a follow up letter before action of another 14.

This is considered a reasonable timescale before court action.

Follow the tried and tested process from BAG

I suggest you read up thoroughly as you need to be prepared.

Also reading some Halifax threads will give you some good info on what to expect.

[jaxads]

Here's my timescales so far:

27 Nov - telephoned Halifax, on general customer service number to request last 6 years bank statements.

28 Nov - £5 charge taken out of account, as advised.

2 Dec - a huge bundle of statements arrive through the post, 3 per envelope!

4 Dec - 1st letter sent (asking for £2,216 - I was amazed at just how much I'd paid -- I thought it would have been something like £600)

8 Dec - letter received from the Halifax, dated 6 Dec, saying sorry I wasn't happy and they would look into this and get back to me shortly, but certainly within 4 weeks.

 

I'll keep you all posted! Keep up the good work and good luck all.

[jaxads]

Wowww!!! In the post this morning (15 December) was a reply to my first letter --- a whopping £1,445 - being two years worth of charges to the account - in full and final settlement. Now I could really do with that amount right now - but think I'll hang on there for the full whack!!! What do you all reckon?? Look forward to hearing from you. Jaxads x

[maroondevo52]

Hi, I'd go for the lot! your talking about another £800. A lot of cash.

Better in your pocket than theirs.

 

Best wishes with your claim.

 

Scott.

[ukaviator]

Hi Jaxads

 

You should accept anything they offer, but as partial payment only. Let them know that you will pursue them for the rest. There is a letter of rejection in the Bank Templates Library. I will get your thread moved to the Halifax forum now.

 

Good luck

 

Uk..

[jaxads]

Thanks ukaviator, but still a little unsure - despite having read loads and loads of Halifax threads!!. Do I do a LBA letter and then a separate part rejection letter??? Thank you for any help.

[ukaviator]

Hi Jaxads

 

Have a read here:

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/25716-rejection-settlement-offer.html

 

There is a rejection offer letter you can adapt. You should accept any offer as partial payment to your claim.Inform them that you will pursue them for the rest.Have a read at the link, it will explain what to do next.

 

Good luck

 

Uk

[blueskies]

Thread moved from welcome forum to Halifax forum

[jaxads]

Hi - Don't know if I'm being a bit dim here!! -- but the final offer they gave me was in response to my first letter, I've not yet sent an LBA. Do I send an LBA as well as a partial-acceptance offer?? And would I give them 14 days after the LBA to see what the response is? Is the 14 days - 14 calendar days or 14 working days (as we've a few bank holidays coming up)? I was going to telephone them tomorrow and ask if that "final offer" was negoitable and then say about claiming the rest and going all the way to court if necessary, then adding interest etc etc. Ohhhhh my head is going round and round - any further help would be appreciated. I think this is absolutely amazing and now just wish I had more bank accounts with past charges - tee hee!!! One more thing, my original letter wasn't taken from this site, and I put in the final paragraph that if necessary I would be taking legal action and adding interest, and also claiming for stress and further financial hardship caused by the charges -eee! Has anyone claimed for this?? Cheers guys. I see the total claimed back is now almost the magical £5m!!

[Michael Browne]

Amend the 1st paragraph of the LBA:

 

Thank you for your lettet dated xx/xx/xx

 

I respectfully decline your offer of settlement and request, once again, that you return to me all charges imposed on this account totalling £xxxx

 

I will accept the sum offered only as part settlement and on the clear understanding that I will pursue recovery of the remainder.

 

Don't telephone, keep everything in writing where possible

 

14 calendar days will take it to Dec 30th. If you file at MCOL then it won't be issued till at least Jan 2

[jaxads]

Cheers Michael - thanks for that. Something else confusing from the Halifax - I send the original letter to Trinity Road, Halifax. The response came from Leeds, but with a Newcastle telephone number and Newcastle franking stamp on the envelope??

[sallysas]

I would keep sending to Trinity Road. Is the other address a PO one? This is not acceptable when you file a MCOR or N1. But I'm not there yet.... Just keep reading, it becomes addictive AND FUN

[jaxads]

sallysas - you're right about this site being addicted. I cannot stop reading the threads either!!

[emmaf01]

Best fun you can have with a bank, at least!

[jaxads]

Right - have just faxed off my lba, and have amended the beginning as Michael Browne suggested above (many thanks Michael). I've faxed it to the fax number on the letter I received from them (and have confirmation that it;s faxed through ok), and have also posted it 1st class recorded delivery to the Trinity Road address. I've stated at the end my intention to "go all the way" (although not in those words!!) and will also claim for interest on the money owed. Fingers crossed.

[jaxads]

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! --- Halifax have until 1 January to respond to my letter - then its off to court we go!

[pinkglitter]

i'm at the same stage as you, started my claim only 3 weeks ago and recieved today an offer only £177 short of the full amount,letter saying something about 2 yrs bla bla bla i was toying with the idea of accepting but having read this thread your right better in my pocket then theirs...will send the rejection letter after crimbo...

[jaxads]

Hi Pinkglitter, I was really amazed at my first offer, after only one letter, but then thought if they could give me that much after 1 letter, I may as well go all the way. If they don't give me the full lot after the second letter, then you can add the interest at the court stage too so in some respects -- it's worth it!!! Eeeee, It's scarey and exciting at the same time. I just hope I'm not the first one they decide to take to court!!!

[sea-sidelady]

Hi jaxads,

Im at the same stage as you aswell. My mcol on the 2nd, and yes Very Scary..!

And i think every one thinks its going to be them to be the first that have to go to court, fingers crossed its not us.

I was very temped to accept my offer, but i got advice from the main guy (bankfodder) he advises to go the whole way, so off i go, he he

Good luck with yours.

[jaxads]

Hi -- I sent off my lba, with amended first paragraph accepting their initial offer, on 18 December. At what point do they actually credit you with the initial offer??? Hope you all had a great Christmas and here's to a fab 2007.

[hillards]

They don't actually credit you with the initial offer, unless you accept that amount.

 

What happens is that they send a letter to make an offer. This is currently based on the highest 2 years worth of charges you have had. If you don't think this is enough, and send them a rejection letter, then that offer will be withdrawn and they refer you to the Financial Ombudsman.

 

That's just time wasting. Even if you say you'll accept part payment, you don't get anything credited at that stage. You have to keep on the path to further success.

 

Having given them time to receive that letter I'd suggest calling the Newcastle office, the number on your offer letter, and speak to the person who sent it out (probably Jonathan Park?). Say you're about to go to court over this, and you'd like to give them another opportunity to make an offer. Chances are they'll come up with something a lot closer to your full claim amount.

 

It's up to you if you want to do this, and even if you do call you do not have to accept the revised offer - you can still reject it and go on to the court stage.

 

If you feel that they are not playing ball then get the court claim filed, when your 14 days are up, and claim the 'little extra' 8% interest, as well as refund of your court fees.

[sallysas]

But if you have no intention of accepting a better offer why go to the expense of a telephone call? There was a thread recently of someone receiving a part payment even though the offer was accepted as part settlement only.

 

Talking to a colleague at work today, his twin's girlfriend works/is a solicitor and her company is of the opinion that NO bank will turn up in court because of the ramifications if one case is successful. All bank charges would have to be paid back without us, Joe Public, doing very much about it. Just stick to your timescales and you know where to come for advice:-) Sally