NotWatson vs NatWest

[notwatson]

Hi everyone,

 

I've just finished a successful claim against Lloyds TSB - I won on the 15th May and was paid £4,944,18

 

I have today picked up my 6 years worth of statements from my local branch of NatWest and am shocked.

 

My charges over the last 6 years total £10,292 - Obviously I need some advise here - as this is so huge - can anyone hold my hand in this early stage please, as I understand that there may be issues with claims over and above £5,000.

 

I have not added *any* interest - just added up the charges.

 

I requested my statements on the 12th January and they have been in the branch safe for a while as I was so busy with my claim against Lloyds. So, at least I don't have to wait for the initial 40 days to be up and if I get the right advice here, I am keen to send my first letter requesting settlement of these charges.

 

Please help !

 

Jon

[fendyweather]

Hi there, done worry, Im currently in process of court for £11701.00 plus interest and court costs, so looking at 16K all told. Nothing to worry about, and nothing to fear from fast track to keep the claim all in one. It will be fine........... but court costs could be high-ish. Mine cost £400 to submit, but dont worry. You will get it back at the end. Fendy xx

[fendyweather]

Just keep the claim whole as one and go for it. Seriously, you will be fine. Fendy xx

[tant23]

Good luck mate...

 

You are in good hands here...

[notwatson]

Thanks for the encouraging comments - I'm sure I am in very good hands - having looked briefly around the NatWest forum.

 

One question - as these charges relate to my sole current account. . .

 

My wife and I hold a joint "STEP" account with NatWest (great - as it does not offer an overdraft - and as such, can not ever incur charges of any sort (!) - but offers the convenience of a debit card accepted everywhere [solo]).

 

Here's the question - will this action affect this joint account or not ? (I am not concerned if they shut my account down, as it is always in credit now, but not by very much - [tax credits go in and get transferred straight out again using phone banking into the STEP account] - there's no other movement on that account).

 

Would you recommend we open a parachute account or have the banks stopped doing that sort of thing now . . . ?

 

Sorry - I sound a bit like a "Newby" but it's just being in a slightly unfamiliar forum !

 

Thanks,

 

Jon

[tant23]

I would certainly make sure i had another account...just in case...

but i cant see them being able to affect it anyway...if there is no overdraft facility etc..

But i am sure someone who knows better will be along shortly to advise...

[fendyweather]

Its like this, NO THEY SHOULDNT SHUT YOUR ACCOUNT DOWN, AND IF THEY DO THEN YOU CAN BASICALLY SUE THEM FOR RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINST YOU AND COMPLAIN TO THE FO ABOUT IT. And the fact its always in credit would indicate that they shouldnt close it down, and if they do then its unlawful for them to do so, and you can pursue them through the courts for taking this action against you and get compensation. However, in order to be on the ultra safe side, its always best to have another account open and ready to use JUST IN CASE. It really shouldnt happen, but better safe than sorry as the old saying goes. All the best............ Dont let it stop you from starting your claim though. Fear never served anybody well. Be bold, be brave and go forth and get your month. Its yours................ Fendy xxxx

[notwatson]

Prelim. letter went off yesterday (special delivery).

 

Total charges are £10,343

 

As it was posted on the 23rd, is the 14 days up on the 7th of June ? (calendar days rather than working days).

 

Thanks,

 

Jon

[Parkvale]

Hi , the days are counted as calender days 7th June is 14 calender days. Yes.

Good luck.

[notwatson]

Thanks.

 

Can anyone give some idea of how often NatWest settle before the county court claim stage ? I have a feeling (from my reading and experience) that Lloyds TSB never settle before the court stage (my claim against them invloved going as far as issuing a warrant of execution after a Judgment by default was issued against them - they paid on the exact same day that my warrant was issued using MCOL, so didn't pay the warrant fee [as with MCOL things aren't actioned until 10am the following day] - but I've asked MCOL for a refund and if I don't get that, I'll ask the bailiff to get it from Lloyds !).

 

Also, do NatWest routinely make an offer of settlement after either the prelim. or LBA letters ?

 

Stupid questions I'm sure - especially with such a large claim, but in my dream world, they would offer me a complete settlement around about the LBA stage . . . . Ah . . . dream on!

 

Jon

[hedgey06]

Hi Jon, there's really no way whatsoever to call this one. I've read threads where a couple of peeps have been paid after prelim, quite a lot where they've been paid after LBA, a lot where peeps have decided to wait the full 8 weeks that Nat West ask them to............. but even more where others have filed at court.

 

The one thing I do know, is that everything I've read points to the fact that they will pay up! It's entirely up to you what you want to do - whether to wait the 8 weeks that they request of file at court straight after LBA. Little tip though - I filed LBA 1 week after prelim deadline, then waited 2 weeks after LBA deadline to file at court - week and a half ago. And I still haven't had one single letter or communication with Borehamwood - they haven't acknowledged me at all!!

 

Stick with it - stick to your timescales - and you will get your money back.

 

Good luck, hedgey xxx

[notwatson]

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

Subsequently, I've completed the spreadsheet showing all charges and with the (optional) 8% - thanks to everyone for those.

 

When I sent my Prelim. I wrote:

"I have previously requested details of all charges made in the last six years and you furnished me with a complete record of my bank statements covering this period. I am therefore in possession of a complete schedule of charges and can supply this if necessary (although as the information came from yourselves, I imagine this will not be necessary) "

 

I just wanted to get that letter off asap - and then do the schedule ready for LBA - which I have now done. So I can now send it with my LBA on the 7th June. Do you all reckon this is ok? or should I send it to customer relations now so that they can lose it and not staple it to my prelim. letter !?

 

Having won against Lloyds TSB recently (btw - I had *no* communication from them or their solicitors [only official court documents] - they didn't enter a defence - still radio silence even though they paid my claim in full [including interest] on the 15th May!) and unfortunately being taken right to the wire and having to issue a warrant of execution, does anyone have any idea of the percentage of NatWest claims that get settled before the MCOL stage ? (I read somewhere that actually issuing the warrant is very rare - lucky me !).

 

Eight days left now for them to reply to my prelim. letter - I assume the general advice would be not to hold my breath !

 

best,

 

jon

[WendyB]

No, don't hold your breath, hardly anyone gets a reply to the Prelim, although I did, perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones.

 

Did you actually give them a total of what you're claiming in your Prelim? If not, then I would strongly advise that you do otherwise they'll just use this as an excuse to mess you about. I would definately ring them and ask if you can email them a copy of the schedule.

With regard to sending the schedule with LBA, definitely do this, but the 8% cannot be claimed at this stage, it isn't really "optional", can only be claimed when it gets to court, so hide this on your schedule before you send it with LBA

 

Wendy

[hedgey06]

Subsequently, I've completed the spreadsheet showing all charges and with the (optional) 8% . Hide the 8% interest column - this can only be awarded by the courts. I just wanted to get that letter off asap - and then do the schedule ready for LBA - which I have now done. So I can now send it with my LBA on the 7th June. Do you all reckon this is ok? or should I send it to customer relations now so that they can lose it and not staple it to my prelim. letter !? LBA goes to the Customer Relations Unit (Borehamwood address) - schedule of charges should be attached.

 

Does anyone have any idea of the percentage of NatWest claims that get settled before the MCOL stage ?. Difficult to call - some are settled at Prelim/LBA - some are settled after filing MCOL/N1 - others go to the wire!

 

I assume the general advice would be not to hold my breath ! Never a good idea - one may die in the process!!!

 

Good luck, hedgey xx

[notwatson]

Thank-you Wendy and Hedgey.

 

Of course, yes, I did add all the charges up for the prelim. and inserted the correct figure into the (excellent) template preliminary letter.

 

And yes, calm down everyone, I used the wrong word - I know that the 8% is only claimable at court claim stage and used the word "optional" to be applied to my viewing preferences for the spreadsheet - I can see it or hide it at will. You are all such sticklers for doing things (and saying things) the right way, the CAG way and imho The best way !

 

It's good to know that if any of us do get things back-to-front there are good people here to stop us spinning and point us towards the light again !

 

I sent the prelim. to Borehamwood and will send LBA there too - with the schedule attached.

 

After a 5 month battle with Lloyds TSB I just hope this gets resolved quickly (although at over £10K I can't see it happening like that - in reality).

 

Onwards !

 

Jon

[hedgey06]

Onwards..................... and definitely upwards!!!!

 

Fingers crossed for a payout at LBA for you Jon, but sounds like you're totally prepared for the long haul anyway (which is just well given how unpredictable nat west/cobblers are!!!)

 

Hedgey xxx

[fendyweather]

Sorry mate, but with claim over 10K, I will eat my own shoes if they settle at LBA.................. expect it to go right to a court date my friend................... they will drag this one out at long as they possibly can based on my experience of my claim, £11701. plus interest, makes just under 16K, and still waiting, after starting all this in January. It will drag on and on and on I think............ but at least it gives you plenty of time to read up on everything you need to know. See, every negative has a positive somwhere, Lol xxx All the best. Fendyxxxxx

[WendyB]

No Fendy - don't do it - not the Jimmy Choos!!!!!!!!

[notwatson]

Hi all.

 

Standard letter from Stuart Higley just arrived, dated 01-Jun-2007.

 

Here's the letter...

 

"Dear Mr ******

 

Thank you for your recent letter regarding the fees applied to your account.

 

We are currently considering your claim. Given the work involved in assessing your claim we anticipate that we will be in a position to respond within 6-7 weeks, but will endeavour to do so sooner if we are able to.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Stuart Higley

Customer Relations"

 

 

Now . . . I assume this is the letter that everyone else has had at this stage (if they have had contact).

 

The thing is, tomorrow is the day for me to send my LBA with schedule attached as per my preliminary letter (sent 23/05/07) - so I take it that I still send the LBA, as 6-7 weeks does not fit into my timetable.

 

If someone could just confirm this, then the LBA and schedule of charges will go off special delivery tomorrow morning. Perhaps advise whether I should use the template LBA or whether I should alter it to respond to their 6-7 weeks timescale. Thanks.

 

I suppose the fact that NatWest have made contact within my first deadline and, bearing in mind the magnitude of my claim (£9,330 in charges alone) this means that they will take me all the way . . .

 

I am well prepared with all the information at hand and will not rest until this is done.

 

Onwards !

 

Jon

[Parkvale]

Stick to your tmescales and not the banks. You may well receive an offer from them in 6 to 7 weeks time. They will not rush for anyone. Letter is standard reply. Good luck.

[WendyB]

Yes definitely send the LBA, although it probably won't make any difference to them as they are working on a 56 day timescale. I personally wouldn't alter it to fit their timescale, but others may think differently.

 

They do seem to be responding to more people now, but its only a standard letter, everyone gets the same, I think it just gets sent out automatically, before they've eveen looked at the claims.

 

Onwards and upwards

 

Wendy

[notwatson]

Hello everyone,

 

Just a quick post to say that my LBA is printed out with my schedule of charges and will be posted by special delivery first thing this morning.

 

As NatWest replied I altered the first line of the template LBA to read:

 

"I am very disappointed that you have only responded to my letter of the 23rd May 2007 with a standard letter."

 

I think this is appropriate, as I am disappointed.

 

The bank have until 21st June to respond.

 

I'm sure that I won't get paid before then, so am bracing myself for MCOL - although I am absolutely prepared - like all the best advice says - I am assuming this will go to court - then if it does I'll be 100% prepared - if it doesn't, I'll be pleasantly surprised !!

 

Have a good day everyone !

 

Jon

[notwatson]

One other thing - can one of the Moderators perhaps change the title of my thread - as "about to start" seems inappropriate now. Something along the lines of "NotWatson vs NatWest" would be better !!

 

Thanks

 

Jon

[notwatson]

Hi Everyone,

 

Tomorrow (21st) is the deadline set out in my LBA.

 

I am ready and willing to file the N1 form at my local court - I used MCOL for my Lloyds claim, but think I will struggle to get all the info into the on-line form for this one !

 

I have a couple of questions though . . .

 

1. How much is this gonna cost me ? (claim is £9,330 - 8% interest is £1,261.29 as of 21st June [tomorrow]).

 

2. I've read quite a few threads where people have filed their claims only to receive an offer seemingly posted a few days earlier. Will it look really bad if I leave this N1 form until Monday next week ? I just think that as it falls across a weekend, I will only actually lose 1 day, compared to MCOL, as they don't action any claim until 10am the following day . . .

 

I know these probably seem to be dumb questions but I've got a two feelings - one is that I may get an offer any day (dreaming obviously) and the other is that I will have to go all the way on this one (reality bites !).

 

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

 

Onwards !

 

Jon

[notwatson]

Hi !

 

Today is LBA deadline - postie has not been yet, so no news (not really expecting any !).

 

One good thing - whilst plugging a cable into the back of the computer, I found a glossy copy of the NatWest "A guide to Personal Current Account fees and interest" - good to have for the court bundle !! I notice in there that there's a section headed "6. Fees" - which basically outlines all the charges we claim back - then the section after next is headed "8. Fees for specialist services" - such as canceling cheques etc... I think this is where they trip themselves up when they say that their charges are fees for legitimate services - how come they are listed in separate sections then ? - Hmmmm - interesting !

 

I would really like it if a Moderator could possibly change the name of this thread to "NotWatson vs. NatWest" - as "about to start" is not right any more !!! Thanks.

 

I'll keep crossing my fingers, but am 100% prepared for dropping my N1 form down to the court on Monday (it's all ready to go !).

 

Cheers

 

J