Payment Due Dates - Skulduggery!!!

xrdinkydoo

Hi there!

Is it just me, or has anyone else been stung for a Late Payment Fee because their credit card provider has underhandedly brought forward the card's "payment due date"? (pdd)

I've had a 0% card with MBNA since May 2007 and have always paid-off £75 (by SO) on the 9th of the month, even tho' the pdd was not until the 14th, some 5 days later. However, my recent statement has a charge fee because my payment should have arrived by the 8th, so it was a day late.

I phoned them to discuss the situation (in a pleasant manner) but they said that they won't refund the fee (curt, unpleasant manner) because it's my fault! They say I should pay more attention to my statements and that I should have paid by DD if I had wanted to avoid this situation!

Is there anyone I can take this up with, or should I just grin and bear it?

Thanks for taking the time to read/reply to this post

xrdinkydoo :mad:

Tim_Parker

Thats crazy. I wouldnt grin and bare it if it were me.

Personally in that kind of situation I would call them and ask to speak to a manager and just persist - keeping them on the phone for as long as possible saying you wont leave until its resolved (but stayig calm). That way they shouldnt put the phone down on you and will eventually hopefully give in.

Good luck !

xrdinkydoo

Thanks for your reply Tim.

That's just what I've done, so far. I asked to speak to her manager but she said that there wasn't one available? She said that I would get a call back in the next 48 hours but the answer would still be NO!

So, in the meantime, I've taken the name of the "person that was talking at me" but I'm not holding my breath for the return call.

dolally_2

I am sorry but I really don't see you getting anywhere. MBNA must surely have advised you of the date your payment was due by on your last statement and they are right - setting up a direct debit could have avoided this.

When was your 0% due to run out? My concern would be an abrupt end to the promotional rate as opposed to the charge itself, which I suspect you will have to take on the chin.

YorkshireBoy

Is this a one-off change this month, or have they written to you recently informing you that the interest free period is reducing from 56 to 50 days (as they have with others) and you didn't read (or read but didn't understand) the notice of variation?

Also, allowing only 5 days is going to catch you out if ever Easter falls around the 14th of the month (with 4 lost bank working days).

Some advice...set up a minimum payment DD and pay the rest by SO or separate funds transfer each month.

normanmark

Always check your statements

xrdinkydoo

Thanks for your replies.

This is a one-off charge.

I only have 1 more payment left, and am well within the 0% holiday period.

The money leaves my bank account no later than the 5th of the month so will always arrive well before the 14th. And I hear what you're saying about the pdd appearing on the last statement but when things are running smoothly with longterm DD's and SO's, how many people actually check the pdd on the statement?

On checking by previous statements, since May 2008, the pdd has got earlier by 1 day per month, with a 2 day jump last month! NOT ON, if you ask me, hence the reason for my post.

normanmark

Sometimes the dates change purely because of the amount of days in certain months, some have more, some have less.

YorkshireBoy

xrdinkydoo wrote: »

I only have 1 more payment left, and am well within the 0% holiday period.

In your OP you said you'd had the card since May 2007. Did you mean 2008? If not, then you've done well to eek out 16 months on the deal.

You ought to ask them if they've withdrawn the 0% rate, because it's likely they will have. DO NOT wait until the next statement to find out.

xrdinkydoo

I initially took the card on in May 2007 and then took advantage of a new BT rate in December 2007 which runs thro' to December 2008.

YorkshireBoy

If other postings (and the T&C's) are anything to go by, you'll almost certainly have lost your 0% rate and now be paying YOUR standard rate.

With MBNA, you won't find out if you've lost the 0% rate for a full month (and maybe 5 weeks) until your next statement is produced/delivered.

They're open 24 hours on a freephone number. I suggest you call now and try to strike whilst the iron is hot.

If you don't get any joy tonight, ring Customer Loyalty in the morning (office hours/Sat morning only) on 0800 783 1116.