is it time to sue?

homersimpson_3

i want to get my bank charges back from halifax so used standard letter on https://www.bankcharges. co.uk. sent letter 18/12/05 saying refund charges within 21 days (it was xmas) or i'll commence proceedings without further notice. they replied on 23/12/05 saying customer relations manager will reply within 4 weeks- no response to date. don't really want to phone them. what now? advice greatly appreciated. really need help on this one. thanks

Fedz

I would phone them to clarify they have in fact got the letter you sent - it could have been 'lost' in the post - unless you sent reg'd post!

I would fax the request as this must have been received and send to Halifax reg'd head office and or the local branch - they can't deny they have it by faxing and or reg'd post.

I'd call to follow-up but, you could do the above as you expressed a wish not to voice call.

Hope this helps.

dchurch24

If they replied to you, then they must have recieved your letter.

Go for the throat - if they haven't got the courtesey to even do as they said in their letter then they must be inviting the legal action.

They wouldn't give you an inch, I don't see why (especially as you have attempted to settle out of court already) you should give them an inch either.

Fedz

If their reply from the Halifax was in writing. Copy that to them along with your original request in a fax or reg'd post (as my previous reply) but, headed with big, bold and underlined 'Final Notice - Pending Legal Action'.

Worked a treat for me

homersimpson_3

sorry i didn't explain this very well- i wrote to them and got proof of posting. they replied acknowledging my letter and saying i should have a response within 4 weeks i.e. by 20/12/05. If i don't receive a reply by Friday (20/12/05) do you just sue them. if you did ring them up just you just say you're phoning because you didn't receive reply to letter. other posts on this forum say halifax will only refund one charge. they did this for me about 3 years ago.

Fedz

They should refund all charges that were applied to your account within the past 6 years if you outlined them or just the ones you highlighted, dpending on your original letter of request.

If you do phone them advise them that is follow-up call requesting the progress of your request. The letter back from the Halifax should have said who (name/area) is dealing with your request - so you could contact the person direct.

If they fail to respond then obviously you could just go to the County Court and fill in the N1 and submit that, they'll soon move then

I find this game a battle of wills as you want to avoid the hassle and cost of court action if possible - even though you'll get the money back it costs to do it.

dchurch24

I honestly wouldn't contact them again - they will not give the money back by asking for it alone.

You have written to them and asked for it back, they have acknowledged that and have chosen to lie to you about their response time in the hope that you go away.

It's probably their policy to do this in the hope that it confuses you and you do not take action against them.

I had a similar time with Smile; they kept promising a list of charges, then after several phone calls I finally received a schedule of charges - without the dates!! which I expressly asked for each time - I phoned up, got the bloke on the phone to give me the exact dates, worked out the APR from that and started proceedings.

They paid up in full, plus costs and interest within 2 weeks.

It's the only language they understand. They do not hesitate to start legal action against people who are already down, so why should we.

It is my opinion that you have given them more than enough time to comply - if an organisation that size cannot even write or phone back within 4 weeks, then they have no right being in business - what sort of customer 'service' is that?