12 GBP for late min. payment

stef.steve

Quick and straitforward question.

Can the fee in the subject be claimed back from the bank with the template letter this site has prepared (and I guess is famous for?)

As it is not "interest" but a "fee" I wonder
if it cannot be considered execcive for one day delay.

Thanks for any reply
Steve

ILW

Doubt if you can reclaim, but if its a first and you give them a call they may take it off.

cifpower

If it is a first offence give them a call, apologise and they may refund it

Merlinexcalibur

First time 'offense' they are usually reasonable. Having said that, it's all down to the person who answers the phone or you see at the branch about it. Discretionary in other words. The banks argument will be 'it was a reasonable' charge. As usual.

Oh, and it depends which bank, too. I got round two of my banks, though, this last 12 months over fees over the phone. Because I think £35 for the initial 'fine' is extortionate but then to be charged another £28 next month for the same thing is just outrageous. Especially as it plunges you into further debt, then next month get charged more and so on. Though, once I explained how much severity this would have on my finances, leaving me unable to pay for certain things out of my budget which had to be paid or else (!) I found the fees weren't taken. Despite getting a letter telling me they were going to. It restored my faith in human kindness but, again, probably because I hit on a very helpful person when I phoned. Who instantly saw the difficulties I would face if I had been charged. Which is why I am glad about the court case because one of my building societies has a recorded message on their automated service about them still waiting for the decision about fees. And, if you weren't in the know about such things, you'd go away thinking 'oh, have to wait then'. Which I think is the whole point of slipping the message in right at the beginning of the message.

Oh, whilst I remember this but Abbey staff are telling people in branch that if they have had a fee refunded in the last 12 months then they cannot have any more refunded until the new year commences. Just to mention that.

Consumerist

If you can't get it back as a goodwill gesture, the legal route could be a load of hassle.

The OFT has said that it would automatically regard a default fee as "unfair" if it exceeded £12. This does not mean that it would automatically regard a charge of £12 or less as "fair". This appears to be the banks' current view, however.

You would need to take the bank to court and ask the court to get the bank to justify its charges.

In the past, banks have not been prepared to open their books to scrutiny and usually don't turn up to the hearing. In that case you would win by default.

If your up for it, give it a try but I don't know what it may cost you.

[Deleted User]

Im seeing more and more of these threads, as mentioned above, if its a first offence i see no reason why they wouldnt refund it. If you are doing it time and time again you deserve it simple as, you arent learning your lesson otherwise.

Given the current banking crisis you would think people might show a bit more understanding, the banks are not far off collapsing and people are demanding back charges which theyve been charged for good reason.. no wonder this country is messed up.

Please note: Before some idiot comes along - The reason for the banking crisis has nothing to do with charges however at this stage it isnt helping one bit.

Thanks

System

my DH has been off sick for 7 months so the insurance has been making the payments the last payment they made was a day late so we have had a letter saying we will be charged a £12 fee needless to say he will be phoning them monday morning .

Consumerist

Supercharge_Me wrote: »

The reason for the banking crisis has nothing to do with charges...

This is possibly true but more likely to be the idiotic banks falling over themselves to lend to people who can't afford to pay back.

The fact seems to be that the banks have acted illigally in overcharging for defaults. It is also probable that they are continuing to act illegally by charging more than the actual cost of default.

It's these "idiots" who have brought the world's banking system virtually to its knees.

You're very welcome.

Merlinexcalibur

This is possibly true but more likely to be the idiotic banks falling over themselves to lend to people who can't afford to pay back.

Agreed. And, sometimes (not always) it can be due to banking error you are charged fees. And, let's face it, they are not always above board when it comes to admitting this. I'd prefer they were TBH because it develops good customer relations. The other thing, I see no sense in charging people already in debt more when it gets them further and further into debt. It's not really helping. Except to excerbate an already difficult situation. And IMHO charging someone £38 for going one penny over ... is tantamount to extortion. And nothing less than what used to occur during Prohibition (which, thanks to the media's negative insistance of ramming the Wall Street Crash down our throats - as if we need to be reminded how bad things are, let's make everyone even more depressed, worried they might lost their jobs tomorrow, can't afford food is fueling most of it). Accidental or not. But it's all computerized so no modicombe of discretion is there. I think it should or would be fairer if fees were charged on incremental scales eg if you go over a few pence, then no fee. But, for example, if it's something like £100 upwards then a higher fee and so on. However, right now, we have banks like Barclays charging people £22 every FIVE days if you don't bring your account back into it's limits.

If anyone should be hauled over the coals it is Gordon Brown. What has been going on is criminal IMHO. So, I won't be the 'idiot' who votes for them next Election. If, that is, they allow one. Probably never way things are going.

stef.steve

Dear all,

thanks for all your kind replies. to be honest I have never seen so much of a good will attitude on the bank's side. I have 3 cases of first offence as i changed my main bank account and messed up with the timing.

If I have well understood, should I take the phone, say sorry and ask if they could kindly remove their charge?!? Or isn't it better a letter?

Thanks for your replies.

nzseries1

I find a phone call AND an apologetic letter work - it worked for me getting a £25 returned direct debit refunded last year with alliance and leicester. Couldn't hurt, as long as you're polite.