Just had 22 pounds stolen from me by Barclays - is it worth pursuing this?

Johnny_Chaos

Letter arrived thise morning. I have been charged a 22 pounds "reserve usage fee" (don't you just love their jargon?) for going three pounds twenty into my overdraft.

Put simply, a DD went out on Wednesday, and my salary went in on Thursday, and according to Barclays they will be taking 22 quid for me being three pounds overdrawn for 1 working day.

I phoned their customer services, and I was given the usual stock, scripted answers ("it's in your terms and conditions blah blah blah"). I asked for my call to be escalated to manager, who repeated the same stock, scripted answers. I got fed up and put down the phone.

I just want a bit of advice. Is it worth wasting time and energy (and making myself angrier) by pursuing this one charge by letter, ombudsman, etc? Or shall I just accept that banks have no scruples, accept that I cannot change our powerful and financial establishments, treat it as a lesson and make sure I don't go overdrawn again?

Johnny_Chaos

Sorry. I've posted this is in the wrong forum. It should be in the reclaiming bank charges section. Hopefully one of the mods will move it.

Voyager2002

I'm afraid that it is indeed in their terms and conditions, so the ombudsman route would not help you. A polite letter or telephone call MIGHT persuade them to waive, since it is a one-off incident involving a very small amount of money. Otherwise I suggest you take your business to a bank like Smile that offers a rather higher standard of service together with a fee-free overdraft facility.

sarah7610

I have a barlays additions account and have an overdraft for £350. When I go over this I get a one off charge of £22 but it covers me to go £500 overdrawn without any other charges. It works for me as I regulary go over my overdraft and saves me a fortune, however if you're only overdrawn by a couple if pounds then you lose out.
I would try going into your branch, I think there would be more chance of getting it back that way

Johnny_Chaos

Well, I've sent a polite letter to Barclays. It's only cost me the price of a second-class stamp. I'm not going to get angry about it. I expect a standard 'Sorry, we're not refunding you' letter back, but if the person reading the letter takes pity and refunds the money it'll be a bonus. Worth a shot to nothing.

maxdp

Johnny_Chaos wrote: »

Well, I've sent a polite letter to Barclays. It's only cost me the price of a second-class stamp. I'm not going to get angry about it. I expect a standard 'Sorry, we're not refunding you' letter back, but if the person reading the letter takes pity and refunds the money it'll be a bonus. Worth a shot to nothing.

Hi Johnny Chaos

I know it makes us angry when this happens but can you with gritted teeth and full smile pop into your local branch and talk to their customer services face to face you may be able to appeal to their better nature. May be worth a try

Clark80

I had this exact same thing happen to me! I pointed out that my history was good and that I never go overdrawn and surely if they leave the textbook aside they would see that it was for one day?! Needless to say I was refunded straight away. Some banks are stricter but you probably need to speak to a manager in the lending/borrowing/overdraft department instead of standard customer services.

simon_templar_2

If an item in a shop cost £10 but you only had £7 would you be able to purchase it?

marshallka

simon_templar wrote: »

If an item in a shop cost £10 but you only had £7 would you be able to purchase it?

Depends on how good you are at bartering sometimes...:D.

Clark80

simon_templar wrote: »

If an item in a shop cost £10 but you only had £7 would you be able to purchase it?

I have before

marshallka

Johnny_Chaos wrote: »

Letter arrived thise morning. I have been charged a 22 pounds "reserve usage fee" (don't you just love their jargon?) for going three pounds twenty into my overdraft.

Put simply, a DD went out on Wednesday, and my salary went in on Thursday, and according to Barclays they will be taking 22 quid for me being three pounds overdrawn for 1 working day.

I phoned their customer services, and I was given the usual stock, scripted answers ("it's in your terms and conditions blah blah blah"). I asked for my call to be escalated to manager, who repeated the same stock, scripted answers. I got fed up and put down the phone.

I just want a bit of advice. Is it worth wasting time and energy (and making myself angrier) by pursuing this one charge by letter, ombudsman, etc? Or shall I just accept that banks have no scruples, accept that I cannot change our powerful and financial establishments, treat it as a lesson and make sure I don't go overdrawn again?

I have always (and I mean always) been able to get any charges back from my bank by goodwill gestures. I bank with Co-op and every time things have happened with us (touch wood) we have rang them, been very apologetic and asked that they overlook it and they have. Good luck.