Am I losing my Marbles

martincricket66

I was offered a fixed interest rate of 3.9% by Marbles on promotional cheques. When I discussed the offer with their call centre they confirmed the purchase was fixed for the life of the balance balance. At the time I thought great deal and I don't need to start switching lenders for favourable rates. I have now received a new statement with the balance reverting to their less than tempting 16.6%. As you can imagine I'm hopping mad, I went back to their call centre and they were less than helpful. Was I duped in the first place? Do I have any redress? Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone have info relating to the rogue offer I was quoted?

johnllew

I've had several offers from Marbles over the past few months and have recently taken advantage of 0% for 6 months but have never been offered a promotional rate for the life of the balance.

Did the original T&Cs with the cheques mention LOB? If not, did you record the name of the person you spoke to at the call centre?

deemy2004

I was offered a fixed interest rate of 3.9% by Marbles on promotional cheques. When I discussed the offer with their call centre they confirmed the purchase was fixed for the life of the balance balance. At the time I thought great deal and I don't need to start switching lenders for favourable rates. I have now received a new statement with the balance reverting to their less than tempting 16.6%. As you can imagine I'm hopping mad, I went back to their call centre and they were less than helpful. Was I duped in the first place? Do I have any redress? Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone have info relating to the rogue offer I was quoted?    

I presume you did not tape them ?

I always tape calls made to or from financial institutions..

Without any referance, or even a name, all you can do is send a letter to their complaints department and see what happens.

Walletwatch

I presume you did not tape them ?

I always tape calls made to or from financial institutions..

Without any referance, or even a name, all you can do is send a letter to their complaints department and see what happens.

That's interesting, Deemy, what kind of contraption do you use for this - maybe I could do with one, given my increased correspondence with these call center guys since the time I've been introduced to MSE.

Sorry for posting out of context.

johnllew

I always tape calls made to or from financial institutions.

I've often thought of doing this but isn't there a legal requirement to notify them that you're recording the call? I'd also be interested in knowing what equipment you use.

Lopo

Off topic again...but interesting!

Is it not illegal taping telephone conversations unless of course you indicate and state clearly to whoever is on the other end that they are being recorded...?

Out of curiosity...if there are any people who work in the finance world out there on the phone end....how long do the companies you work for retain the recorded messages (often stated additionally used for training purposes!) when customers call in and do they serve any after purpose for disputes or queries that the same customer may later have !?

deemy2004

That's interesting, Deemy, what kind of contraption do you use for this - maybe I could do with one, given my increased correspondence with these call center guys since the time I've been introduced to MSE.

Sorry for posting out of context.

I have an XDA II (its a mobile), and use the soundexplorer software installed on it, just click of the sound button on the side does it for clear and crisp mp3 recordings. I then give them an appropriate name and transfer over to my computer for later burning onto dvdr's  - so have a full history of what was said when and to whom. If I want to record off a landline then I put the landline onto speaker phone and record as normal on the xdaII

It 'may' not stand up in court, but if I'm talkign then I'm sure I can record whatever I like regardless of whether the other party is aware of it. anyway their intro pitches usually states that the calls are recorded for training purposes so applies both ways.

I'd guess that they replay the recordings so as to ensure they have their facts right if any transaction is in dispute, especially important where insurance is concerned.

Maybe I'm losing my marbles by recording too much ;D

Lopo

Cant assume that its okay Deemy!  I do believe you have to declare you are recording also - it does not simply work both ways if they state they are recording. (I could be wrong).  

In this case the logical argument against I guess would be that your not actually giving the other party the choice to consent/disagree with you recording the conversation be it to a financial institution or any individual....

(not being picky - just always wondered the same and legality of it all!)

I've actually witnessed a face to face redundancy meeting between employer and employee be terminated because the employer would not allow the employee to tape the conversation they were about to have in the meeting regarding his redundancy terms.  

The employer would not simply consent to it taking place, and the meeting was terminated, minutes made and that was that....  The employee was made redundant later anyway regardless.   Bear in mind(!) - this was a face to face meeting with witnesses on both sides - no recording devices allowed full stop!! !!  

deemy2004

No you don't !

If your recording your OWN voice which obviously your aware of it being recorded then it is legal !!! Whether its worth as much in a court of law if BOTH parties were aware of the recording it a different matter !

Your friend should have just recorded his employer instead of telling him before hand

Its basic commonsense.

Else the law is an !!!!!! and should be ignored !  ;D

Now if your recording a conversation between two other people that you are not party to then that probably is illegal

Anyway if people standing infornt of you can't see the micrphone stuck in their face then thats their problem



And no thats not me ! ;D

Lopo

 Lol...!  :)

Figure its use and purpose really is down to what you intend to use the recording for I guess....

Lets now talk about copyright law!

Walletwatch

First of all, yes, financial institutions do replay recorded conversations to try and resolve conflicts - I have got many a refund due to this, bless these guys, and bless the technology they use.

Second, I agree that recording such a conversation, so far as it is for my own reference, should not be a problem to the guy at the other end, as the chances of me making this public at a later stage are very slim - it is just for my own reference and archival, and I am kind of resolved that I am going to start doing this as well. Actually, I see this as an extension to my writing my daily diary, where I record all key occurences, including financial transactions / conversations with these institutions for the day.

Finally, Deemy, have had an XDA2 for a year now, so am not new to the technology (unless you're referring to the NKOTB XDA 2S) Can you help me navigate thro' to the exact executable that enables me record conversations?