Bank Goodwill Gesture **UPDATED PAGE 1**

nikki_angel

Hey,

I have been going backwards and forwards trying to open an account and due to a bank's incompetance it has taken quite a lot longer than it should have done. Basically, they refused ID which they shouldn't have done on several occasions and didn't follow their own procedures.

They have now come back to me and said they would like to discuss with me an offer of goodwill and would I get in touch to discuss an amount which I would think is fair.

Now I don't have a clue how I should go about this. What do you think is a fair amount?

Thanks

:A

UPDATE

£50!

jambosans

nikki_angel wrote: »

Now I don't have a clue how I should go about this. What do you think is a fair amount?

I would first ask the bank for the amount they would propose as goodwill (if you request a figure it may be lower than they are willing to offer).

The amount depends on the time it has taken you to resolve, and inconvenience. We're not talking mega bucks, I would have thought around £50, but even that may be a bit much.

I've read many times (on here, so not sure if this is fact) that guidelines are £10 per hour of your time. Perhaps a staff member can verify.

nikki_angel

I didn't think mega bucks either but like you say, didn't want to undersell myself. The whole thing has been a nightmare. Backwards and forward to the post box which is out of my way and about 5 phone calls. Doesn't sound like too much of a problem but it has all been quite inconvenient and frustrating as I was doing my bit and they weren't doing theirs!

thatsean

£10 per hour was quoted by (I think) the OFT for consumers to based costs upon. Either way, a lot of companies are used to that sort of figure. I used to work for Phones4u, and we used to budget for complaints using that figure (not that we got any ;-))

I'd think at 5 calls @ 30 mins, travelling time - 2 hours, faffing around with paperwork unnecessarily 2 hours - so circa £65 would be a reasonable request?

davethorp

I would agree with the others in that a sum in the £50 area seems reasonable though obviously work out if this covers what you've paid in postage and phone calls.

I also echo jambosans' comment that I would try and see what the bank are willing to offer and play from there. No point in saying you'd take £50 if the bank is willing to offer £100

Wutang_2

Start at a million and see how it goes

davethorp

Wutang wrote: »

Start at a million and see how it goes

LOL..... we as far as negotiating goes its probably as good a starting point as any :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::beer:

nikki_angel

Yeah, we can but try ;o)

I wasn't going to ask for any goodwill gesture as I didn't know that the banks did them to be honest. I was just going to see how it went then cancel the account if I wasn't happy with further service. When the manager I was dealing with said that she was going to give me a gesture of goodwill as the situation had gone beyond ridiculous I was hardly going to argue!

Thanks for all your help. I shall see how I get on.

jambosans

nikki_angel wrote: »

When the manager I was dealing with said that she was going to give me a gesture of goodwill as the situation had gone beyond ridiculous I was hardly going to argue!

All the more reason to let the bank make you an offer of goodwill. Something is better than the nothing you previously expected.

nikki_angel

Thanks for your advice everyone

crispy_chris

let us know how you do!