MSE News: Credit firms promise leniency following postal strike

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"The major credit card providers say they will be show mercy to borrowers who make late payments because the postal strike has delayed their bill's arrival..."

Read the full story:
Credit firms promise leniency following postal strike

willstewart

Sure they will.........

Moggles_2

Most credit card companies provide adequate online services now, yet it's surprising how many forum users seem to rely on postal statements.

That said, does anybody still settle credit card bills by posting a cheque?

Martinslovechild

Moggles wrote: »

That said, does anybody still settle credit card bills by posting a cheque?

Yes, nailed to a brick and signed in my own blood

missy_manic

willstewart wrote: »

Sure they will.........

Well in my case they were actually telling the truth for once! For the first time ever I was late with two payments - Citibank and Halifax. Whilst I always pay online I've always waited for my statement to arrive in the post to jolt me into remembering to pay (dangerous, I know). Of course the postal strike meant said statements never arrived and I remembered to pay two days before the 'payment due' date. However, two days wasn't long enough for the money to clear (even when sent online) so I rang each bank and explained the situation and immediately set up direct debits so this can never happen again. To my surprise both of them said they would put a note on my account and that I wouldn't be charged a late payment fee, wouldn't lose my preferential rate, and therefore wouldn't have my credit rating effected :j.

God knows why I never set up direct debit before... I'm just so relieved everything turned out ok for once.

Missy x

Moggles_2

missy_manic wrote: »

Well in my case they were actually telling the truth for once! For the first time ever I was late with two payments - Citibank and Halifax. Whilst I always pay online I've always waited for my statement to arrive in the post to jolt me into remembering to pay (dangerous, I know). Of course the postal strike meant said statements never arrived and I remembered to pay two days before the 'payment due' date. However, two days wasn't long enough for the money to clear (even when sent online) so I rang each bank and explained the situation and immediately set up direct debits so this can never happen again. To my surprise both of them said they would put a note on my account and that I wouldn't be charged a late payment fee, wouldn't lose my preferential rate and therefore wouldn't have my credit rating affected. God knows why I never set up direct debit before. I'm just so relieved everything turned out ok for once.

Thanks for sharing this with us. Perhaps, it'll jog a few more memories :T
Welcome to MSE, btw

ICan'tStandIt

A credit card is a monthly financial commitment, just like mortgage or rent and a postal strike is a pretty lame excuse for not making a payment.

If you don't know when your payment is due, then you shouldn't have a credit card in the first place.

edda

Please note that the link in the 2nd paragraph of the article is wrong.

It's supposed to point to the Reclaim Credit Charges Guide, but if you click on it, you end up reading about the vehicle discount scheme on the directgov website! :huh:

sammylou100

Unfortunately Ikano are not showing mercy on this one.

Didn't get my statement, not missed a payment in years, I am silly and rely upon getting the statements so I know how much / when to pay, pay it online and then write in my diary when I've made a payment. Been a bit of a mad month with my sister being in hospital (not an excuse but a fact), realised I'd not had a bill & checked my diary yesterday...missed payment, called and paid in full and asked if this could perhaps not be put down as a missed payment - BIG FAT NO.

Shame, I was doing so well building my credit rating!

nandrews

Surely the onus is on the credit company to present me the invoice in a timely manner? It's not for me to run around to find a way to get the information from them!
If I send them a cheque in the post but they don't get it, I don't blame them for the postal strike or my choosing to pay by post. So why do they blame me if there is a strike and I don't get their invoice intime!

Nigel

speedbird1973

Check your contract T&C.

The money is due even if you don't receive the statement. I've had loads of credit cards over the years. Not one statement has failed to reach me.