Battling Alliance and Leicester - HELP!!

noh

Fact.

The following stands. You are wrong I am afraid. The bank charges campaigns pressure resulted in easier to understand terms and conditions.

"If you were conversant with the issues you would realise that part of the argument was that T&C's were not intelligible and not in plain English.

The campaign has helped to redress that problem with banks now making them easier to understand."

I don't disagree with you.

But as far as I am aware the A+L terms and conditions over the last couple of years have been plain and easily understood.
They certainly were when I applied for an account in 2007 the £500 funding requirement was plain then.

The OP applied for the account in Feb 2009 when the T+Cs were no different to now.

The arguement that the T+Cs were unclear for this account doesn't stand.

The arguement that they weren't told about the minimum funding requirement during the application processs doesn't stand.

The arguement that they weren't notified of the fees to be applied doesn't stand as they were notified on line.

The OP simply failed to read the T+Cs or check the account online.

They have no grounds for reclaiming the fees unless a new legal arguement is put forward.

orc_2

noh wrote: »

I don't disagree with you.

But as far as I am aware the A+L terms and conditions over the last couple of years have been plain and easily understood.
They certainly were when I applied for an account in 2007 the £500 funding requirement was plain then.

The OP applied for the account in Feb 2009 when the T+Cs were no different to now.

The arguement that the T+Cs were unclear for this account doesn't stand.

The arguement that they weren't told about the minimum funding requirement during the application processs doesn't stand.

The arguement that they weren't notified of the fees to be applied doesn't stand as they were notified on line.

The OP simply failed to read the T+Cs or check the account online.

They have no grounds for reclaiming the fees unless a new legal arguement is put forward.

Listen, I don't think we are far apart on this.

I was making a point to Premier, not you. He was the one with the jibe at the OP about terms and conditions. He was making a general point about terms and I made a general reply. When I talk historical, I go back to the beginings of the campaign in 2005. It is only recently that terms have become much clearer.

I don't disagree with your point re terms for that account in 2007/ 09, but I strongly object to Premier making snide jibes and comments to people who come on here looking for help.

New grounds for claims are being developed, as you are aware.

orc_2

I think Kate that perhaps you should steer away from any complaint under reclaim of charges, as that will confuse the issue, within the bank, given the Supreme Court decision.

Follow the banks complaint process, but submit a new complaint. Yes you opened an account, but you never used it, you changed your mind and had no use for it.

Did you ever write them a letter cancelling the account?;) If so, simply send a copy of that along with the complaint.

Focus on that aspect and then refer to the fact that charges were applied after you had decided you no longer needed the account, charges after you had cancelled it.

You can prove that you had another account and that you never changed your income to A/L from Abbey and never transferred DDs.

That might prove more succesful.

The_Last_Chance

Hi Kate,

I've read your post with interest and having looked through the details i've seen this happen quite a few times in the past. (I worked for them quite recently you see)

Now looking at your scenario, and from what i know of procedures and loopholes - the following is possible with the account.

Now one way to reduce the charges is if you are in reciept of any government issued benefits such as CSA, DLA, JSA etc or on a low wage. When you contact the bank simply quote that you are struggling to repay the charges what they can do is complete a charge escalation pro forma and have it submitted. Now on this call make sure that you don't quote the charges as unfair, unlawful or wrong. (this causes a generic letter to be posted out stating under the terms and conditions of your account these charges are correct)

At this point the advisor may offer a Gesture of Goodwill refund (£25.00 maximum) kindly refuse this and explain that you cannot afford the charges.

The proforma should then be submitted through to Group Customer Relations - noting financial difficulty. What will then happen is they will send a letter through the post confirming the complaint with a reference number. KEEP HOLD OF THIS.

They may also send through what is called an Income & Expenditure form which is managed by their Credit Control Unit - complete this and return it promptly.

Next you will need to contact with you Complaint reference number - explain you would like to be put through to group customer relations, your call will then be passed through (most likely cold as advisors can't be bothered waiting) give your reference number to the representative that answers. Calmly explain the situation and that you cannot afford the charges and were not aware of them.

The advisor will then be able to refund the majority of charges. Group Customer Relations are given a higher level of authority re charges and with this issue will most likely refund approx 50% - 100% of charges.

DO NOT ACCEPT THE GESTURE OF GOODWILL FOR £25.00 IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS REFUNDS AND THIS IS THE FIRST COMPLAINT THEY TEND TO JUST REFUND YOU TO BUY YOU OFF.


ALTERNATIVELY.....

If you never ever funded the account at any point it was never really active, it was never established and simply a dormant opening account. If you had HAD an overdraft facility set up on the account you would have needed to have funded the account at least once before having access to an overdraft facility. NOW technically it could be argued it was never opened and established so therefore it was never in line with the terms and conditions of the account and devoid of charging. Had the account been activated then by all means it would fall foul of the terms and conditions.

That one is a long shot though


ALSO

make sure they downgrade your account to a basic Current account and you are not listed as a premier Current account as this will stop you having the £5.00 a month underfunding charges to the account whilst waiting for a resolution

AND

Ask to speak to the Credit Control Unit re the charges, you tend to be put through and in some occassions depending who you are put through to they will remove some charges and work out a repayment plan.



ANOTHER ROUTE

would be to request a manager callback, accept it and wait for the 48 hours waiting time. most callbacks can result in charges being refunded as from my knowledge 20% of the managers in the call centres prefer to just refund the charges than deal with the complaint. It belittles the advisor who has followed banking policy - but at least it benefits yourself.

:T :T:T GOOD LUCK hope this helps :T:T:T

:A:A:A

orc_2

Kate
the above sounds like sensible advice.