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Made a complaint and got overdraft charges waived!
PennyFox
Posts: 26 Forumite
I have one of Abbey's 6% interest current accounts. Last week, I phoned up to check my balance and found out I was overdrawn by less than £10 (my mistake). Santander is obviously using a call centre abroad as I could barely understand the guy on the phone who advised me if I put money in the next day I would not be charged any fees. In closing, rather condescendingly, he told me I should learn to budget better, then I wouldn't be overdrawn in the first place. This didn't even have anything to do with my budget but with a delayed deposit, but even if it had been my budget, there is no need to lecture your customers in a case like this or any other!
Next day, as advised, went into the branch and paid in enough money to be in credit again.
Yesterday I got a letter advising me that they would charge a £35 instant overdraft request fee and a £25 monthly unauthorised overdraft fee.
I was not going to just accept such outrageous charges and phoned Santander's complaints department straight away, ready to fight it out.
I stated my case, pointing out how disproportionate the fee was, especially considering that this was the first time I was overdrawn and the woman on the phone simply said: "I see your point". She then informed me that standard policy for Santander is to waive up to £60 fees per year (there might be some caveats, I don't know).
So I won't be charged because I picked up the phone and made a complaint - and all thanks to the advice I found here!
Btw I tried to set up a £100 overdraft just to be safe and was told there is no overdraft facility on this account - so their 6% account is only any good if you are NEVER overdrawn as they charge £60 if you go over - probably enough to wipe out any interest earned!
Next day, as advised, went into the branch and paid in enough money to be in credit again.
Yesterday I got a letter advising me that they would charge a £35 instant overdraft request fee and a £25 monthly unauthorised overdraft fee.
I was not going to just accept such outrageous charges and phoned Santander's complaints department straight away, ready to fight it out.
I stated my case, pointing out how disproportionate the fee was, especially considering that this was the first time I was overdrawn and the woman on the phone simply said: "I see your point". She then informed me that standard policy for Santander is to waive up to £60 fees per year (there might be some caveats, I don't know).
So I won't be charged because I picked up the phone and made a complaint - and all thanks to the advice I found here!
Btw I tried to set up a £100 overdraft just to be safe and was told there is no overdraft facility on this account - so their 6% account is only any good if you are NEVER overdrawn as they charge £60 if you go over - probably enough to wipe out any interest earned!
0
Comments
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First paragragh - seems a fair point to me - always check that money comes in first before paying out.0
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Policy allows 1 refund of charge during any 12 month period. Unless its a Santander error and all fees are waived.There are only two things a child will share willingly - communicable diseases and their mother's real age0
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