Am I taking this too personally?

GreyPilgrim

I managed to mess up a credit card payment last month.

I made July's payment a few days too early, so it actually fell into June's statement period (in effect, I made two payments in June, and didn't make a July payment). I've only noticed the problem, and see that First Direct has applied a "£12 late payment charge" to my account

Totally understand how the system would see it as a missed payment, and I totally accept that it was my 'fault', but to be fair my only 'fault' is that I was too eager to settle my bill! It's just a mix up. I'm not defaulting on payments, and I'm not trying to do anything underhand.

I thought that a call to First Direct would sort out the problem, but I had to speak to three different people and pretty much beg them to refund the charge. Initially the request was declined, but eventually a supervisor was consulted and refunded the money.

What I object to is the patronising tone. "We do not refund bank charges but on this occasion we will make an exception. This is strictly a one-off and any future charges...." etc etc etc.

In effect, I got a late payment charge for paying something too soon?

Never have problems with banks. Maybe I'm just dwelling on this one because it's the first problem I've had with them...

onlypaddy

Yes, you're taking it too personally. You didnt make a payment in your July statement and were lucky to have the charges refunded

barak

GreyPilgrim wrote: »

I managed to mess up a credit card payment last month.....

It's easy to avoid this kind of problem by setting up a Direct Debit.

GreyPilgrim

Yeah, direct debits are in place now for all future payments!

I think I'm just shocked at the banks attitude, you know? It was a genuine mistake, made with the best intentions...I'm so eager NOT to incur bank charges that I was maybe a little bit overzealous in paying things as soon as my salary hit my bank account.

A look at my account history would have shown then all previous payments on time, and the last payment going in just before the July period started.

I think in this instance it would have been excessive and harsh not to refund the charges. I don't really count myself 'lucky', because I don't think (given the circumstances) the charge was justified.

Repeat3Times

I'm with you Grey - but given the impersonal and automatic charge that you incurred, I wouldn't take it too personally. The patronising tone, on the other hand, would wind me up similarly - maybe they think that they're doing you a favour by allowing you to be a customer?

Laurenbelle

It really does seem unfair doesn't it. In situations like this there is probably certain scripting that needs to be read just to cover the bank. It is likely that the person whom you think is being patronising is just as uncomfortable making you aware of this due to the nature of the fee but has to.

exel1966

GreyPilgrim wrote: »

Yeah, direct debits are in place now for all future payments!

I think I'm just shocked at the banks attitude, you know? It was a genuine mistake, made with the best intentions...I'm so eager NOT to incur bank charges that I was maybe a little bit overzealous in paying things as soon as my salary hit my bank account.

A look at my account history would have shown then all previous payments on time, and the last payment going in just before the July period started.

I think in this instance it would have been excessive and harsh not to refund the charges. I don't really count myself 'lucky', because I don't think (given the circumstances) the charge was justified.

Account triggers don't have thoughts/compassion/personalities, they just do what's programmed into them so you're taking it far too personally.

You accept the mistake was yours, like everything in life that mistake has to be paid for as in the terms you've agreed with them, but fortunatley they have relented and refunded the charge as you're a good customer. They wouldn't do it a second time, but as you now have a DD in place it can't happen again.

Accidents happen, nobody intends them to happen, they're genuine mistakes. Move on !

gt94sss2

GreyPilgrim wrote: »

I think in this instance it would have been excessive and harsh not to refund the charges. I don't really count myself 'lucky', because I don't think (given the circumstances) the charge was justified.

Just consider yourself you are with First Direct - many other companies will no longer give refunds in such circumstances...

Regards
Sunil

getmore4less

How do you think these people in the banks feel having to deal with people that think they are smart and don't need to set up direct debits because they are mart enough to manage payment themselves then screw up and expect to be let of the automatic well documented charges;)

Chill and don't skrew up again

MatyMoo

Just a word of caution about setting up a DD or SO to pay your credit card so you don't incur a late payment fee - I did this and they changed the flippin payment date :mad:

I now have a SO for the 1st of every month for a minimal amount that I know will always cover my minimum payment required so that they get a payment each month and do online banking for the rest. I try to set it up when the statement arrives but with a forward date to the match the required date.

If I forget I at least know they have had the one payment.

YorkshireBoy

MatyMoo wrote: »

Just a word of caution about setting up a DD or SO to pay your credit card so you don't incur a late payment fee - I did this and they changed the flippin payment date :mad:

That's "just a word of caution" about SOs, and has nothing to do with DDs...which will still be collected on time whatever they do with the statement/payment due date.