Not claimed back bank fees - success thread

MPH80

To the "holier than thou" crowd, I would just say this, you wouldn't allow yourselves to be ripped off in any other type of buisness be it shop, restaurant or anywhere else so I see banks as being no different.

Absolutely.

But - here's the thing - you don't allow youself to get ripped off elsewhere because you understand the rules. E.g. you understand that a car salesman has added x% which he can take off at his choice - so you know you have negotiation room.

In this case - there's two ways of playing the rules.

The "Holier Than Thou" people are the people who play the rules by saying that they obey the T&Cs and thus don't get ripped off.

The reclaiming group are playing the 'rules' by claiming back charges that are believed to be unlawful.

Both is a form of playing the rules.

Oh, and let us not forget that the ones on this site are but a drop in the ocean, the banks are, as I post still ripping off millions who know no better than (or have no option but) to pay up and shut up.

Only on current accounts/mortgages now - and both of those are under investigation ...

M.

sgx.saint

I have not really read all of this thread, due to its size. But I have skim read as much as possible.

I just thought I would add my opinion into the mix. That's what a forum is for, discussion and sharing of information and opinions

Let me explain a little about my cicrumstances and situation so that I can make my point.

I have been on a self managed debt management plan for about 6 months now. I deal with my creditors daily, I send them letters, update self-made spreadsheets and generally act as pro-actively as possible in managing my debt.

I got into debt (cutting a long story short) by having to care for a terminally ill relative. I made the decision to leave my job and look after this relative as it was mine and my mothers wishes. I did so knowing that my finances in the long term would suffer, but I placed a higher priority on family.

During this time as a carer, I only received a small income from the various state benefits allocated to someone in my position. I had previously worked in the Financial sector as a trainee IFA. So my wages previously were good and I had a manageable amount of credit before my circumstances changed.

Now, 10 months later I have only just started making progress towards claiming back the various charges levied against my various accounts.

I would like to give an example of Halifax and their charges which I incurred:

£10 per telephone call (even if I did not answer)
£35 per letter

Personally I find these charges disproportionately high and completely excessive and in my opinion they do not reflect real world charges.

To those people who say "I would never break the T&C of my bank so I will never be charged" (not a direct quote btw). How do you know what the future holds? One day you maybe in a similar position to me? ... If so, would you still feel the same?

I had a debt of £650 with Halifax, after 3 months of charges the debt stood at £1500. I personally think that is ridiculous and unfair. It did not help my financial situation at the time and increased my debt massively.

I do agree that I broke the T&C which I originally agreed too and I do feel to some degree I should be charged, but a fraction of what I have been.

I really can't understand how people say "We play by the rules an don't get ripped off". Do you think life obeys the banks rules? Of course not, when your least expecting it your life and finances can get turned upside down and as a result you may well be in other peoples shoes, the very people whom you say should face upto the charges and pay.

I for one hope I reclaim all the unfair charges levied against me. I do not want to start an argument or war between to opposing groups. I just wanted to share my opinion on the matter.

oldwiring

sgx.saint Bless you for your decision. I personally and I hope the others that are called holier than thou mean to invlude folk like you in any criticism.

TBH there are some who do not care and expect it to cost them nothing.As to the banks they have changed immensely since I worked for them. Once, bleive it or not there was some heart, little but some; now it's ££££ before the eyes.

May your getting back to normal be speedy.

furndire

I totally agree with anyone who has got their fees back. I have not been charged any, but I sympathise with the people who have. Its the banks who are charging very unfairly. If they had not been so greedy with their charges, a lot of people would not be in the mess they are in. £30 for a failed Direct Debit (for £14.99), when a cheque is in the bank covering much more than the DD. The banks cause a lot of the problems by taking so long to clear cheques etc. ok when it wasn't a computerised society
The only thing I hope is that the people who are getting their money back put it to good use, and with some luck get out back in control.

oldwiring

furndire wrote:

I totally agree with anyone who has got their fees back. I have not been charged any, but I sympathise with the people who have. Its the banks who are charging very unfairly. If they had not been so greedy with their charges, a lot of people would not be in the mess they are in. £30 for a failed Direct Debit (for £14.99), when a cheque is in the bank covering much more than the DD. The banks cause a lot of the problems by taking so long to clear cheques etc. ok when it wasn't a computerised society
The only thing I hope is that the people who are getting their money back put it to good use, and with some luck get out back in control.

That last sentence I wholly agree with

The_Boss

oldwiring wrote:

That last sentence I wholly agree with

You're kidding, right? They will just find someone else to blame or some other technicality.

oldwiring

The_Boss wrote:

You're kidding, right? They will just find someone else to blame or some other technicality.

Someone has to be less cynical you know:laugh:

Wyndham

I think the best form of consumer revenge is to play the system in such a way that the bank don't get chance to take charges in the first place. If that means following terms and conditions and not spending money I don't have, then that's the way it will be. I'd rather not pay them at all than have to claim them back.

Yes, I know, I'm a goody two shoes. But I've also NEVER paid bank charges. A certain amount of luck and circumstance, but far more knowing how much I had to spend, keeping an eye on my account and doing without unless the money were there.

And if people want to hate me for it, then let them. I honestly don't care.

furndire

I've never paid any either.
After my daughter got stung earlier this year, I can quite understand how easy it is to get into trouble. I think a lot of the problem is that people who have money troubles are too embarrassed to ask for help. Its not until you see on sites like this that they realise that they aren't the only ones - It seems that a lot of people are now having the confidence to do something about their problems.
If the banks had been operating legally within their own terms, I would have thought that by now they would have had the courage of their convictions to defend at least one of the cases in court.
I feel that a lot of the time when things go wrong the individual man in the street is wary of taking on the big boys - after all they have the money to defend.

M_Thomson

Just bumping this thread. Want to keep it going strong.