The NatWest Challenge…

Bisoy

Telfer wrote:

For instance, 18th Nov 05 (this being a Friday) I paid a cash payment over the counter, the statement due date being 19th Nov 05 (Saturday). Lo and behold, December’s statement showed a ‘late payment fee’ of £20. I’ve even found one which the stamped receipt shows payment two days before the due date!

I am afraid that's how banks and lenders works. They need to receive your payment few days before the due date that is why we advised in here to pay by DD so that you won't be caught by such nasty charges.

I'll have to agree with The Boss don't ignore the small print.

mrsmortenharket

Telfer wrote:

I’m only chasing what the NatWest call a ‘late payment fee’ on a credit card.

As I’ve stated the total amount is certainly not worth singing about and the odd £20 here and there did not cause me concern. In fact it was only when I came across this web site that I woke up and did a check on this banks antics, that I realised they were going beyond the pale.

For instance, 18th Nov 05 (this being a Friday) I paid a cash payment over the counter, the statement due date being 19th Nov 05 (Saturday). Lo and behold, December’s statement showed a ‘late payment fee’ of £20. I’ve even found one which the stamped receipt shows payment two days before the due date!

On doing a credit check I find that they have logged me in Aug 05 under the heading of a general code to indicate delinquency.

That’s the next one I’ll be looking into with an angle via the DPA.

Yes the payment would have been late. Cash over the counter still needs to clear through the systems. You would have had the statement for nearly 3 weeks at least so would have been aware when the payment was due. You have yourself to blame.

Late payment fees are a bug bear of mine. I actually agree with them to an extent. Otherwise there would be plenty of people taking the p155 & not paying.

Lisa

sdj25

As you are a NatWest customer, if you look at the back of your statement - you will see a section of "Making your payment". It then goes on to tell you of how long you need to pay each payment.
With regards to the bank it reads:

Pay in at any bank allowing three working days (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays) before the payment date on your statement

And on the terms & conditions, it tells you to refer to the back of your statment for payment instructions.

Can't say they didn't tell you!

Bisoy

If you will pay over the counter it needs at least five days for them to receive before the due date to be on time. Trust me as I used to be Natwest customer and had similar experienced years back.;)

Telfer_2

Bisoy wrote:

If you will pay over the counter it needs at least five days for them to receive before the due date to be on time. Trust me as I used to be Natwest customer and had similar experienced years back.;)

Thanks for the feedback poster, especially your ‘Bisoy’.

Alas, one must accept that when the rubber stamp is embossed on the payment slip provided with ones statement, it’s an endorsement that the presented sum of money has been received. If this date is before or on their stated due date, that’s it, no problem.

Their request for ‘X’ number of days for a cash transaction is not my problem, weekends or not, the fact is I’ve paid them a sum of money. How long it takes their system to process this is up to them.

Be honest, 3 days in this age of computerisation or are we to believe that ‘NatWest’ are still using the quill pen? :rolleyes:

Whilst one may have accepted a situation such as this a few years back that does not mean to say we have to accept it today. It’s a ‘penalty’ nothing more nothing less and if others are prepared to accept a situation such as this in 2006 I’m not.

This being the case, I shall use my best endeavours to enjoy a paid days holiday from work wasting their time and money defending a case presented by one of their delinquent customers. If you know what I mean? :rotfl:

happyformonths

Interesting approach Telfer, and, I have to say, good for you.

Keep us informed as to how you get on.

HFM

MORPH3US

One the one hand, I HATE Natwest with a passion so hope you kick their asses.

On the other hand, everyone above is spot on. Its a well known fact that you have to allow 3 to 5 days so we should stick to that. If you don't like it, get a credit card that doesn't have it and good luck!!!

I must admit I have done this before now, paid it in 1 or 2 days before and its not cleared, sometimes even 4 days before but over a weekend and its not cleared in time. A simple call to Natwest got it refunded "as a gesture of goodwill" and I learnt my lesson.

Maybe that should be a key phrase on MSE, LEARN YOUR LESSON. Getting charged or interest applied or going overdrawn or speeding or chopping your finger off, its all the same... its not pleasant, but if we learn our lessons and don't do it again then whats the problem?!??!

M

Telfer_2

MORPH3US wrote:

Maybe that should be a key phrase on MSE, LEARN YOUR LESSON. Getting charged or interest applied or going overdrawn or speeding or chopping your finger off, its all the same... its not pleasant, but if we learn our lessons and don't do it again then whats the problem?!??!

M

Your opinion is respected, although the way I look at it is this.

I’m prepared to have a go at giving them a good kicking by taking them through the system, the system is there to be used and they use it. With this being the case I will use it, what can they do to me for my efforts, nothing.

No financial claims against me for defending their position in court, maybe give notice to close my account, big deal, I’d do it next week if it was not for the smell of blood. Give me another black mark on my ‘credit worthiness. I don’t think so.

The fact that they have already marked me down to indicate delinquency is possibly true but within a different context.

Astaroth

They can cancel all the products they have given you and ask for immediate repayment of monies owed. Admittidaly Natwest has not done this to date to customers but other big banks have stated they will and have done this.

Of cause no bank has actually bothered to defend a case to date - cost of a barrister/ reputational damage well out weighs the cost of the claims and so you wont get your days holiday.

Long term result of cause is that everyones interest rates ultimately go up and you still have to give your 5 working days for payments to clear as stated on your statements

Verbatim

Good luck to you. Hope you get somewhere. Keep us informed please.