£1.08 Overdrawn - First Time Offense in 10 Years - Barclays Refuses to Waive £22 Fee

d123

JustKeepSwimming wrote: »

Never heard of that rule. But then I've only had 1 time of being overdrawn & the automatic charges that were applied were refunded. I appreciate it may be more of a risk though if you are already trying to manage with only JSA coming in - doesn't leave much wriggle room, does it?

It's actually been mentioned on this site a few times (perhaps I am relying on anecdotal evidence too much), it isn't something I have any personal experience of.

Adams1

Thanks for all the replies, but all time wasted I'm afraid.

I went into the bank, and asked directly to speak to the manager, I was surprised they went and got him without question. The manger, was probably one of the kindest men I have ever met in my entire life, but this wouldn't change what happened after.

I explained to him that she is on JSA, and in no was is it possible for her to cover that fee until she finds herself a job (by the way things are looking, not anytime soon that's for sure) and that she can barely get on herself with £100 a week. I also pointed out that this was the first time she had ever gone overdrawn and if he could waive it out of good will.

From his polite and calm attitude, I thought it was sorted, but I was wrong. He went onto say "I understand, and I am sorry for the convenience caused... BUT... What you are asking me to do may have been possible a couple of years ago, but I'm afraid that today, Barclays bank managers do not have any authority or power over waiving any bank charges or fees." He said he was truly sorry, and if I would like he could get in contact with the relevant department to make sure this doesn't happen again.

I kept insisted and explaining that she is on JSA, and that she just simply can't pay for it right now, and how they where expecting her to pay? I asked if he has no power, I'm sure someone does, if so, who do I get in contact with? He just repeated the same line saying that because its strict Barclay's policy, that there is no other relevant persons to get in touch with.

He also went onto say "Did she use an ATM card? If so, then she could have checked her balance before." I told him that at the time the current balance was just over £10 and pointed out if that would be considered as a banking error but he said no, and that there where other means to check the account i.e via telephone or the Internet.

I walked out in frustration to be honest, I was polite, not rude in any way, but frustrated. I cut him short and didn't wait for him to finish, there was no point, he understood so thanked me and parted.

Out of general principle, I convinced my mother to switch to another bank, she, herself, feels disgusted that after explaining to them her financial situation, their only suggestion (in so many words) was to give up eating food for a couple of days.

Yes, maybe "I" have the power to pay £22, but I just simply refuse, again, out of general principle. It's not like she actually took out £22 and that's the money they want back, it's just fake digitized information that Barclays create so no physical loss has been made.

Any other suggestions on the situation would be appreciated. We have the weekend to think about it and we'll make our way down first thing Monday morning to open up another account unless someone convinces us otherwise.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Incyder

There is no point in opening another account, all banks will charge for such fee's, some more than Barclays.

Calm down and pay it off on Monday. Treat this as a lesson you can learn from. It may seem unfair but thats life. I had a parking ticket put on my car in 1985, I've never had another as I learnt from it.

I would also suggest your mum keeps about £30 floating in her account that she never uses.
That way any minor slip ups like this will not cost her a fine in the future.

Adams1

Incyder wrote: »

There is no point in opening another account, all banks will charge for such fee's, some more than Barclays.

Calm down and pay it off on Monday. Treat this as a lesson you can learn from. It may seem unfair but thats life. I had a parking ticket put on my car in 1985, I've never had another as I learnt from it.

I would also suggest your mum keeps about £30 floating in her account that she never uses.
That way any minor slip ups like this will not cost her a fine in the future.

I am calm, and I won't pay it on Monday. Bending over is not the answer, its an option you may be a slave to, but not me, sorry. You are right, I will treat this as a lesson I learn from, and that is never to work with Barclays again. I'm not quite sure you read the part where I stated she is on JSA, so not quite sure exsactly how you would expect her to keep £30 "floating" around. Also, many banks do not charge you overdrawn fees, not to this degree anyway. HSBC has a £10 limit as standard, which you can spill over into as many times as you need as long as its paid back within X ammount of days.

Please do not give advice about budgeting and banking if it is completly worthless.

rb10

Simply ask Barclays to set up an arranged overdraft on the account of, say, £100.

That way, if she goes overdrawn (within the arranged limit), then she'll only be charged pence.

Adams1 wrote: »

HSBC has a £10 limit as standard, which you can spill over into as many times as you need as long as its paid back within X ammount of days.

Plenty of banks have this. Halifax and LTSB are two examples.

However, breaking the T&Cs of an account is always going to cause problems. This is why it's best to look how you can mitigate the risk of things like this happening in the future, e.g. by having a small arranged overdraft.

Adams1 wrote: »

I'm not quite sure you read the part where I stated she is on JSA, so not quite sure exsactly how you would expect her to keep £30 "floating" around.

How about saving £2 per week for 15 weeks? That surely should be achievable.

Adams1 wrote: »

Please do not give advice about budgeting and banking if it is completly worthless.

My personal opinion is that the post you were referring to was perfectly reasonable, and only trying to help you and your mother. The poster was giving a decent answer to your problem. Please don't take it out on him/her, just because you have convinced yourself that Barclays are 'evil', when in reality all that they are doing is following the agreement that your mother had with them.

zppp

Adams1 wrote: »

I'm not quite sure you read the part where I stated she is on JSA, so not quite sure exsactly how you would expect her to keep £30 "floating" around.

I don't think it is difficult to leave at least £5 in an account, even if you are on JSA. After all we are talking about a £1.08 excess here.

Lokolo

Adams1 wrote: »

I am calm, and I won't pay it on Monday. Bending over is not the answer, its an option you may be a slave to, but not me, sorry. You are right, I will treat this as a lesson I learn from, and that is never to work with Barclays again. I'm not quite sure you read the part where I stated she is on JSA, so not quite sure exsactly how you would expect her to keep £30 "floating" around. Also, many banks do not charge you overdrawn fees, not to this degree anyway. HSBC has a £10 limit as standard, which you can spill over into as many times as you need as long as its paid back within X ammount of days.

Please do not give advice about budgeting and banking if it is completly worthless.

They are in the T&Cs. I don't see why you are blaming Barclays here. They aren't the reason an incorrect amount was displayed on the machine. Your mother went over the account balance, and got charged to which she had agreed to in the T&Cs.

Saying "I will never work with Barclays ever again" just because your mum made a mistake and they won't let it off is rediculous!

Adams1

Lokolo wrote: »

Saying "I will never work with Barclays ever again" just because your mum made a mistake and they won't let it off is rediculous!

Are you suggestion that there are gains for me staying with Barclays? If so, what? If not, then don't make it out as if its something special. If this is how they treat you for going overdrawn, even by £1 then believe me, Barclays is the last place I would trust to keep my money. Talk about friendly banking. THIS is why I will not bank with them, and that's a perfectly good excuse.

"Oh hello, you have £30,000, nice to have you with us, want a cup of tea?" and when things are looking down "Oh, £1 overdrawn I see? Well, there's nothing we can do for you sir, your going to have to not eat for a few days."

How could you tell me to trust a bank like that with my money? I've been banking with them for 10 years, never would have thought this is treatment you would get when in need for help and are struggling financially.

Jesus, I can't even believe you would side with them for £1. The Law is more forgiving then Barclays. Over a lousy pound and they treat you like that. This is a lesson well learnt. Better finding out now then later, it could have been much worse.

worried_jim

write to your local paper, not as a story but as an item to be published on the letters page, I would also write to jane moore and kelvin mckenzie @ the sun, they publish storys like this on their columns and will love a reason to bash the banks again over what is quite clearly an unfair situation. good luck.

Adams1

worried_jim wrote: »

write to your local paper, not as a story but as an item to be published on the letters page, I would also write to jane moore and kelvin mckenzie @ the sun, they publish storys like this on their columns and will love a reason to bash the banks again over what is quite clearly an unfair situation. good luck.

Lol. Not quite sure if your mocking but nether the less I won't take it that far. Seriously, I've gotten over it, they can shuv their fees up where the moons don't shine.