Can a bankers draft be cancelled?

Solomon_Broad

A relative has paid for some windows to be fitted via a bankers draft. Long story short, the windows are in but heavily damaged. The company has been contacted but is refusing to help.

No part of the payment was put on a credit card.

A] Is there some method by which my relatives can withhold payment until the work is completed?
B] If not, what can they do?

peterod1

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I do not think it is possible to cancel a bankers draft. You can have a caution issued against the draft if you believe it to be stolen but if the draft is paid in to to an account which is the same as the payee then I think you will have little action of recourse. Best try taking action through trading standards or governing body (if one) failing that small claims court.

pinkdalek

Bankers drafts can only be cancelled if they are lost/stolen and you generally require proof from the receiver that they have not received the merchandise.

Too late to say now but payment should not have been given until the buyer was satisfied with the work carried out.

If the company are not willing to do anything then you may have to contact trading standards for advice.

JuicyJesus

A draft cannot be stopped unless surrendered back to the drawing bank by the drawer. Not even if lost or stolen usually. If you drop a draft in the street you have lost the value of that draft. In that sense and that sense alone it is as good (or bad) as cash.

In any event, there is little that your relative can do. Paying by cheque, bankers draft or cash offers you no protection at all. Indeed paying by standard personal cheque may have been a tad better in this case (as the cheque could be stopped, albeit for a fee), but not by much.

Lesson to learn: always use a credit card.