Advice on advertising another company in protest

arronc

Hello I'm unsure if this is the correct forum so I apologise if it is not and please feel free to move it.

To cut a long story short I am unhappy by the way I have been treated by a certain bank and as such have made numerous complaints. They have come to nothing and the bank are refusing to do anything. As such I have stated that I will hand out leaflets at the branch as a result of there poor customer service and the fact I have been made out to be a liar. So far I have parked my car outside the branch on two late afternoons and covered it with laminated posters (and balloons) about how they have been voted for the second year running the worst bank for customer service. This has been hugely successful and drawn A LOT of people to car to read the stories and posters. I now wish to step it up and hand out a number of leaflets and I wanted to know can I advertise another banks mortgage rate which is better then the bank im protesting about. I feel this will bother the bank considerably as I know they primarily deal with mortgages.

Now I know a number of you may think I'm silly but I am out of pocket by about £3000 - £4000 pounds and I am currently going through the Fincial Obbudsman but I know this can take time.

So can anybody tell me am I within my right to inform people of better rates else where?

Thanks

mo786uk

dont see why not

if you were advertising the other banks rate on a commercial basis then you would probably have to follow various laws but if you were just making a comment that a better rate is available elsewhere then it is not a commercial basis as far as i can see.

obviously be careful you dont get yourself arrested for breaching the peace or causing a nuisance.

arcon5

Be factual and you shouldn't have any problems with the leaflets. At the bottom including something like 'rates correct as of XXX'.

What have they done to you?

What did they say when they saw you outside?

bobajob_1966

I do think you are silly, there is a fine line between making a point and getting in a lot of trouble for harassment/ trespass/ a public order offence. Pursue your complaint through the proper channels.

arronc

mo786uk wrote: »

dont see why not

if you were advertising the other banks rate on a commercial basis then you would probably have to follow various laws but if you were just making a comment that a better rate is available elsewhere then it is not a commercial basis as far as i can see.

obviously be careful you dont get yourself arrested for breaching the peace or causing a nuisance.

Thanks and do you think I can do this by given out leaflets. i.e this banks rate is 6.9 and Halifax is 5.9.

I've checked with the council today and they have no by-laws preventing me from giving out leaflets and would only fine me if I caused littering which I obviously won't. I'm aware of laws in relation to protesting and breach of peace due to my job so I know that won't be an issues. I just want to cause as much attention as I can.

Thanks again

arronc

arcon5 wrote: »

Be factual and you shouldn't have any problems with the leaflets. At the bottom including something like 'rates correct as of XXX'.

What have they done to you?

What did they say when they saw you outside?

Answered my question then thanks.

arronc

arronc wrote: »

Answered my question then thanks.

Oh it started a long time and to cut a long story short, it's to do with over draft fee's, failure to deal with my complaint (ignored), then accepting liability offering me a sum then the next day lying to me saying they never offered me any sum. It's very complicated.

bobajob_1966

Have you checked with the other bank that they are happy for you to 'advertise' their product? I doubt they will be happy for you to do this.

arcon5

I don't think people will boycott the bank simply because of your leaflets tbh. Nor do I think it will be an effective way of dealing with your issues. Taking a mortgage out is a complicated process and each bank and each product has different benefits suitable for different types of people at different prices. You may also find these lower interest deals have higher setup fees and shorter terms.

These kind of protests are fantastic in certain situations, if your in a shop refusing to honour a repair for example, but in your situation I don't think it is a great idea. Infact I think your spending an awful lot of time and effort on the wrong thing. Since your case has gone to the financial ombusmen personally I would leave step back and allow them to make a decision for now, then act accordingly afterwards.

arcon5

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

Have you checked with the other bank that they are happy for you to 'advertise' their product? I doubt they will be happy for you to do this.

Free positive publicity -- they might snap ops fingers off to get a spot. Assuming the leaflets are more of an advert than a crusade.

Even if they don't like it, that's tough! These practices happen all the time, all you need to do is walk around a supermarket or watch TV to see it in action.

arcon5

arronc wrote: »

Oh it started a long time and to cut a long story short, it's to do with over draft fee's, failure to deal with my complaint (ignored), then accepting liability offering me a sum then the next day lying to me saying they never offered me any sum. It's very complicated.

Maybe a summary? Also maybe name and shame?

If just to satisfy my curiosity?