Sainsbury's Credit Card

annemarielewis

I had a balance of £2000 on a Sainsbury's credit card April 06 and made a late payment on it. So I set up a standing order for £100 a month from May to be paid from my account on the 2nd of every month. Because I had stopped using the card and I knew the standing order was being paid I didn't notice that since August last year I have had every month been hit with an extra £24 a month for what they say is a late payment. I have spoken to customer services who have said that I should not have set a fixed monthly date and therefore the payments were always being made late. I don't understand. Can anyone explain? Is this legal?

YorkshireBoy

You must make a payment (greater than, or equal to the minimum shown on your statement) to your account between the statement date and the payment due date each month.

Statement dates and payment due dates can, and do, fluctuate from month to month due to the number of days in the month.

It looks like you set up your standing order date too near one or the other of the dates, and hence paid early (perhaps two in one statement period?) followed by several successive months where you paid late.

Two points to note:

• Standing orders are bad news with credit cards - as you have found out. It's far better to set up a minimum payment direct debit, and make any additional payments by other means.
  
• You should check your statements thoroughly when they arrive!

One thing puzzles me though...you say you have been hit with one £24 charge? I thought the default charges were now £12...is it possible you've had 2 x £12 charges? If so, what was the other one for?

annemarielewis wrote:

Is this legal?

tom188 will be along shortly to answer that one. :rotfl:

annemarielewis

Hi thanks for your reply. Yes you are correct on each month's statement I have been charged 2 x £12. ie in January I paid £100 on the 31st January. But was charged a late fee of £12 on the 3rd January and on the same statement another £12 on the 31st January !!