Amazon Credit Card Charge - Is the law on their side?

offshore7024

I have an Amazon credit card (run by bank of America). My March 2012 payment date fell on 25 March 2012, which was Sunday.

I made the payment out of my bank account on 24 March (Saturday). But, since bank are officially closed on weekends the payment did not reach CC company until Monday, 26 March 2012.

Both my bank and CC company accepts faster payments.

I have been charged £12 for late payments as well as £1 + £1 for interest on my 2 subsequent statements - it was a very small sum.

I was advised by CC company that it is up to me to ensure that my payments arrive on or before the due date regardless of bank holidays and weekends.

Are they right? Is the law on their side?

Please advise and many thanks in advance.

[Deleted User]

They're correct.

InsideInsurance

What part do you think is illegal or even immoral?

They state a date that you must ensure your payment makes it to them by and you failed to do so.

If you are not capable of factoring in weekends etc then set up a direct debit for the minimum payment then it becomes their responsibility to collect on time (you just have to make sure the funds are there for them to collect)

McKneff

If it's your first offence and you speak to them nicely they do have the choice to refund it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

offshore7024

I was just asking for advice/clarification. I did not express any opinion on morality or illegality.

Thank you for the advice, much obliged.

InsideInsurance

offshore7024 wrote: »

I did not express any opinion on morality or illegality

But you asked for others to give an opinion on it, generally means you are thinking it isnt

offshore7024 wrote: »

Are they right? Is the law on their side?

blacksta

Do you have a direct debit in place ?

Rupert_Bear

blacksta wrote: »

Do you have a direct debit in place ?

Do they ever!

Rafter

Despite indications by the OFT that it is hard to see how banks reasonable administration costs for this kind of late payment could be more than £12, it is still worth a letter.

Ask them to provide you with a breakdown of their staff time, systems costs and any overheads to arrive at a £12 cost for an electronic payment being applied 1 working day late. Presumably you received no notification in writing or phone or person and the first you knew of it was a fee on your next statement.

The cost to them appears to be a few drops of ink on a statement and certainly a lot less than £12.

As other suggest, particularly if this is the first time, they are likely to waive the charge rather than risk your complaint escalating.

Good luck

R.

blacksta

I cant seem to understand why many people are afraid of direct debits .

molerat

blacksta wrote: »

I cant seem to understand why many people are afraid of direct debits .

Because they are "not in control" ........ although I successfully cancelled a DD on line after it had gone out and it was recalled ....... so how much "not in control" can they be.