What should I do with this strange Ulster Bank offer? Advice appreciated!

nickyg_2

Hello again everyone!

I have been through several rounds of correspondence, some of it quite torturous, with regards an attempt at reclaiming my charges.

In a nutshell, I followed the template provided, which was most helpful, and did get me a result of sorts

They eventually decided I met the hardship threshold, and offered me a goodwill £35, which they claim would not affect any future decision I may make as regards consulting the financial ombudsman.

They say this represents charges applied in the last 6 months. They also offer me the option of declining this and leaving the complaint as outstanding.

For clarity, my charges plus interest totaled just over £1100.

May I ask for some advice on what, if any, ulterior motives may be behind this maneuver and what you think my best course of action would be?

My initial thoughts are to simply reject the £35 on principle and proceed forthwith to the Ombudsman, following a further correspondence to my bank notifying them of this intention, what do you think?

Thank you in advance for any advice, and also to moneysavingexpert.com for the initial guide and templates!

Nicky

Premier_2

nickyg wrote: »

Hello again everyone!

I have been through several rounds of correspondence, some of it quite torturous, with regards an attempt at reclaiming my charges.

In a nutshell, I followed the template provided, which was most helpful, and did get me a result of sorts

They eventually decided I met the hardship threshold, and offered me a goodwill £35, which they claim would not affect any future decision I may make as regards consulting the financial ombudsman.

They say this represents charges applied in the last 6 months. They also offer me the option of declining this and leaving the complaint as outstanding.

For clarity, my charges plus interest totaled just over £1100.

May I ask for some advice on what, if any, ulterior motives may be behind this maneuver and what you think my best course of action would be?

My initial thoughts are to simply reject the £35 on principle and proceed forthwith to the Ombudsman, following a further correspondence to my bank notifying them of this intention, what do you think?

Thank you in advance for any advice, and also to moneysavingexpert.com for the initial guide and templates!

Nicky

If you are as hard up as you claim, then why wouldn't you take the £35 to at least put food on the table tonight, especially when it is being offered as a goodwill gesture and will not prejudice your right to escalate the matter to the FOS.

However, stand by your principles if you wish

nickyg_2

Thank you for your reply!

It's not really that I will flat out refuse their offer on a rigid principle. The angle I was coming from with my query was, essentially, to put out feelers to the community here in case this was some kind maneuvering by the bank that may, in some unforeseen way to me now, come back to bite me down the line with regards getting my charges (or a substantial portion of them) refunded.

In essence, I'm asking if anyone smells a rat!?

The fact that they have given me a form to sign and return with an option to a) accept or b) refuse and register as unresolved has set my alarm bells ringing in a small way... if it is truly an unconditional goodwill gesture then just credit it to my account directly, no?

Does anybody think that if I return the form with option b chosen (keeping complaint open) there may be a possibility of Ulster Bank coming back to me with a meaningful refund of the 6 years charges I have outlined to them, or is my correspondence with them now likely at an and and my next port of call the financial ombudsman?

Again, Thank you in advance!

Nicky

knoxvillain

I would be inclined to reject it and proceed as planned. Like you say, I'd be suspicious it comes back to bite you in the future.