HSBC charges and financial hardship.

tracey3596

Okay, got letter from HSBC saying they agree I'm in financial hardship BUT refusing point-blank to consider any refund of over £2000 charges in the last three years.

So, next step: Ombudsman ...... BUT I have a question:
Do I remember reading somewhere in these forums that a complaint using financial hardship won't be considered if you have a Sky TV contract?

I have a basic Sky TV package, about £20/month.
I got this for two reasons: first, my neighbour's CB radio interferes with "normal" TV reception & despite complaining through BBC etc. ,
he removes the ariel after he's investigated then promptly puts it back up again!
Secondly - for entertainment for my 3-year-old.

So, does anyone know if I'll still have a valid argument?
Has anyone else succeeded in claiming who has a Sky TV contract?

Any advice welcomed.

Lou67

tracey3596 wrote: »

Okay, got letter from HSBC saying they agree I'm in financial hardship BUT refusing point-blank to consider any refund of over £2000 charges in the last three years.

So, next step: Ombudsman ...... BUT I have a question:
Do I remember reading somewhere in these forums that a complaint using financial hardship won't be considered if you have a Sky TV contract?

I have a basic Sky TV package, about £20/month.
I got this for two reasons: first, my neighbour's CB radio interferes with "normal" TV reception & despite complaining through BBC etc. ,
he removes the ariel after he's investigated then promptly puts it back up again!
Secondly - for entertainment for my 3-year-old.

So, does anyone know if I'll still have a valid argument?
Has anyone else succeeded in claiming who has a Sky TV contract?

Any advice welcomed.

I don't know an answer to your question: sorry Tracey, but I have to say that is a weird reason to not help you with your dispute. Why? It sounds odd. Are they saying that if you can afford Sky, then you can't need their help or something wacky? If that is the case, then why stop there? Don't help people who smoke, who drink alcohol, who have a mobile phone contract, who have a car, etc etc. Sorry I am not much help hun.

If they *have* overcharged though, then if you spent £100 a month on chocolate; SURELY they should give it back and whether you are hard-up or not, they still owe it don't they?

Good luck xxx

[Deleted User]

tracey3596 wrote: »

Do I remember reading somewhere in these forums that a complaint using financial hardship won't be considered if you have a Sky TV contract?

I have a basic Sky TV package, about £20/month.
I got this for two reasons: first, my neighbour's CB radio interferes with "normal" TV reception
secondly entertainment for my three year old

Sky TV would certainly come into the "luxury" category, especially since an expired Sky viewing card (costing nothing) would provide over 240 free channels that your neighbours couldn't cause interference to and that would also keep your husband entertained;).

It's certainly wise not to list subscription TV as one of your outgoings when claiming "hardship", but it won't in itself preclude the Bank from offering a refund of charges. There have to be other issues you haven't told us about.

tracey3596

Thanks for that; and nope, no other issues.

So Sky ... maybe classed as a "luxury" as Moneyineptitude says.
However, to get a Sky dish installed without having funds to purchase outright you need to subscribe. Then Sky fit the dish free.

Anyways, now onto the next step and write to the Ombudsman.

pooch

The ombudsman cannot force a bank to refund charges that were correctly applied.

The ombudsman can only request, if it feels it appropriate, that the bank re-looks at the customer's claim under financial hardship.
There is no right to a refund, only an obligation that the bank deals quickly and sympathetically with things that go wrong and act sympathetically and positively when considering a customer’s financial difficulties.

pooch

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Sky TV would certainly come into the "luxury" category, especially since an expired Sky viewing card (costing nothing) would provide over 240 free channels that your neighbours couldn't cause interference to and that would also keep your husband entertained;).

It's certainly wise not to list subscription TV as one of your outgoings when claiming "hardship", but it won't in itself preclude the Bank from offering a refund of charges. There have to be other issues you haven't told us about.

I think you probably meant to say it may not wise to claim financial hardship when one of your outgoings is a luxury item such as subscription TV

A complainant should always be truthful when making a complaint, especially when disclosing income and expenditure to support a claim for financial hardship.
The bank would soon spot errors by referring to the complainants own bank account.

pooch

tracey3596 wrote: »

Okay, got letter from HSBC saying they agree I'm in financial hardship BUT refusing point-blank to consider any refund of over £2000 charges in the last three years.

So, next step: Ombudsman ...... BUT I have a question:
Do I remember reading somewhere in these forums that a complaint using financial hardship won't be considered if you have a Sky TV contract?

I have a basic Sky TV package, about £20/month.
I got this for two reasons: first, my neighbour's CB radio interferes with "normal" TV reception & despite complaining through BBC etc. ,
he removes the ariel after he's investigated then promptly puts it back up again!
Secondly - for entertainment for my 3-year-old.

So, does anyone know if I'll still have a valid argument?
Has anyone else succeeded in claiming who has a Sky TV contract?

Any advice welcomed.

It doesn't really matter about anyone else.
Claims under financial hardship are considered on an individual basis, and you appear to have already convinced your bank you are in financial hardship. :T

You therefore can expect the bank to act sympathetically and positively when considering your financial difficulties.
(but that doesn't necessarily mean you will get any money given to you)

tracey3596

I understand that I will not necessarilyget a refund of any monies; however, nothing ventured.....

[Deleted User]

pooch wrote: »

I think you probably meant to say it may not wise to claim financial hardship when one of your outgoings is a luxury item such as subscription TV

Well, I wasn't suggesting that Tracy should tell any lies!
If she's out of contract with Sky, she can give a month's notice and still continue to receive 240+ free to air channels.
Might be an idea still to do that, it'll be another step away from "hardship".

meer53

Were you in financial hardship 3 years ago ? If you were, they'll wonder why you've suddenly now decided to try to claim charges back. If you didn't contact them for help when the charges were being applied, they'll be unlikely to refund.