Have the banks got 8 weeks to reply?!!!

smoggy62

I have requested my Bank Charges, and my Bank have stated they are looking into it and will reply within 4 weeks. On the last day of the fourth week, they have written to me and stated they are still investigating and will respond within 4 weeks. Is this normal, and if not, where do i go from here. Does the amount make any difference (Just under 5k). Also I have already started using a parachute account.

microweasel

I wrote to Abbey on 23rd March 07 requesting a refund of bank charges and received a reply within 14 days saying they were looking into my complaint. On 25th April 07 I received another letter apologising for the delay and thanking me for my continued patience. The explanation given is "our research is taking longer than expected because we want to make sure a full investigation is done" this is followed by " If we are unable to complete our investigation beforehand, we will write to you in four weeks time to let you know how we are getting on". It took me just over an hour to calculate charges to be claimed - not sure why its taking them so long - can my bank get away with this sort of stalling tactic?

smoggy62

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

This letter is purely designed to confuse and delay you. Treat it as an acknowledgement. If no reply or a "no" reply arrives in the post on day 14, send the next letter immediately. It is your claim, not theirs. You set the timescales and they do as you say or else.

Is that reasonable, as they have said they need more time. Im just thinking, if it went further, could the bank say i was being unreasonable for not allowing them more time.

thanks

smoggy62

Anyone out there who has got there money back. how long did it take from start to finnish, can i expect any other stalling tactics along the way. As you can see I am a novice in this.

hurst75

Hello All!

So far I've opened the parachute account, worked out my bank charges for the last 6 yrs + interest (approx £3800). I have sent the first template letter and I have since received a response from Natwest saying they are investigating the claim and will respond as soon as possible. That letter was dated the 24th April 07 and it is now 4th May 07.

My question is how long do I wait? They could keep me waiting until kingdom come! What is considered to be a reasonable time?

In my original letter dated 17th Apr 07, my final sentence was "I look forward to a full response to this letter within 14 days." Do I now presume that I have not received a full response?

Help!

Knackered

Where did you get your template letter from? The one on this site says 40 (forty) days on it, not 14.

hurst75

Just downloaded it again from this site to check - the first letter says 14 days.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/redir/c129d2ac

Beate

Knackered, keep up, hurst has got his charges worked out already! He is talking about the first letter claiming charges back so yes it is 14 days. Send the second letter NOW, it is overdue.

Miss_SaveaPenny_2

Hi Sorry if I'm repeating this question but I'm new to this forum/threads/chatroom malarkey and I couldn't find an answer to this point. My mum has written to barclays using the template to reclaim her charges, they have responded to say ok got your letter but it will take us four weeks to investigate your claim and a further four weeks to get back to you!!!! Not sure what to do now do we wait, they haven't said no they're just slowing down the process. Thanks to anyone who can help

Beate

Stick to your own timescale. Send another letter 14 days after the first, and 14 days after that file a claim. Their complaints procedure is of no interest to you as you are not going down that route!