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

superbgardens

hi all,
I wrote my bank a letter before action letter saying I want my money within 14 days or I'll go to court. their response was a rubbish offer or 125 out the 490 im claiming, unfortunately I didnt do anything else untill I found the letters and my files today. they say in the offer letter that if they do not hear from me within 8 weeks they will assume that I am happy..... Im not happy but that letter was sent on 27th september 2006. can I still just take them to court now even though its months after? or should I send another letter before action note rejecting their offer and setting a new deadline for them?

dazrama3

Hello everyone,

I have a question.

I spoke to my bank to ask if they had received my second letter which stated that I will take this issue up with the courts unless I get a satisfactory response within 14 days.

The lady in customer services said it had arrived. I informed her that, as per my letter, I was going to go ahead with filing my case at the small claims court on Wednesday of next week if I don't hear back. I asked her to make a note of this on the system. In light of todays news and a judge stating there was no legal basis for one individuals claim, I decided that I wanted to make it clear that I am unfazed by it and plan to go ahead with the court process regardless.

She put me on hold for a while whilst she spoke to her manager and came back to me with a whole lot of jargon, mostly incorrect I think.

I need help on this:

She said that the 'standard' letter I received after sending my first letter was written within the FSA guidelines and all banks write the same letter. I told her that the letter I received bore no relation to my individual claim and asked her if anyone had actually read my letter because I had specifically asked for a reply within 14 days - I was expecting something a little more personal. The letter I received said they would reply within 80 days.

I told the customer services lady that I would go still ahead and she said "but this is way all banks do it?" She was basically telling me that there is a specific timetable - I told her that was nonsense because some banks have settled before court - others afterwards. I find it odd that banks are prepared to let customers file claims because it ultimately means that they end up always paying out interest plus the customers court fees?

So....my question is: What the hell was she on about? What FSA timescales are they? ...and surely banks won't hold out to the very end every time?

Edinburghlass_2

Edinburghlass wrote: »

The 8 weeks that the banks mention is the time limit they are given by the FSA to deal with a complaint and this is a standard letter they are sending out along with the leaflet from the FO.

Stick to your timetable of 14 days and send off your next letter at the appropriate time as in the step by step guide in Martin's article below.

Step-by-step Guides: Bank Charges: Reclaim Your Cash | Bank Charges Video Guide | Top New Bank Account Calculator: Charge them interest Template Letters: (right click and save) Ask for charge details |Initial letter | Second letter | Small claims note Get Updates On Important Changes: Free Weekly Money Ti

As above for the FSA regulations that apply to all financial institutions for dealing with a complaint.

superbgardens

hi all,
I wrote my bank a letter before action letter saying I want my money within 14 days or I'll go to court. their response was a rubbish offer or 125 out the 490 im claiming, unfortunately I didnt do anything else untill I found the letters and my files today. they say in the offer letter that if they do not hear from me within 8 weeks they will assume that I am happy..... Im not happy but that letter was sent on 27th september 2006. can I still just take them to court now even though its months after? or should I send another letter before action note rejecting their offer and setting a new deadline for them?

skitsue

It is two days past the the time I should take the ABbey to court, I have not had a reply to the last letter I sent saying they had 14 days to respond before court action, I waited these two days to see what Martin said about the lost court action recentley, should I call them before I fil lthe court action in?

juju1920

Please help! i have done all the required steps to reclaim my bank charges from natwest,i sent letter 3 off 14 days ago to threaten with court etc as they havent made me an offer,i have been in contact with customer relations who have basically said due to high volume....... blah blah blah,that i wont get offer until 8 weeks from 20th april when they received my letter demanding my money back...(my branch actually received it on 18th by recorded delivery) then if i accepted offer it would be two more weeks before in account i told them wasnt accepting that so emailed and sent another recorded delivery letter to say im taking you to court if you dont make me an offer or pay money into account.
14 days was up for them yesterday,just read an email from C.R at natwest saying that they actually had 56 days by FSA guidelines to get in touch with full response of offer etc,which would start from 20th April and due to high volume etc etc would i be more patient and please bear with them,otherwise its my perogative if i want to go to court and do it through own channels!
What do i do?...should i continue with MCOL and stick to my guns? or should i wait a little longer?
also how long is it before they get notice from the courts?
Please Help!

nickmack

juju1920 wrote: »

What do i do?...should i continue with MCOL and stick to my guns? or should i wait a little longer?
also how long is it before they get notice from the courts?

I would do exactly what you said you'd do. The banks have adequate resources to deal with these claims within the timescales set out.

juju1920

Thanks nickmack l will do just that,was just a bit apprehensive now its got to court stage,thanks again hun

Malcmac

Hi There,

I've no response from Smile after my two week deadline, and I am told by them that they (under the banking code) have 8 weeks to deal with any complaint. Can any one tell me if they're taking the micky and should I go on with court proceedings on the back of a nil response?

Sorry if this repeats any other threads, I did look for it first!

Malc

maniac886

Send the second letter, give them another 14 days then file a claim if money is not refunded or they ignore you.