Just phoned FOS, am I wasting my time?

Little_Mo_70

connormill wrote: »

Just like to post an update, 5 days :eek: after phoning the FOS a lad from santander called and was looking at my account.

They have refunded all of January's fees and already blocked any from coming off for Feb.

This was a massive help to me as now that my pay is sorted with my employer and I don't have £150 of looming fees I can actually pay the bills when they come in and finally sort everything out!


I have to say thought the negative attitude that is getting worse on here does put a lot of folk off. Everyone saying don't bother it doesn't work.
I say, give it a go, all you have to loose is the price of a phone call!


*EDIT*
I'd also like to say that I asked the FOS to make the complaint to Santander on my behalf. so everyone saying don't bother with the FOS until you've contacted your bank need to remember that.

Yes, I could have contacted them myself, but simply phoning the FOS and giving them a few details over the phone was simpler than writing to Santander and proved effective

You asked members of this forum whether they thought you had much of a chance claiming from Santander and you have received numerous responses, freely given and, some, based on personal experience - including mine.

Whilst it is good you have had some satisfaction by going direct to FOS before making an official complaint to the bank
I personally felt your comments about 'negative attitude' rather harsh and very rude considering the replies were based on FOS own advice. See here:
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumer/complaints.htm

dunstonh

I'd also like to say that I asked the FOS to make the complaint to Santander on my behalf. so everyone saying don't bother with the FOS until you've contacted your bank need to remember that.

Yes, I could have contacted them myself, but simply phoning the FOS and giving them a few details over the phone was simpler than writing to Santander and proved effective

It worked for you but its not a good idea. All the FOS do is take down the information as they understand it and forward it on to the firm. Frequently, the information taken down third party is incorrect or incomplete. It is usually better to go direct to the firm as they will ask the questions they need. Your complaint wasnt viewed by an adjudicator and no opinion offered to the bank. They just took details and sent it on. It delayed your complaint as you could have done the same directly with the bank.

I have to say thought the negative attitude that is getting worse on here does put a lot of folk off. Everyone saying don't bother it doesn't work.
I say, give it a go, all you have to loose is the price of a phone call!

You didnt need to go to the FOS though. Santander will usually refund on first error in the year and will consider hardship cases.

I just read the responses here and they are largely correct and not negative. You appear to misunderstood them as you didnt complain to the FOS. You cannot do an end run around the complaints process. You just delayed your complaint being looked at and it was Santander that made the decision. Not the FOS.

cing0

dunstonh is correct, the FOS will pass on incomplete or incorrect complaint details.
However, the bank etc will always respond to a complaint made this way so at least you will get acknowledgement and at this point, you can email your bank with the full complaint.
From experience doing this myself, Santander have a tendency of coughing up voluntarily this way.

dunstonh wrote: »

It worked for you but its not a good idea. All the FOS do is take down the information as they understand it and forward it on to the firm. Frequently, the information taken down third party is incorrect or incomplete.