Virgins window of opportunity to mug you!

SillyOldReg

I'm livid!

I pay my Virgin CC on the last day possible each month thereby maximising their 'generosity'.

I always use the Faster Payment Service - thus depositing the payment directly (I thought!) into the CC account.

Alas it was a Friday and I transferred the payment at 21:30. What's the problem with that Reggie Boy? I hear you ask.

Well here's the rub ladies and gentlemen. Those happy smiley people purporting to offer you first class customer service 24/7 365 close for business at 16:00 and do not resume until Monday at 09:00. So when they get in and flick the switch my deposit lands in their CC account.

Yes and.... Well my friends wouldn't you know it - they then charge you interest plus a 'late payment fee', and enter the fact that the payment was late on your credit rating score!

Now when my wife calls to try and resolve the matter she is met with a dismissive response from a bloke hiding behind a telephone (who purports to be a 'customer first' friendly type of Manager), who retorts "go and get your evidence but there's no point calling me back 'cos I'm going into a meeting" Class act hey!!

So the point of my rant is - The only reference to their hours of business in respect of online or telephone transfers can be found on the rear of their 'ANNUAL' paper statements in 'the small print' - bottom left hand side. There are no references to this fact on their website or in any of their initial documentation. This is not disputed by their Customer Services Dept! You only get informed in small print annually because online accounts don't produce statements as a matter of course!

SO BE WARNED THEY ONLY OPERATE MON - FRI 09:00 - 16:00 FORGET ALL THEIR FLANNEL ABOUT PUTTING YOU FIRST. I WAS LATER INFORMED THAT MBNA/VIRGIN ARE NOT CLEARING BANKS AND THEREFORE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO CATER FOR TRANSFERS OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS!

So why offer the facility? To make money of course - Silly Old Reg.

AFTER 16:00 ON A FRIDAY THEIR POLICY IS 'IT'S A OPEN WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO FLEECE OUR CUSTOMERS TIME'.

They then abuse the same customers should they dare to call and attempt to resolve things.

I think all finance companies stink but Virgin give off the worst odour!

Any comments are welcome - but not if you work for the robbers!

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:;)

cockaleekee

You always taking a risk paying at the last minute, and on this occasion that risk failed. It is recommended that you make payment at least three working days before it is due.

For future reference, MBNA state the relevant information here.

YorkshireBoy

SillyOldReg wrote: »

There are no references to this fact on their website

Yes there are. Log into your account and click "Other ways to pay" and you'll see...

Faster Payments via telephone/internet banking:



Please contact your bank to take advantage of this service. You will need:

• (1) Your credit card number
• (2) Our bank account number: 70328725
• (3) Our sort code: 08-61-30

Providing there are no restrictions on your credit card account, Faster Payments made between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, will be completed and available for you to use within 2 hours of us receiving cleared funds from your bank. Outside of these hours, or on a weekend/bank holiday, your payment will be completed and available for you to use by 10am on the next business day.

I pay my Virgin CC on the last day possible each month thereby maximising their 'generosity'.

For future reference, the only way to achieve this objective is to pay by DD.

SillyOldReg

So I suppose one should always read the small print!

Doh SillyOldReg will I ever learn!

Still my post might help others not to fall for their malpractices.

bengal-stripe

MBNA (Virgin) states in the section "Making a Payment":

If you make a Faster Payment between 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday, it will be available for you to use within 2 hours of us receiving cleared funds from your bank. Outside of thes hours, or on a weekend / bank holiday, your Faster Payment will be available for you to use by 10.00am on the next business day.

Cut they have put it any clearer?





;

SillyOldReg

I seem to have hit a nerve or two??

cockaleekee

SillyOldReg wrote: »

I seem to have hit a nerve or two??

You seem to be reading a different thread to the rest of us??

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

SillyOldReg wrote: »

Now when my wife calls to try and resolve the matter she is met with a dismissive response from a bloke hiding behind a telephone (who purports to be a 'customer first' friendly type of Manager), who retorts "go and get your evidence but there's no point calling me back 'cos I'm going into a meeting" Class act hey!!

I'm actually surprised that the "Manager" was even willing to say anything to your wife about your account.

SillyOldReg wrote: »

Still my post might help others not to fall for their malpractices.

I still haven't seen any evidence of malpractice.

SillyOldReg wrote: »

I seem to have hit a nerve or two??

In the same way that Virgin have hit your nerve?

The regulars here - of which I do not class myself as one - have heard all this before. Their usual advice is to go and grovel a little. Apologise for the late payment. Ask to set up a Direct Debit. Tell them it will never happen again. Many people report having their late-payment penalties refunded.

YorkshireBoy

SillyOldReg wrote: »

The only reference to their hours of business in respect of online or telephone transfers can be found on the rear of their 'ANNUAL' paper statements in 'the small print' - bottom left hand side.

Take a look at last month's statement...page 4 of 4 (RHS half way down under 'making a payment').

If you don't have a paper copy you can find an 'official' one in your online area.

noh

SillyOldReg wrote: »

You only get informed in small print annually because online accounts don't produce statements as a matter of course!

Online accounts offer statements every month you use the card.
Log in select statements choose the month from the dropdown then click "view official statement"
You then see a pdf of your statement which is exactly the same as a paper statement. On page 4 It has the words:-


[FONT=C?EX1M20_T?EX0000][FONT=C?EX1M20_T?EX0000]Faster Payments via Telephone/Internet Banking:[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=C?EX1M20_T?EX0000]


[/FONT]
If you make a Faster Payment between 8.00am and
4.00pm Monday to Friday, it will be available for
you to use within 2 hours of us receiving cleared
funds from your bank. Outside of these hours, or on
a weekend/bank holiday, your Faster Payment will
be available for you to use by 10.00am on the next
business day.

stephane_2

SillyOldReg wrote: »

I'm livid!

I pay my Virgin CC on the last day possible each month thereby maximising their 'generosity'.

I always use the Faster Payment Service - thus depositing the payment directly (I thought!) into the CC account.

Alas it was a Friday and I transferred the payment at 21:30. What's the problem with that Reggie Boy? I hear you ask.

Well here's the rub ladies and gentlemen. Those happy smiley people purporting to offer you first class customer service 24/7 365 close for business at 16:00 and do not resume until Monday at 09:00. So when they get in and flick the switch my deposit lands in their CC account.

Yes and.... Well my friends wouldn't you know it - they then charge you interest plus a 'late payment fee', and enter the fact that the payment was late on your credit rating score!

Now when my wife calls to try and resolve the matter she is met with a dismissive response from a bloke hiding behind a telephone (who purports to be a 'customer first' friendly type of Manager), who retorts "go and get your evidence but there's no point calling me back 'cos I'm going into a meeting" Class act hey!!

So the point of my rant is - The only reference to their hours of business in respect of online or telephone transfers can be found on the rear of their 'ANNUAL' paper statements in 'the small print' - bottom left hand side. There are no references to this fact on their website or in any of their initial documentation. This is not disputed by their Customer Services Dept! You only get informed in small print annually because online accounts don't produce statements as a matter of course!

SO BE WARNED THEY ONLY OPERATE MON - FRI 09:00 - 16:00 FORGET ALL THEIR FLANNEL ABOUT PUTTING YOU FIRST. I WAS LATER INFORMED THAT MBNA/VIRGIN ARE NOT CLEARING BANKS AND THEREFORE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO CATER FOR TRANSFERS OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS!

So why offer the facility? To make money of course - Silly Old Reg.

AFTER 16:00 ON A FRIDAY THEIR POLICY IS 'IT'S A OPEN WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO FLEECE OUR CUSTOMERS TIME'.

They then abuse the same customers should they dare to call and attempt to resolve things.

I think all finance companies stink but Virgin give off the worst odour!

Any comments are welcome - but not if you work for the robbers!

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:;)

Here we go again.....another one complaining without getting all the facts.....