More than a rip off

missile

My wife applied for an M&S More Than Card in October 2006, with 0% interest on spending for 12 months.

On April statement "estimated interest amount £0.00"
On May statement £55.92 interest was charged
On June statement £94.50 interest was charged

Phoned up to complain and she got told it is our mistake!

I feel a complaint to FSA coming on.

KTF

Have you got a copy of the original t&cs to prove that it was 0% on 12 months?

exel1966

You obviously didn't settle the balance by the end of the introductory 0% period. Looks to be that you had a card with a 6 month offer.

You would have signed and returned a copy of the credit agreement agreeing to the t&C's which would have stated (as required) the length of the introductory period. That is your proof or theirs if the mistake is yours. To complain 6 months after you accepted is highly unlikely to gain a sympathetic response from them.

Have you kept a copy of the credit agreement ?

missile

I do have a copy of the agreement, which clearly states 0% for 12 months.

You obviously did not see their 0% interest on all shopping for a year advertising campain?

exel1966

I've no idea whether I saw it or not, but if you have the proof then it CANNOT be disputed !!
Seems highly unlikely to me that they would say it's your fault if you've explained that you have a copy of the agreement stating 12 months. They'd only have to check the duplicate you returned.
Rather than complain to the FSA, surely it would be better to speak to an account manager rather than a c/s rep about this. Quite simply, they don't (appear to) have a case if it's as straightforward as you make out.

missile

If you doubt my word, PM me your e mail address and I shall be happy to send you a copy of the agreement.

I am sure there are a few other money spinners who applied for an &More card last year? Perhaps someone else could confirm it was 0% on purchases for a year.

FYI: We have spoken (at length) to &More, they told us they do not keep paper copies of signed agreements - because of data protection regulations. I have sent them a letter, enclosing a copy of the agreement and hopefully they will accept this and refund us.

PS: Their current deal is 0% until Jan 2008.

exel1966

I don't doubt you have the proof. Like I said before they have no case to dispute your claim, but sometimes there are important facts that people neglect to include in their messages which may have a significant bearing.

i.e your 1st post didn't explain the relevant facts fully and each post since has revealed a little more, though I fail to see why you are asking others if it was 12 months, when you have the proof it was 12 months !

Though they may not keep a paper copy of your application/credit agreement they will have a copy within their systems as it is a legally binding contract between you and them.

I do hope you successfully obtain a refund of the interest charged and a little something extra in compensation for the inconvenience they have caused.

missile

I believe I put all the relevant information in my first post.
Subsequent posts have been to inform you.

I was not asking others if it was 12 months. I am asking others to confirm this for your benefit, as you seemed to be doubting my word.

Again for your benefit only, &More told us that in accordance with data protection "after details are entered into the computer, paper copies of applications are destroyed"

I am confident my wife will receive a refund in due course, as this appears to be an error and thank you for your responses.

YorkshireBoy

The M&S &more card offer changed 'around' October 2006 (if you check back on this board you'll see the exact date). From memory, the deal changed from 0% on BT's for 6 months and nothing on purchases to 12 months 0% on purchases and 3.9% on BT's for the life of the balance.

I'm confident you'll be refunded once you've sent them your credit agreement.

missile

Many thanks YorkshireBoy. I do believe we will be refunded, but my wife is extremely upset.

I had signed up for the tart alert, but it doesn't help in this case.

missile

Seems I am not the only one to be ripped off by &More see http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=482105