MSE News: Starbucks offering vouchers to customers hit with hefty late charges

molerat

Another customer, Lucy Trimnell, told the paper: "I have to manage my money quite carefully and this large amount coming out has seen me fall into my overdraft, for which I have been charged. A direct debit payment, which comes out of the same account, also bounced and I got charged for that as well.
"I do check my balance quite regularly, but I can't say I look through my statements that closely, so I had no idea that they hadn't been charging me for coffee since March. I contacted my bank but they said companies have six months to claim payment so there's nothing they can do."

She has to manage her money carefully but does not check her statements closely. Says it all, bet she thought she was getting freebies, silly cow

miller

Yolina wrote: »

"I do check my balance quite regularly, but I can't say I look through my statements that closely, so I had no idea that they hadn't been charging me for coffee since March. I contacted my bank but they said companies have six months to claim payment so there's nothing they can do."

I wonder if MSE could do some more research and check if there are any differences in timescales between payment schemes and to get some official quotes. You may have closed an account in the that time (and presumably as per continuous payment authorities the account can be re-opened by the provider and those amounts added).

I am not sure companies should be allowed to aggregate transactions in the way that has been described; they should have been settled in the same way they were authorised (i.e. several smaller amounts, not one large one) IMO.

Yolina

Will this work then I wonder: last week I booked a hotel room for January, I know how much it's going to be and I'll pay when I check out. So obviously it means that instead of earmarking £1k for the upcoming hotel bill in 6 months time, I can just go and spend that money again on something else? I mean it hasn't appeared on my CC yet so surely I won't have to pay, right? :rotfl:

awolo1

I hate starbucks
even more of a reason to hate them!

Pincher

gadgetmind wrote: »

Hmmm, why am I seeing this? Is MSE turning to the dark side now with advertising?

If I did not mention Amex, how can a person who used the offer check whether their £3+ transaction has been delayed?

It's a very precise mechanism, such that a delay of three weeks or more would make me lose the cashback. It's only by seeing the T&C, can a person understand how the system breaks down.

PasturesNew

If you're too poor to be paying in cash.... step OUT of the shop.

Yolina

PasturesNew wrote: »

If you're too poor to be paying in cash.... step OUT of the shop.

Not keeping track is what their problem is rather than form of payment

Herbalus

I read the title "Starbucks' customers hit with hefty late charges" and presumed they were now offering overdrafts....rather odd language when they really mean a delay in taking payments. And it's hardly "hefty" - presumably the customers (of which I am also one) know what they're spending. It's not an additional charge.

brewerdave

molerat wrote: »

She has to manage her money carefully but does not check her statements closely. Says it all, bet she thought she was getting freebies, silly cow

...and if she's that short of money ,what the h**L is she doing buying from Starbucks anyway????:mad:

System

What rubbish.

Retailers have up to 6 months to debit the transactions.

miller wrote: »

Retailers gift cards typically have a 12 month/24 month expiry so that they can have certainty for accounting purposes, so the consumer should have the same certainty.