Switch Process - Direct Debit failed

w00519772

I recently switched my current account to another provider. The process involved switching four direct debits and the switch process ended on 29/02/17.

Three of the direct debit switches were successful and one of the direct debit switches failed. The switch that failed was to my broadband provider. My broadband provider disconnected my telephone line; broadband; tv and mobile. I had to spend a few hours calling them and paying the bill. I was then reconnected within 24 hours. They fined me £15.

The new bank have offered me £60 in full and final settlement (by email). I believe this is reasonable, however I wanted to get other peoples thoughts.

alewin

My thought is that you have posted In the wrong forum.

Vortigern

w00519772 wrote: »

I recently switched my current account to another provider. The process involved switching four direct debits and the switch process ended on 29/02/17

...one of the direct debit switches failed.

The new bank have offered me £60 in full and final settlement (by email). I believe this is reasonable, however I wanted to get other peoples thoughts.

£60 seems rather generous. You could use it to buy a new calendar.

2010

£60 seems not bad but hardly generous when the same bank would instantly charge you the same for going 1p into the red.

bowlhead99

2010 wrote: »

£60 seems not bad but hardly generous

I don't think banks need to be 'generous' ; they need to be fair.

I think £60 is probably reasonable for the hassle of getting a reconnection from the service provider. If it was a business connection and led to a few hours of downtime you might want to claim more for consequential loss, but not for a normal residential service. And phone companies do not simply cut people off unannounced so presumably there was a warning and chance to remedy the payment issue (not that it was the OP's fault at all that payment hadn't been made on time, but the hassle of losing service could have likely been avoided).

So I think £60 seems OK for the time chasing on the phone etc unless there are particular reasons why it caused great and unavoidable distress.

when the same bank would instantly charge you the same for going 1p into the red.

I'm not aware of any banks with an instant £60 fee for being 1p overdrawn. I get that you're exaggerating to make the point but exaggerations are not useful when trying to establish what a "fair" number might be.

kidmugsy

When we switched recently the bank we left swore it had paid the month's DDs. But it hadn't. Cue outraged letters from our utility companies.

I'm tempted to open a 123 account, move the utility bills there, and just leave that alone indefinitely.

chockydavid1983

I've just opened a 123 lite to get the 5% reg saver and moved all bills qualifying for cash back. Can always just have account DD requirements met using Tesco Internet and Instant Access Saver.

kidmugsy

chockydavid1983 wrote: »

I've just opened a 123 lite to get the 5% reg saver and moved all bills qualifying for cash back. Can always just have account DD requirements met using Tesco Internet and Instant Access Saver.

Thanks for the tip about the "Lite" version.

w00519772

Co-Op have recently written to me with a "Letter of complaint" template for BT. They state in the letter that they notified BT by ADDACS3 to change my Direct Debit details in early February (over two months before BT cut me off).

BT inform me that it was my responsibility to inform them that a switch was taking place. I had no problems with any of my other Direct Debits.

Are BT acting reasonably charging me £15 here? I believe it should be refunded?

YorkshireBoy

Think of the £15 as being refunded within the £60, ie Co-op gave you £45 compo and £15 to give BT, and move on!

As to whether the £15 is "reasonable" for a missed payment/returned DD, well it's in line with what most creditors charge these days for such breaches.

If you do still feel aggrieved, then why not wait for BT's final response to your formal complaint and take it to the relevant ombudsman?...presumably you have made a formal complaint? If not why not?

Pincher

I usually move the standing orders and direct debits myself, unless the T&C demands the switch has to include DDs.

Don't trust anybody these days. Unfortunately, I'm right.

The simplest thing can go astray. A Direct Debit was supposed to be for the full amount, but of course it ended up as the minimum amount. Obviously, I checked, and paid the full amount manually, but it had already incurred interest.