What am I supposed to do? Great News They said sorry

ziknik

thinkpinkworld wrote: »

zz
Do you think I could?
That is a good idea.
Which would you recommend?
Jane

Honestly, I think all banks are as **** as each other. Go to whoever is closest to your house.

In my experience, Barclays are very good at handing out money. And HSBC give a lot of decision making powers to their own branch managers.

thinkpinkworld

Hi Stephen and Zicnic,
I think that is what this site is all about. Banks are not the friendly caring people their adverts try to claim. You really need to look after yourself. I will in future I will be on this site a lot more. I could not have predicted they would do this to me I think they are showing their true colours and I have taken note.
Jane

Clariman

Hi Jane

Please don't take what the bank has done at all personally. Even before the recent credit squeeze many banks were reviewing their lending policies and reducing their exposure to risk. No bank person has looked at your situation personally and decided to reduce your limit. A computer has simply reduced credit limits across a huge swathe of accounts.

If your need is for a short term loan, see if you can get your overdraft extended temporarily or borrow from a family member of friend. Alternatively is it possible to get the £20,000 deposit into your account sooner?

Clariman

thinkpinkworld

hi Clariman,
It does not make it the right for a bank to behave in this way. If that is how they are making decisions then it is wrong. They are not prepared to put it right once it has been pointed out. I had no intention of going over any agreed overdraft/credit limit and could show how I was to pay it off. They should not need anything else. They gave no notice or explanation. So many people do not use credit cards or bank accounts responsibly; I have for 17 years.

When I complained, they responded by threatening to remove my overdraft facility as well. In other words they are treating me like I have behaved in a financially irresponsible way. I do not need to borrow from friends I should be able to rely on my bank to behave in a reasonable way. Once having built up a good relationship that how it should work.

I have to wait a month It is a legal thing it needs to go through lawyers to sell it, I did not know it would take a month but I was still able to manage my affairs within the current agreed arrangements. The bank have changed them without notice.
I like what you are saying and I am working hard not to take it personally and it is hard work work. This forum has helped me with this. I need to fight it not get upset, I just have a lot on my plate at the moment. I have been told to reduce my stress levels for the treatment to work well. What a joke.

Jane

GeorgeUK

Good luck with this Jane (and the treatment)

I can see why you would be upset and agree that the bank, or at least a member of staff, has acted in an appalling manner. I would write a letter to the head office complaining about the way you have been treated and detailing the conditions you were under. Unbelievable that threats like that should be made.

If you are still unsure as to what to do, i would suggest going to https://www.yell.com and searching for "bank" and enter your postcode for the location. Then call the nearest one and talk through your requirements and circumstances with a sales rep. They should be able to advise you of what you would need to take to the branch to open the account and which account would be best for you.

Sending warm fuzzy feelings your way. (((Hugs)))

take care
George

thinkpinkworld

Thanks George,

First Direct is a phone bank you can only contact on the phone. THey do not have branches.
I emailed FD last last night and again this morning. The email was good it was strong but polite and read quite well. It is now down to them.
I need to get on with my day.
I have £10 left in my bank account I will take it out to buy my weekly bus pass.
I have £10 m&s tokens so I will have coffee out.
I need to buy a compress (part of my treatment) I will put that on my credit card.
I need to stop this going round and round my head. I will use an affirmation.
"All the money I need is waiting for me"

My situation is tedious (sp) but not that bad. I will be debt free in 4 weeks or so. I do not live in burma or Palistine.
I wish I could be grateful about this treatment. I am too angry. I have been ill for 10 years it is all I can do to go.
I have not been able to read this site before it is too busy and other things I find I can start to do as well. So something is working.

So more good than bad I think.
THank you for your support George. Since I came on this forum last night (staying up til 1am) I feel so much better. So I'm off to M&S .
Jane

GeorgeUK

Hey Jane

Hope you're feeling a bit better.
The yellow pages thing was just to see what bank was closest to you - any bank as i'm sure most would give you the required overdraft with proof that it was short-term and would be paid off in time.

Try to relax and concentrate on getting better.
Good to see you've got things planned and staying positive.

George

Dylanwing

Sorry to hear about this. My experience of reducing limits is that you can argue as much as you like, but basically 'Computer says no' trumps all logic and rational argument. The overdraft threat was probably a ploy to worry you in an effort to end the call, as many Companies have targets for calls per hour, so long calls are not welcomed. Regarding what they have done, it is poor, but as the Pro Bankers keep reminding us, 'It's all in the T&C's', and in truth, Banks no longer see us as individuals, nor account for special circumstances. If all else fails (And I mean as a last resort), try The Money Shop, or similar for cash - It is expensive, but better than having no money, and it will help you survive the Month. Then when the money arrives, Goodbye to Worst Direct.

thinkpinkworld

Great news.
They have appologised and put me back as I was.

I have removed names and amounts.

WHAT I SAID TO THEM:
Hi
I wish to make a complaint about your unreasonable behaviour towards me. I have had this account for 17 years I have managed my financial affairs in a responsible way. I have never gone over any agreed credit limit or overdraft. I can prove to you exactly how I am going to pay off my credit card and my overdraft. In what way has my behavoiur been anything but exactly what you should want in a customer?

Why was my credit card limit lowered by £500 without notice, without any discussion without any explanation.
Why when I queried this was told I was lucky not to loose my overdraft facility as well? In other words made bancrupt. What have I done?

I am unhappy about further advise I was given. First approach social services. Why when I have XXXXXX pounds coming into my bank account at the end of november why do I need to go to social services?
Also I was told not to move money from my visa card to my current account. My account has £10 left I need to buy a bus pass today If I take money out it will go over drawn.

XXXXXX bla bla bla I said more stuff Then I finished with:-

Is there anything in this email that is unreasonable?
Is there anything I have done that was irresponsible?
Can you really say that your behaviour has been responsible or reasonable?

Jane Lewis

They responded:

Thank you for your message dated 25 October 2007.
I am sorry for the upset caused following your recent discussions with my colleague, AXXXXXXX. I share your disappointment with the lack of assistance offered to you and I am concerned that no consideration was given to our longstanding banking relationship. Please be assured this is not indicative of the usual standard of service to be expected and feedback has been arranged to avoid such a scenario in the future.
As agreed, I have increased your overdraft limit to XXXXX pounds with immediate effect until 26 January 2008, when it will reduce back to XXXXXX pounds. This has been agreed free of the usual 25.00 pounds arrangement fee. A separate letter of confirmation has been issued to you and I would draw your particular attention to your cancellation rights.
Finally, thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I trust my response has clarified our position. However, should you remain dissatisfied and wish to escalate your complaint further, please either contact us on 08 456 100 100, send an electronic message via firstdirect.com, or write to Customer Relations, 40 Wakefield Road, Leeds LS98 1FD.
If we do not hear from you within the next eight weeks we will consider this matter resolved. Complaints we cannot resolve may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service, further details of which can be found by referring to our website, www.firstdirect.com/howtocomplain.
Clearly, I hope you will not find this course of action necessary and thank you, once again, for taking the time and trouble to bring your concerns to our attention.

MXXXXX
Credit Services Customer Relations

I have removed names and amounts.
They named the person responsible which was interesting
What to make of this?
You really are at the mercy of banks etc. you really have to stand up for your self.
I am pleased to be back where I was and feel a lot better.
I have not made £25(as they said) it is £12.50 as that is how much it would cost me to move the money from my VISA card.
They did respond quickly and made sense with what she said.
I am pleased the problem has gone away as I do not have energy or time to sort it.
A big wake up call I think.

Thankyou for everyone who responded everyone was really good.
I got in just before it all went down.

Jane

thinkpinkworld

Hi
I do not believe it.
I now have a probelm with the medical treatment I was having.
The guy is not doing what he is suppossed to be doing he seems to be in trouble.
Is someone/thing having a big joke with me.
Do you see me laughing!!!!!!!
Another email of complaint.
Let us hope for another good out come.

Jane