Looking forward - my diary!

hypno06

Good luck with the flat hunting, just make sure that your outgoings don't increase hugely by having somewhere bigger/in a better area etc. The rent may be the same but the cost of running it, and council tax etc may each be a little higher, meaning you have to find a bit extra.

marc.faulkner

Aaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad: :mad:

That feels better

I didn't manage to get to Barclays today, as our workload meant I didn't get chance to take a full lunch break - I just grabbed a few mins here and there. Anyway, I checked my online banking ad it shows the SO for my rent has been returned unpaid and they've charged me a £35 fee for the pleasure - despite the fact that this is their mistake, the SO should not be going out until Friday (04/01).

I decided to call telephone banking and get this sorted out. No offence to the gentleman who I spoke to, but he couldn't understand a bl**dy word I was saying... I eventually managed to get through to him what I was calling about (after 12 minutes) and he confirmed to me that the SO should have been 04/01 yet had been taken today - yet he said there was nothing he could do about it. He told me to write to Barclays and raise my concerns! This is all well and good, and I intend to do so, however this doesn't really help my immediate needs - my rent has not been paid and I have been charged £35 - all because the bank made a mistake!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Anyway, I'm going to draft a letter now, and will no doubt have to lose an hours pay tomorrow visiting the branch so that I can get some sort of resolution before the LL comes banging on my door for his money.

Bl**dy, bl**dy banks...

MushyPeas

Awww poor you Marc how bloomin' annoying!!! I left Barclays years ago as I found them v. unhelpful.

marc.faulkner

I've always found their branch service very good, but have started to realise lately that the telephone banking is a load of pants!

Ellidee

First Direct are very good but the cheeky **** charge a service fee unless you have over a certain amount paid in each month.

marc.faulkner

To their credit, my local branch have once again come up trumps.

I had a full, verbal apology from the branch manager (no less!) and have also had the £35 fee refunded.

My letter has still gone in the post, although I did show it to the manager and he agreed with me that I had a fair cause for complaint and also suggested that I may expect to receive a small token of compensation...I wont hold out hope, but it would be nice of them.

In the meantime, when my wages are credited at midnight, I will initiate a manual BACS payment for my rent.

So, I still maintain that Barcalays branch service is second to none, but their telephone banking is poor.

Another positive from today - 3rd NSD in a row, meaning 100% record in 2008!

marc.faulkner

Just checked my online banking statement, and as well as the £35 credit, there's also acredit for my Foxy Bingo winnings.

It can stay there for now, until I know that my rent has gone okay, and then it will be transferred to my savings!

marc.faulkner

NSD NSD NSD!!!

That's my 4th in a row.

It also means, I officially haven't spent a penny in 2008...

Just recieved my AQA application pack too, so I can spend the evening doing the test.

marc.faulkner

Think I've managed to improve on my tyre quote - I'm planning on taking it in tomorrow as on closer inspection today, the front passenger side tyre is illegal

Decided to have a scout around, just to see if I could do any better - National have a BOGOF offer on at the moment, on some of the better brand tyres. I can get 2 Barum Brilliantis for £66 fitted - which I know is slightly more that going with the cheaper, unknown tyre (s), but it means I am buying a proven brand with a good reputation and a good rating.

Clubcard points too, so I have just discovered!

marc.faulkner

AQA application and test complete, and sent.

Everything crossed here!! :rotfl: