A Bankers View, Open Letter To Martin Lewis And His Followers On Bank Charges.

fiveyearplan

Angel - put things into perspective and think what is really important in life - debt is NOT one of them! Talk to one of the debt charities in Rog2's post above. They will let you know what options you have and you'll see things more clearly and find an appropriate way out. NOTHING is worth suicide. Think of all the positive things in your life -yes, there are positive things. I know sometimes things get on top of us and its hard to see what is REALLY important. New year, new start and all that. Good luck and keep posting. It may be worth going over to the DFW board.

angelwillow

Not feeling that bad just now although have done in the past - but thanks for the advise!
Am managing the best I can, still have a roof!

fiveyearplan

Oops, sorry Angel I've just noticed Rog2 doesn't have those debt charities in his signature anymore. If you can't find them google CCCS or National Debtline. If you still have trouble, PM me and I'll find them for you.

angelwillow

Can't do IVA since I'm not in England but coping thru payplan just now.

fiveyearplan

That was my goal for 2007 to keep my house and with just 3 days left it looks like I've managed it!! That will be my goal for 2008 too but I'm anticipating things to be a lot harder for me financially in 2008.

rog2

angelwillow wrote: »

Can't do IVA since I'm not in England but coping thru payplan just now.

Will talk to you tomorrow - virtual of course.

MissEyre

BANKER_GIRL wrote: »

Maybe, but i simply do not wish to throw money away on something i do not need at the moment. I am exceptionally frugal, always have been, with my own money. And until i feel there is no chance i will get myself into financial difficulties i will manage my money in this way, and i am happy with that.

It's excellent news that at the age of 21, you have 'always been frugal'. Congratulations on your determination to stay within your current account limit, I would advise you to spend a while reading some of the posts on the Debt Free Wanabee board, to see some of the stories there from people who have not always had that as an option. I appreciate that you may have made your original post in good faith, but cannot think you had spent much time reading the boards-you come across as hopelessly naive, and depressingly well rehearsed in your call centre script. This website acts as an invaluable point of contact and information for people who are often in despair when they find it, and I am proud to be a member. And I speak as one of the lucky people who hasn't been hit by bank charges so far.

durian

I came from a developing country meaning one rank below UK as developed country. Banks there use withdrawal limits to prevent customers from going overdrawn especially when they dont have overdraft facilities.

Yet, UK banks charge you GBP25 for each withdrawal over the limits. Imagine, a visitor to UK withdrawing happily without knowing that UK pirate banks are hoovering his GBP25 for each of his GBP10 withdrawal. A quick check with HSBC revealed that customers would be saved from any embarassment that could arise if they cant use their debit card - what a BS!!! BS if banks are protecting their customers coz they only protect the shareholders without social responsibilities.

All I can say is they are simply pirates and I guess the developing countries protect their citizens better than UK, a so called developed country. For that Banker Girl, I would be ashamed if there is no champion like Martin to jolt the Govt to do their job.

fiveyearplan

durian wrote: »

A quick check with HSBC revealed that customers would be saved from any embarassment that could arise if they cant use their debit card - what a BS!!!.

BS indeed! I've had the 'embarrassment' of having my card declined before. I've also had transactions go through that have taken me over the limit. Where is consistency?

Dylanwing

Rog2 - I t take your point, but I liked the sense of belief in the post - I disagreed with much of it, but it had a certain passion and lacked the usual Corporate BS of Banks defending the indefensible.
Angelwillow - I was in a similar position about 8 years ago and know how bad it is. Keep fighting, and give the Banks a hard time, Collections staff are generally liars and bullies and really hate it if you fight back, or point out that their threats are meaningless.
I don't knowabout others on here, but in my case, and that of a couple of friends, if the Banks had dome what they claim and loooked at Income and Expenditure, and accepted an affordable amount each Month, my life wouldhave been a whole lot better, and they would actually have recovered far more than they did by being unhelpful.