First Direct - Beware!

IHateDida

deano8000 wrote: »

sounds like youve got sour grapes just because you cant manage your account efficiently. quote]

I do manage my account efficiently FYI. But maybe if I was as wonderful as you clearly sound, I wouldn't have this problem

I only wrote this post to warn others about how FD classify their month - to me the whole of November would be a month - not from 5 Nov - 4 Dec, and I'm sure others will be caught out this way too if they use their accounts as a joint account, with both parties getting paid on separate dates.

I really wish I hadn't bothered posting anything.

ckerrd

IHateDida wrote: »

deano8000 wrote: »

sounds like youve got sour grapes just because you cant manage your account efficiently. quote]

I do manage my account efficiently FYI. But maybe if I was as wonderful as you clearly sound, I wouldn't have this problem

I only wrote this post to warn others about how FD classify their month - to me the whole of November would be a month - not from 5 Nov - 4 Dec, and I'm sure others will be caught out this way too if they use their accounts as a joint account, with both parties getting paid on separate dates.

I really wish I hadn't bothered posting anything.

According to the website link posted by noh the FD definition of a month is exactly the same as yours
month means calendar month and we will work out the average monthly balance by adding together the end of day balances for each day during the month and dividing the sum by the number of days in the month

So I do not see why you would have been charged.
When did you money go into your account?

Paul_Herring

IHateDida wrote: »

Paul_Herring wrote: »

Erm - isn't the whole point of your OP that you aren't in fact paying over £1500 a month, every month?

Just because you disagree with FD's (reasonable) definition of a month doesn't make their position any less valid. Nor does it excuse you from acknowledging their T&C's.

Did you not read my OP? I AM paying in more than £1500 per month - a month is classified as 30 days right? :rolleyes:

I did read your OP. And I made my reply based on it. You clearly didn't read that reply in which I said you aren't paying £1500 every month, with a month being clearly defined in the T&C's as a calendar month.

Just because you disagree with them using calendar months, in favour of your mythical 30 day months (or other people's mythical 28 day months,) doesn't make the T&C's unreasonable.

You're looking for an argument where you are not in the right. And there are a few potential solution(s) to your perceived problem, none of which are overly complicated (except perhaps the last):

1) As advised by FD, ring them up every time you cannot contribute £1500 in a calendar month and they will, in your own words refund the charge. Or
2) Open a savings account and deposit a quid in it. Or
3) Move your account to another institution. Or
4) Arrange your pay so you are paid (calendar) monthly.

Clearly 2 requires the least effort on your part, but you reject it because of the onerous amount of extra paperwork/statements FD will generate because of it, despite the fact you can ask them not to send it.

Am I wrong in complaining?

I think so. You haven't lost out yet, and you can prevent future charges easily. But if you're intent on complaining, feel free to carry on...

IHateDida

Is 5th November - 4th December a "calendar" month as you seem so intent on pointing out???

I don't think it is! Or did you not read my post properly????

ckerrd

IHateDida wrote: »

Is 5th November - 4th December a "calendar" month as you seem so intent on pointing out???

I don't think it is! Or did you not read my post properly????

It is not a calendar month, nor is it what FD call a calendar month.

Paul_Herring

IHateDida wrote: »

Is 5th November - 4th December a "calendar" month as you seem so intent on pointing out???

I don't think it is! Or did you not read my post properly????

Nigel has already addressed this point. You've even thanked him for his post.

I failed to see any point in re-iterating it, but since you seem to think I need to, then ring them up and ask them why their calendar months don't start on the 1st.

Alternatively, since the number of days per 'month' remain the same regardless of whether you start counting from the 1st, 4th or even up to the 28th, it doesn't really matter for the purposes of counting calendar months, i.e. how many days are in each month.

Unless of course you open a savings account and negate the whole issue entirely.

You seem to be deliberately ignoring any constructive suggestions I'm making in favour of accusing me of not reading your posts properly. May I suggest it's you who aren't reading mine 'properly?'

I understand why you're upset that FD aren't accommodating your own very personal, slightly unusual, circumstances, and that stomping your feet may release some tension, but the barriers to circumvent the whole problem are hardly insurmountable.

CopperPlate_2

Yes, it seems odd that in this case fd have calculated a month from odd dates in the preceding and current month, but it appears the OP hasn't actually asked if this is 'normal' or whether it's a system glitch. From the rather adversarial response to some of the other posts it appears that the OP is out to 'pick a fight' come what may with fd. The very reasonable option of opening a savings account (e-savings with no paperwork at all) with an extremely nominal sum would completely circumvent the charging each period if deposits aren't regular or are, for instance, four weekly. It just seems that no matter what is said, the OP has their own view and that's it. My own view is that they should just move accounts and be done with it as nothing else it seems will please them.