Studio Cards

TwinsMum_2

Hope I am putting this in the right place I have a small account with studio cards which I tend to use at christmas only, now they don't offer the facility to pay online or through the bank online, so i sometimes forget to pay them as all my bills are set up online, alot of me payments have been late as a result of this, now everytime my payment is late they charge me a whopping £20.00 administration charge (what for) what could possibly cost this much, now I'm not disputing that me payment is late it is. I usulally spend around £100 pound each christmas this can easily turn into £200, sometimes I am not even sure I have had their statements yet I suddenly get a letter stating £20.00 once even £30.00 pounds admin charge any ideas whether I should complain.

Murdina

Have you done a google search on these people? I had never heard of them till I read your post and it seems like you are one of many who are disgruntled by their charges.

I would do 2 things:

- complain and point out that the charge most likely well exceeds any cost to them in chasing you for the money (and therefore may fall foul of the unfair terms in consumer contracts regulations, which are being used against banks & credit cards)

- stop using them!!!!

mummytofour

Simple dont use them!

Becles

I'm not being rude but the charges are your own fault for forgetting to pay them!

Either shop elsewhere in future, or find a way that reminds you to pay the bill. Would writing the due date on a calendar or in a diary help? Or if you use Outlook daily, you can set it up as an appointment in the Calendar and a box will pop up on bill payment day to remind you to pay it!

Zebedee69

I just looked at card and catalogue on internet........

Hows your credit rating? This studio thing is a shameful 29.9% so you could alot worse than switch to a 0% deal for a bit. That way you can get rid of this card and switch to mainstream lending.

While were on the credit rating thing you might want to check you havent any late payment markers against it.

Once your rid of card claim back the charges! Not before though they might try and call in the outstanding amount/close the card.

daveboy

Becles wrote: »

...the charges are your own fault....

Those words in that order aren't what people want to hear...they want to be given sympathy and told they've not done anything wrong, despite the fact that they post details which plainly outlines that the company concerned has done nothing wrong.

Companies such as this always confuse me, well, the people that use them certainly do. Yet another catalogue company where people trip themselves up...I'm always perplexed as to how I, and many others, don't go near them and have never had any other sort of store card.

Having read the opening post, using Outlook appears to be out of the question Becles.

I would most certainly write a letter of complaint and post it immediately. Ensure you put your name and address on the envelope.

TwinsMum_2

Becles wrote: »

I'm not being rude but the charges are your own fault for forgetting to pay them!

Either shop elsewhere in future, or find a way that reminds you to pay the bill. Would writing the due date on a calendar or in a diary help? Or if you use Outlook daily, you can set it up as an appointment in the Calendar and a box will pop up on bill payment day to remind you to pay it!

I wasn't suggesting that is not my fault, I just thought the charges were a little high, maybe I am not as pefect as you and I certainly won't be asking for any help again

moneysavingmumofone

TwinsMum is not disputing the fact that its her fault. She was merely saying that the charges seem excessive which i agree with. Most other catalogue companies charge a £12 administration charge.

daveboy

You mention complaining about the charges....they would have been detailed somewhere as you must have signed some sort of agreement with them. If you paid on time you'd have nothing to complain about.

If they don't offer a facility to pay online or via bank account online then for me that says it all when it comes to the company. They are one of the many that I call 'cowboy companies' that people can really do without.

emmy05

studio have been around for years, i use them myself as well, i think theyre great to use, but its always good not to fall behind, i tend to pay a bit more each they want payment, hope you get it sorted, and have you tried ringing them?

Becles

TwinsMum wrote: »

maybe I am not as pefect as you and I certainly won't be asking for any help again

How rude!

I'm not perfect.

I'm self employed, part time uni student and mother of 3 children. I find Outlook Calendar very useful which is why I suggested using it. It allows me to note down everything that I need to do for work, uni and home life. Checking it morning and night, makes sure that all the jobs get done including paying things on time. It's not called being perfect, it's called being organised and managing time effectively. It works for me, which is why I thought I would share the tip, but I wish I hadn't bothered now.