Grr Warning Halifax withdrawal of 0% introductory offer

Daisybee

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum but I was SO incensed I felt compelled to share my experience, if nothing else to warn others (apologies if someone has got there before me).
I applied for a Halifax One card and enjoyed 0% on balance transfers and transactions until October 2008. Now (this isthe stupid part) due to pressure of work, my husband took over our finances and didn't set up a direct debit. He then missed December's payment (too much festive spirit) I have just got this months statement to find that they have withdrawn the introductory offer completely and charged me full interest!!!!
i'm so mad!!! I've got even by transferring the balance to capital one but that's not the point. They don't make this clear its apparently somewhere in their terms and conditions but that is it, there was no provision to set up a direct debit when i took out the card (my husband asked for a form with the bank and was put off) and when I rang and said i would just move my credit - they simply weren't bothered! Hardly giving a little extra is it!
So pleased be warned - get those direct debits set up!!!
DB

fletch3163

Hi Daisybee

I moved to RBOS last year and I forgot to set up my dd in time. First time ever in my life I missed a payment. Thankfully they took pity and I still enjoy the 0%. There's loads of stories on credit cards today. Apparently Egg and Virgin have upped their interest rates by an amazing amount and they've upped their minimums from 3% to 5%. Loads of folk are fuming.

sundog

Halifax did this to me also, when i complained they said 'the recording of bank sort code and account number was for id purposes, not to set up a method of payment'

Not sending out a DD form with the card is also poor of them.

I wonder how many other people have been caught by this?

cashprincezac

it states on my statement the payment method and I always check this after a bad experience with the Abbey.

nomoneytoday

Many banks want you to fail to make a single payment, its a foundation part of their money making criteria, as the Interest free period stops.

95 out 100 people in this scenario will not get the low rate back without threatening to cancel, or paying the debt off elsewhere and transferring it back.

What was it Martin said about the banks' being friends?

Paul_Herring

To be fair to Halifax, all CC providers withdraw special offers on failure to pay a payment on time, and all provide the facility to pay by DD (though some, like Halifax apparently, don't offer it up front, and of those that do, not all offer all options that are available (set amount, minimum amount, or (the one that's usually missing) the full amount each month))