Halifax charges -£39

catalonia13

Hi everyone,
thought I'd start my own post rather than tacking on the end of other, relevant, posts!
Basically, the Halifax charged me £39 for a failed cheque (it was written in good faith but the BACs credit I was expecting in to cover it went in a day later than normal, not the banks fault!)
I emailed the Halifax, on the 10th Aug stating that I felt their charge was unrealistic, not proportinate to their costs (an automated letter sent on-line so not even printing and postage costs involved!) and requested that they remove it, and said (politely!)I would take it further if they didn't.
I had an email back next day apologising for "any inconvenience caused" and that they would forward my email to the 'Bank account dept', today the charge has gone on my account! so they appear to have just totally ignored me now!?
I am going to write back and ask that they remove this charge with immediate effect until the matter is resolved satisfactorily, but would appreciate any advice/suggestion from you guys as to how I word my letter, I'm in danger of getting very angry now and I don't want that to come across, yet!
thanks,
Linda

Fedz

If you can remain calm. Give them a call and remember the name of the person your talking too. I doubt that CS will be able to credit it back to your account as a goodwill gesture but you can tell them to escalate it to maybe the supervisor and upto the line manager (remembering the names of these).

As it isn't the Halifax's fault - your going to have to be apologetic for your slight oversight - presuming this is your first 'offence'

soolin

Like Fedz says you may need to be very very apolgetic to have a chance of any money back.

A few months back I forgot to pay my First Direct credit card in time as I was in hospital and was charged a late fee. I phoned them as soon as I could and grovelled, I explained that I had never ever forgot to pay before and they ended up reimbursing me for half the charge.

Be nice, be apologetic and they may refund all or part of the charge. Anecdotally I had heard that former building socities like Halifax are sometimes less willing to compromise than banks, but it is always worth a try.

Soo

tinalives

The 10th isn't that long ago - they may well be passing your communication around and trying to decide how best to deal with it.

THE_ROCK84

So isnt it your fault that the cheque bounched in the first place??

tinalives

THE_ROCK84 wrote:

So isnt it your fault that the cheque bounched in the first place??

That is irrelevant as the banks charges do not represent a true pre-estimate of loss.

Fedz

THE_ROCK84 wrote:

So isnt it your fault that the cheque bounched in the first place??

Well obviously yes but as humans we all make mistakes (banks included)!

Granted some make more than others and banks take this into consideration when a situation like this arises - depending on your accounts running and also your relationship with the bank plus banks sometimes quite happily try to make good a customers mistake ... depending ...

It's worth a try for a refund on your first 'offence'.

catalonia13

Yes - it is my fault the cheque bounced but that is not the issue here, the issue is the extortionate charge of £39 for emailing me a letter to inform me, this is not a realistic charge for their costs incurred, it is a penalty

THE_ROCK84

then why write a cheque when you dont have the available funds in your account?

Fedz

catalonia13 wrote:

Yes - it is my fault the cheque bounced but that is not the issue here, the issue is the extortionate charge of £39 for emailing me a letter to inform me, this is not a realistic charge for their costs incurred, it is a penalty

No offence but I'll say it before someone else does

Did you not agree to the T&C's of having and using the account?

If you don't agree with them find another bank

THE_ROCK84

Fedz wrote:

No offence but I'll say it before someone else does

Did you not agree to the T&C's of having and using the account?

If you don't agree with them find another bank

Thank god!! I totally agree! Like i said in another post, u signed it, so read it and weep! Cause they only charge u, WHEN U CANT LOOK AFTER UR MONEY!