Help with virgin fees

pickle28

Hello
I really need help.I went over my limit with my Virgin Credit Card in June by about £20, I got a £25 charge which is fair enough as it is my own fault (although I hadn't realised I had gone over my limit - but that's another story).
I sent the cheque off but could only afford just over the minimum payment. When my next statement came I had been charged £25 again, then the same happened the statement that followed that.
I decided to phone Virgin to see if they could help - the chap I spoke to (after being put through to 3 departments) was very helpful, he said he would refund one charge of £25 and if I could pay the minimum payment there and then it would bring me just below my limit, so I did this and was extremely happy (well not that happy as still owe loads). My statement came last month and I was just 81p over my limit, but had no charge, this was great, I also thought they couldn't mind me being over my limit by 81p. I paid the minimum payment (I would love to pay more but just can't afford it), I thought this would bring me under the limit by a few pounds at least. I have received my statement today and have been charged £25 for being 81p over my limit last month and it has now taken me up to £18 over my limit.  I have tried phoning them and get a recorded message saying how important my custom is, I got put through to 3 different departmets and was just left llistening to the recorded message. I was on the phone 27 minutes until I gave up.  I have just tried to apply for another credit card to transfer the balance but have been refused.
I am stressing so much as the minimum payment has shot up to £114 now and I just can't afford it.
Is there anything I can do?????

funkymonkey

the fact that you have only gone over your limit may not be on your credit file as you have not missed a minimum payment so there is a way out.

Preferably if you are going to get a new card but have been refused you need to be a bit savvy.

Making sure that you dont apply for too many is also somthing you need to think about. more than 12 a year is a it on the dodgy side.

Try to get an easily accepted card that offers 0%

MBNA Classic - usually high credit limit and 0% 6months
Barclaycard - they give you a high APR but good 0% deal
Your Bank - providing you have good history with them

johnllew

MBNA Classic - usually high credit limit and 0% 6months

The Virgin card is run by MBNA and if you're having difficulty with one MBNA-backed card, I imagine they are unlikely to give you another.

If you are unable even to make little more than the minmum monthly payment, it seems to me you have a real debt problem. I suggest you have a look at the "Loans & Debts" forum and consider taking advice from somewhere like the Citizens Advice Bureau.

funkymonkey

now how stupid do i feel :-[ oops my mistake i should have looked first before advising.

pickle28

any help is welcome with open arms though at the moment!!!!!
You can't feel any more stupid than i do for getting in a mess in the first place.
I should really know better!!!!

MarkyMarkD

If you miss one payment, it's added on to the next minimum payment - and the charges are all payable immediately.

You really have to catch up with things and then they won't mess you about.

Thinking "81p over won't matter" is not a good idea! The limit is the limit.

pickle28

well as the chap I spoke to at Virgin assured me I would go below my limit - I foolishly believed him, so when my statement arrived and I was 81p over the limit I thought they had taken this into account!
I wouldn't think it doesn't matter as I know I owe the money - but like I said as I was assured from Virgin I would be ok - I believed them - that is where I was foolish!
I was trying to catch up with things - that is why I contacted Virgin in the first place for help.
I also know the limit is the limit - I thought my card would be refused if I was at the limit - again, that was me being foolish!!

Thanks for the reality check though