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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted -  25/06/2010  :  09:59
I just love banks, don't you? They go out of their way to make life exciting and to make sure we are always wondering if our account will have been emptied by tomorrow morning. They spend a fortune launching `Chip & Pin' and trying to convince us that it is infallible and that any fraud on our card in future will be due to our failings, not theirs. They do us great favours like deciding, unilaterally, to get rid of cheques. They are so good to us I thought we should reward them with a thread devoted to their marvellous escapades. Let me start with this offering but please add your own experiences and comments...

We have received a letter from Santander (Abbey Nat to you and me) beginning "We are deligted to inform you..." which always sets alarm bells ringing, and ends "As Santander we will continue to offer innovative, great value products and are committed to delivering excellent service to our customers" which sets the sirens blaring.  What they are delighted to inform me is that they have upgraded (without consulting me) my Cheque Guarantee Card to a Visa Debit Card. But I don't want a Visa debit card, I don't need another card, it's just another thing to get stolen, lost or defrauded.

But there's a sting in the tail. They then tell me to destroy my cheque guarantee card by cutting it in half. OK, I think, the new card will be used for this instead. But no, lower down in the letter it says the new card cannot be used to guarantee cheques. I know that cheques are set to be phased out (unilaterally once again, by June 2011) but it looks like the banks have devised a great scam to deprive us of cheque guarantee cards so they can say that cheques are not much use. I use cheques a lot and I would prefer that they were not phased out, but then, hey, the banks are not there just for you and me, are they?

I notice that although the letter tells me to destroy the cheque card, nowhere does it say that I cannot continue to use it. So I'm going to use it for as long as possible. I advise everyone to do the same. The banks are just hoping we will all fall in line with their demands and destroy the cards immediately.


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 16/03/2011 : 10:53
Thanks Anni, when it came to the practical bit of starting a new account it wasn't as they said and she was able to open one and transfer the money. But dropping the rate from 1.6 to 0.5% with no explanation is bad.


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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 04:24
'In the City' is worth a read in PE this week. Comparison of the Iceland banks and BICC. Not reassuring reading. Bank lending money to a favoured few so they can buy shares in the bank. These securities then used for colateral for loans from other institutions. OK till share price falls which is of course what happened. Capitalism and the market at it's finest!


Stanley Challenger Graham




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pluggy
Geek


1164 Posts
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 07:40
If you want interest rate reductions without notice, you could do worse (sic) than put your money in the Skipton Building Society. They've done it for years.  Attractive rates in their window that you get for 12 months and then its reduced year by year down to 0.1 %.  If you want a decent rate you have to move the money into 'this years hot account' every 12 months.  I got fed up and put it in the Nationwide, where the goal posts aren't continually moving....... 


Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk"

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Anni
Regular Member


634 Posts
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 07:50
I've actually done pretty well with premium bonds this year.  Far higher return than the banks.

On another note, how many people think that when they pay out £ 200 for an IPod, it should work longer than 15 months.  Particularly as I can list how many times I have used it within that period.

"Ah madam, you didn't buy the extended warranty"

"No.  When I pay £ 200 for something I expect it to last longer than 15 months and certainly when it spends most of its time not being used".

"We can replace it for £ 100".

"No thank you".

I'm really really cross - not least because I have got rid of all my CD's,


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Bradders
Senior Member


1880 Posts
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 10:47
Anni , a friend of mine has advised that you should sue the retailer in the small claims court.( It does not require a lawyer)......

Under the Sale of Goods Act   "goods" should be "fit for purpose" ......15 months is much too short a period in which this sort of item should fail.

He also advises that you should send a letter to the retailer  (by recorded mail ) asking them to confirm your understanding of the comments they made in response to your complaint......

Specify a date by which time you expect a reply ( 14 days for instance), mentioning that if no reply is forthcoming , you will assume that they do not disagree.....and keep a copy.

It's all a bit of a nuisance , but it worked for him when an Olympus Camera failed after 13 months , and a very well known LARGE retailer refused to replace or repair it !

Incidentally that firm also offered a replacement at 50% of new price !

 

 


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belle
VIP Member


6502 Posts
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 11:33
Anni, phone trading standards they will tell you exactly what to say to the shop keeper, and how to procede if that fails. Bradders is right there is a legal requirement to sell goods fit for purpose.


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tripps
Senior Member


1404 Posts
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 12:07
Anni - go back and tell them, that whatever they say,  you are covered for two years under EU consumer law.  Look it up on Google first.     Publicise the time of the confrontation - then sell tickets - I'll buy one.  Smile


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 12:32
They are all right of course Anni. "Fit for purpose" is now enshrined under EU and therefore UK law. It must be fit for purpose for `a reasonable time' and 15 months is definitely not a reasonable time for such a gadget. They will usually back down once they realise you know the law, the companies operate a very cynical system where they refuse to try to avoid repacing the item until the consumer persists and shows they expect replacement or refund. If they still play hard to get then give them some publicity in your local newspaper. A friend of mine worked as public affairs officer for a big company and he always recommended using your local paper and local radio/TV if you couldn't get things done by the company. As Bradders says, keep records, take down names of company people you speak to. Tell them you will record the discussions on your Twitter and Facebook accounts (even if you don't have such things - and you can always start accounts specifically for this purpose. As Corporal Jones said "They don't like it up `em!")

Edited by - Tizer on 18/03/2011 12:34:39


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Anni
Regular Member


634 Posts
Posted - 19/03/2011 : 11:16
I thought there was something I had read about the EU consumer law and I bet it was on here! 

I bought it through Amazon and - well we all know who makes an I-Pod.

I will sort it out. and will start the conversation with "Do you mind if I record this call for quality purposes?"

Many thanks Laughing

 

Edited by - Anni on 19/03/2011 11:17:21 AM


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 19/03/2011 : 11:48
"Do you mind if I record this call for quality purposes?"

Anni, don't give them the choice of saying they do mind. Stay in control and state what you intend to do. "I have to inform you that this call is being recorded as proof of our discussions" ...or similar.


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belle
VIP Member


6502 Posts
Posted - 19/03/2011 : 11:52
Anni, just to help you I said "trading standards will know exactly what you should say " because there are certain phrases which show that you know your rights by law, this works as the shopkeepers recognise these phrases, and whilst the gun toting partners we share this site with seem to want to go for full blood straight off, it will save you a lot of time and heart ache if you avoid legthy civil court actions ( I know of very few self employed people who use this as a method to recoup losses as it is lengthy and costly) and just phone trading standards.


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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 20/03/2011 : 05:48
Shades of my 18 month old fridge. Go for them Anni. All I would add is that the letter sould be sent by registered post, not Recorded. These are so rare nowadays that they get instant attention and you are certain they have got it. Apart from the identification details of the offending Ipod it should have only two sentences, One saying that it is NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE and the other saying you expect to have a free replacement within 14 days. Here's the killer, you send the original to the retailer and copy it to Trading Standards and your solicitor and note it on a CC list at the bottom of the letter. You don't need to send it to the solicitor, if anyone ever queries this you just say it must have been lost in the post. No telephone calls and if they call you refuse to speak to them saying that you have been advised not to do so by your solicitor. Sit back and await developments.

If they don't respond, simply copy the letter to them again by registered post and add that if they do not respond 'YOU WILL TAKE MEASURES WHICH WILL ASTOUND THEM'. Basically the above is advice Robert Aram and I had from one of the wealthiest men in Britain at one time and I have never known it to fail. Keep a Pearl Harbour file obviously. Go forth and strike a blow for the Consumer.


Stanley Challenger Graham




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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 20/03/2011 : 05:49
PS. The reason I didn't do the above was that I had a fridge full of mutton and was far too focussed on the transcription of the CHSC. Trust me, it will work.


Stanley Challenger Graham




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Anni
Regular Member


634 Posts
Posted - 20/03/2011 : 10:06
Do I go for Amazon or Apple?  I'm guessing Amazon and it then becomes their problem with Apple.

Some good pointers.  Thanks.


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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 21/03/2011 : 05:46
Remember what Patton said when asked the secret of his success: 'I hits 'em fustest with the mostest!' Biggest prob could be finding a postal Address for Amazon!


Stanley Challenger Graham




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