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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

to think that people should shut up about their bank charges? You incurred the charges, so pay up.

400 replies

AitchTwoOh · 09/05/2007 12:57

honestly, i've got a friend who just got £5500 back and he's off on holiday with the proceeds.

he's absolutely USELESS with money and knowingly incurred all teh charges, so why exactly does he deserve to get the money back? it's not a bloody savings account he's been paying into...

OP posts:
NoodleStroodle · 09/05/2007 14:21

I am not so sure - you open an account, you make an agreement with the bank and part of that is if you go overdrawn etc you are charged. When you open your account they tell you what they are going to charge you when you do things like that. Wake up and take responsibility for your life!

They are a commercial organisation and not a charity. If you don't like it have an account at the Post Office or something. Do you expect the supermarket to give you food for free when you have run out.

I admit that some charges by some banks are way out of order but you are the customer so move.

expatinscotland · 09/05/2007 14:21

trouble is, noodle, every bank charges about the same thing.

MNHQ
Tech · 09/05/2007 14:22

Here's one that just happened to me that I do think is a bit scandalous.

About three years ago I had an MBNA credit card with a balance on it. Eventually I had the means to pay it off in one go. So that it would definitely pay off, I overpaid by a bit (so that the payment would cover the next month's interest as well). Since then the account has been about 12 pounds in credit and I haven't used that card so it's just sat there. I just got charged a 10 pound "credit balance fee" about three years later, along with a letter saying they'll charge this every month the account carries a credit balance.

I'm surprised it's even legal to just unilaterally introduce a charge like this. I suppose the terms and conditions must have a cover-all "these may be changed at any time" clause. There really isn't any reasonable excuse for charging for a credit balance that I can think of. It strikes me as hucksterism.

In the words of Ms Tate, "the dirty, evil, robbing b*ards".

LittleSarah · 09/05/2007 14:22

Haven't read the whole thread but yes you are being unreasonable.

The banks are, as expat says, robber barons, the charges are hugely unfair and I don't think people should have to put up with being charged at a disgustingly high rate for being sent a letter or something.

That is my opinion anyway, I haven't claimed but I might do and the more who do the better, then they might reduce the fecking charges. I am happy to pay IN PROPORTION.

minkybiscuit · 09/05/2007 14:23

Speaking of the supermarket - today at tesco I was double charged for a pair of knickers by the cashier so I went to customer services - their policy is to refund the overcharge and also the original charge - voila!! - free knickers - I was well made up with it. Only right really, tho.

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:23

christ, you lot can be patronising sometimes.

It's not that they charge necessarily, it's the extent of the charges and banks make money from interest (and mainly their corporate activities) - look at the interest we earn on positive balances in your bank account (woeful) and you'll see where they are making their money.

Stigaloid · 09/05/2007 14:23

at Tech! That's outrageous! They have taken £10 off you for having credit on your card? Disgraceful!

PeachyChocolateEClair · 09/05/2007 14:24

And then of course Tech, they charge £10 first month so your balance = £2

They charge you £10 next month your balance = -£8

Hang on, suddenly you're owing them money again!

NoodleStroodle · 09/05/2007 14:25

Fox - does that mean if you are only parked half on the yellow lines you only pay half the parking ticket?

LittleSarah · 09/05/2007 14:25

I admit that some charges by some banks are way out of order but you are the customer so move.

Um NO. Don't move. You are going to get charged similarly everywhere and as most people NEED bank accounts then they are quite right to complain about banks rampantly ripping them off. These charges are considered illegal by many. People sticking up for banks. Sheesh.

Enid · 09/05/2007 14:26

I agree with the OP

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:27

sorry, that was to noodle and her 'wake up and take responsibility for your life' comment!

of course, ideally, we'd all have positive bank balances but people get into difficulty and once that happens, the charges snowball so quickly, it's often really hard to get out of it (so an unauthorised overdraft plus several items bouncing can tip your debt from say £100 into several hundred in a matter of days).

NoodleStroodle · 09/05/2007 14:27

You see the thing is - and I don't get it - you make an agreement with the bank and when they do what they say they will do if you break the rules you don't think it is fair?

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:28

I don't understand the point you're trying to make noodle.

Enid · 09/05/2007 14:29

just don't go overdrawn

or if you do ring the bank straight away

they will often waive the charges if you actually speak to them and explain what is going on

unfortuntely the upshot of all these claims will be the end of free banking

PeachyChocolateEClair · 09/05/2007 14:29

If people incur a bad credit rating through bank charges (and again I emphasise I am talking about peolpe who incurred them through bad luck etc- late wages / bad credit from other peolpe etc) then they can't always move, as the original bank well knows, its hard for them to get another account. So the people who need help most are renered powerless.

The situation as Dh found is best solved in early childhood by opeing a few accounts arund and then beinga ble to switch without all the preliminaries- its how he got away from NatWest. I'm still with NatWest as a point of morality- in that NatWest offered to close my acocunt because DHs (totally separate) account was OD!!! I flipped on them abot that, and received cash and an apology, and as such feel I shuld dtay, iykwim.

rabbleraiser · 09/05/2007 14:30

I get it, Noodle.

NoodleStroodle · 09/05/2007 14:30

That you have to take responsibility.
You make an agreement with the bank and there are penalities when you break the rules.
It is you account to run as you think fit.
It is your account to watch and check that is running smoothly, that there is enough money to cover outgoings etc

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:30

People have to have bank accounts. We may not agree with the terms and conditions but you need bank accounts for work to pay in money and to pay out direct debits/shopping. There is no other option to them.

speedymama · 09/05/2007 14:30

I have never been overdrawn because I know that I will be charged for it because I have read the terms and conditions. Similarly, if I wanted an overdraft, I could arrange it with the bank and no doubt pay a monthly fee for the privilege.

This is why I have a problem with feckless overspenders thinking they have a right to claim back charges for money they spent that did not belong to them in the first place.

Genuine cases where folks found themselves in a position where they had no choice but to overspend due to not being paid tax credits or a cheque bouncing or expenses being paid late etc should be refunded. I have no problem with that.

It is the lazy eejits who refuse to take responsibility for their actions that I find indefensible. Where is the accountability and how can they learn to be more responsible?

Banks are a business, not a charity. If you do not like their terms and conditions, bank somewhere else.

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:31

I meant your point about the yellow line (I see what you mean now but I don't agree).

Stigaloid · 09/05/2007 14:31

Noodle - you do make an agreement with the bank that they will charge you fairly for any lapse in your account. the reason people are able to claim back is that the OFT have stated that the banks have not charged fairly and therefore the banks have been in breech of contract. That's why banks can not contest any claims - because they are the ones who have broken the contract, not the customers.

EllensIroningPileNeedsDoing · 09/05/2007 14:31

I used to phone mine up using my phone voice and got the charges refunded

or sent stroppy letter, or both

expatinscotland · 09/05/2007 14:31

No, noodle, I don't think it's fair. Not when all banks charge the same disproportionate fees.

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:32

it's not really 'free' anyway.

and they won't always waive the charges when you go overdrawn - it probably happens that way for you because you're lucky enough to normally have a healthy bank balance.