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AIBU?

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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:
Enid · 09/05/2007 14:45

its not up its own arse

some people agree, some people don't

such is life

LittleSarah · 09/05/2007 14:47

Indeed, some people don't agree it's up its own arse.

I think it is.

Such is life.

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:47

oh it's ok noodle - I wasn't intending to be personal (if you thought I was).

I just really can't stand the thought of people being taken advantage of when it comes to essential services.

So either people getting charged more because they are on prepaid gas and electricity meters, or not opting for direct debits (which I won't do thus have to pay more because I choose not to) or getting overcharged by banks. As I said, I don't disagree with a fee being charged, it's just the extent of the charges I think is wrong.

minkybiscuit · 09/05/2007 14:47

To pay up when you know you're in the wrong is fine - to allow yourself to be repeatedly and unfairly shafted is completely wrong. Next time a cash machine can't dispense your money for a technical fault will you be recompensed? No!!

The bank doesnt do you any favours - it is a business relationship and as such you have a right to demand fair business practice.

Enid · 09/05/2007 14:48

littlesarah you sound very bitter

Gobbledigook · 09/05/2007 14:49

'put people off from running their accounts into the ground.'

That's a good thing, no?

I can't understand why people who are charged, charged and charged again just keep on doing it. People with thousands of pounds worth of charges? What is that all about?

Excluding exceptional circumstances of course. The average person must get the message that they need to sort out 'their books' surely?

Anyway, perhaps management of personal finance should be covered in school? Although it's generally just a simple sum isn't it? Money in minus money out equals spending money?

We all have times it goes out teh window a bit - I've had overdrafts, had blips here and there - but thousands of pounds worth of charges, no.

EllensIroningPileNeedsDoing · 09/05/2007 14:50

I have never been charged at a cash machine

where are these machines?

(it is only up its arse if disagreeing with your opinion

expatinscotland · 09/05/2007 14:51

Great post, foxinsocks 14:47:35.

Spot on, too.

Enid · 09/05/2007 14:51

me either

I know the ones in service stations charge you

so I dont use them

I have been overdrawn

quite honsetly the threat of huge fines puts me off doing it more often

so they are goo dthing in my case

NoodleStroodle · 09/05/2007 14:52

Fox I completely agree like the prepay meter thing and such like - that is a scandal because those are essential.

Taking your point a little further - just for a debate sake - what if I can only get to work by train which is dirty, runs late, it over crowded etc Should I not buy a ticket?

Enid · 09/05/2007 14:52

why on earth no thave a direct debit?

you SAVE money that way fgs

expatinscotland · 09/05/2007 14:53

NO ONE is saying there shouldn't be a charge, Noodle, just that the charge for this essential service is disproportionate.

PeachyChocolateEClair · 09/05/2007 14:53

thats not what she meant

waht she meant was the banks are all happy to charge you, but you have no come back when their service is poor

Only cashpoint here frequently broken btw and bank don't care a bit. Even if it means we cant get any money its not their problem

NoodleStroodle · 09/05/2007 14:53

Enid - if you are paid weekly cash and living from week to week it is impossible to run a monthly direct debit.

foxinsocks · 09/05/2007 14:54

oh I couldn't agree more about the educating bit GDG. I think they should learn basic financial management skills at school.

I'm not working now but help people with managing their accounts/debt in the meantime (to pass the time). You would not believe how little understanding some people have of bank accounts and how they work. Seriously.

I remember they did a study (will look in a minute) to see how many people could actually work out how much interest they were going to be charged on their credit card if they didn't pay it back on time and hardly anyone could do it.

Quite often, financial information from banks is not presented in a format that the average person could understand.

expatinscotland · 09/05/2007 14:54

Enid,
Some people who are poor cannot have direct debits for this because they live pretty hand to mouth and may not have all the money to cover a debit sitting in their account when it comes due. Might be able to pay, say, only a part of it.

EllensIroningPileNeedsDoing · 09/05/2007 14:54

tbh I don't use cash machines anymore due to fraud

so I just get cashback now in shops

Enid · 09/05/2007 14:54

yes I realise that

but foxy said she 'wont' do it

so I took thta to mean that she could if she wanted to but chose not to

apologies if wrong

Tutter · 09/05/2007 14:55

interchange fee (twixt banks re customers using other banks' atms) scrapped some time ago

was a big blow for some banks

spongebobpoopants · 09/05/2007 14:55

I too have friends in this situation and I feel it isnt really about how much money you have but about living within your means. I have many frinds who are living as though they earn £70,000 a year and consequently go overdrawn and get charges which then has a knock on effect of having less money etc. One friend has got over £3000 back and then bought a sofa!!! Why not invest it for the future rather than piss ot away on holidays and frivolities!!
BTW I realise there are people that live hand to mouth and cannot help the chrages but in my experience there are many more like the above.

NoodleStroodle · 09/05/2007 14:55

Are there not basic bank accounts? I am not sure what these are but I had a deeling they were for people who had trouble with money - you didi not have a debit card as such but could get money out with another card?

expatinscotland · 09/05/2007 14:55

Yes Royal Bank of Scotland and Halifax continue to post record breaking profits.

Enid · 09/05/2007 14:56

oh I am not getting involved in a rich v poor debate

typical musmnet that it gets so unintelligently polarised so quickly

PeachyChocolateEClair · 09/05/2007 14:56

Noodle if a train is late repeatedly there is a system for reparations

if your bank frequently has a queue of 30 people, cashpoint not working and does things like the bank details in skips (we were one of those peole) then you can do nowt, except move somewhere equallya s awful IF you can get an account there anyway

Rantum · 09/05/2007 14:56

I agree with Little Sarah except for one thing: expecting empathy on an MN thread. No no no! Don't you know that for many, MN threads represent an opportunity to JUDGE the world and his son.

"Why doesn't person x live the way I do? Have I NOTpresented a picture of my unrivalled responsibility, indeed perfection, adequately enough for replication to begin NOW? Now! Be like me! Yes, now!"

You've got to love it. I do get some satisfaction from the fact that I am sure that these deluded folk are presenting a false picture of themselves that ONLY exists in their own minds and in cyberspace.