Hi guys, Bit facetious I know but do you think, should someone get a claim through and win, Barclays could claim economic hardship given everything that is happening in the banking World at the moment?! In all seriousness, is the current climate likely to affect our claims? Cheers, KA.

Cheers yet again Slick - I think the big sticking point would be the fact that I do go over my limit regularly. It's the typical cycle of get charges, get paid but take a massive hit because of the charges, speak to the bank to try and sort something short term to lessen the problem/cut it short, get denied because I have charges, get more charges just before pay day and so it starts again. I guess that would be their argument, but as I say, they make a load of money from me and I am probably lowish risk because of my wages/expenses going in each month. We also have the joint account which is being run perfectly (my girlfriend is in charge of this!), so I guess they would be stupid to do anything! Maz - thanks for your support. I think you're right about her being condescending but I think she'd try and argue that she was trying to be friendly. It wouldn't suprise me if she thought I was a student as that happens all of the time so I guess she was trying to come down to my age. I found that bit funny to be honest, it was the threat that if I didn't take out a Barclaycard and pay off my overdraft I would have my account closed. Like I say, I wasn't too worried by it but I can imagine some people may have been. Cheers, KA.

Hey Slick, Yes, it's very much active. It's my current account which has my wages going in every month, interest coming out, direct debits, standing orders, bank charges (!) the normal stuff. To be honest, they make money from me and they see that I have the means to pay it off if I need to so I would imagine I'm good for them really. Cheers, KA

Cheers Slick (as always!), She basically wanted me to take out a Barclaycard and do a balance transfer. I can do it with my Virgin card (highly recommended by the way) as they will transfer funds into your bank account and class it as a balance transfer so it stays as 0%. I assume that's what she wanted me to do with my Barclaycard. Just out of interest, do you think there's a chance Barclays may call in my overdraft? Can they actually do that when I'm in dispute with them over the charges? Cheers for the advice, KA.

Hi guys, Again, a really long time since I last posted but then I guess that's what this has become really, a waiting game. I hope everyone is well and to those of you who've had some success recently, congratulations! Just wanted to tell you all about something and ask some advice really. The other week I had a call (one of those 'withheld' numbers that call and call) which, when I finally got fed up and answered, was my local branch asking me to come in as they could sort out my overdraft fees. I thought I should show willing as that can only stand me in good stead if and when this goes back to court so I arranged a meeting. On the day of the meeting I was almost at the bank when my flip flop broke (!) so I dodged into a shop to grab a new pair which made me a massive 1 minute late for my appointment. The lady I was meeting called me to ask where I was! I was literally 1 minute late! When I got there they took me over and she said, and I quote: "Hey babe - oh well, you were nearly on time!" I explained what happened and she said: "No worries babe, nice shorts". It would appear that I am "in there"! Anyway, long story short it wasn't about sorting my overdraft fees at all and all it basically was, was a dressed up sales pitch. She tried to get me to change my joint account. I explained I wouldn't be touching the joint account thank you very much as it's a JOINT account and property of both me and my girlfriend and I don't make decisions for her. "Oh right," she said "you're still together then are you?" At least she didn't call me 'babe' this time! The next tactic was awesome. She looked at my account history and then said: "You can have a credit card if you want. You've got the option for a Barclaycard because you're old one is closed" I said I was ok thanks, it's closed for a reason (27% a year interest for a start) and that I never want another Barclaycard again. She then looked at my account again, turned back and looked me straight in the eyes and said: "You should take the credit card and pay off your overdraft with it as you've had loads of charges and you'll be getting a letter soon closing your account because of it. That's what they do". I laughed a little and reassured her again that I was good thanks. I told her the overdraft will be gone as soon as they pay me the money they owe me and that there was no way I wanted a Barclaycard despite the threat. One positive was that she agreed I should get the charges back at some point and admitted that the OFT investigation is why they only charge £8 a time now. I then left, no better off than I was 20 minutes earlier but at least she'd not sold me anything to get her comission up. She did say "see you later babe" as I left which made me laugh, but ultimately it was a completely pointless sales pitch. Sorry, meeting! Anyway, I just wondered whether there was any truth in what she threatened (bear in mind that I do have a lot of charges but I also pay most of the overdraft off every month with wages and they are making a lot of money off of me in the form of interest and OD charges) and, if as I suspect, there isn't can I complain and to whom? It didn't bother me too much then but now I'm actually really angry. She basically tried to scare me into taking out a Barclaycard. This, coupled with the fact they sent me a letter saying they'd returned a payment and had to charge me £8,000 for it (it was actually £8.000 but it took me a few reads to confirm that and I have prefect eyesight), just made me very angry. I'm savvy enough to understand their tactics but not everyone is - I can't imagine my Gran's reaction if she read the £8,000 charge letter for example, she'd probably have a heart attack - and I would imagine the bankers could get her comission up by scaring people into taking out new accounts or credit cards when they don't need to. Sorry it's such a long post, I just wondered what I could do now. Thanks a lot. Like I say, I hope everyone is well. Cheers, KA.

Cheers Slick, I think I'll leave it for the time being as I don't want to be seen to be pushing it. Let them stall, it's all just added interest on my part isn't it?! Cheers!

Cheers Welshcakes - I might just send a letter then!

Hello again everyone, it's been a LONG time! I can't believe my last post in here was October, wow. I hope everyone is well! Anyway, I'm assuming today's result can only be classed as good thing, especially from what I have been reading and hearing since it came out. Am I right to say that it doesn't mean a new court case necessarily, but actually the OFT now have the legal remit to assess the charges? Also, from what was said on Fivelive just now (still going on as they've interupted the conversation to head over to the House of Commons) the OFT have been investigating the fairness of charges for sometime now just in case they got this ruling. The banks have got until the end of May to challenge the ruling. They have asked the banks throughout the whole case to justify their charges and the banks have so far declined at every opportunity so the expert on Fivelive at the moment has said she thinks it's highly unlikely that they will find them fair and so will look to identify what is a fair charge which the banks won't like. The banks may well ask the courts to find a price that is fair as that would be quicker and mean that the OFT would have to stop any investigation and probably not highlight their actually costs. All in all, is it right to say that stayed case will remain stayed and this will drag on, probably heading to the Lords? It's a small step but a positive one right?

Emails have gone to everyone of those bar the Sun. Thanks for the template and all of the addresses, hopefully it'll make a few people think about looking into it. Cheers, KA

Cheers Slick - I'm very well thank you, you? I've already handed in a load of stuff that I asked to be considered as evidence for my directions hearing last August (it wasn't!) so I figure I can just update that should I need a bundle (oh, and paginate when necessary). I've got a list of the stuff I handed in in post 276 of my thread - I'd like to know if I need much more really so if you can help we should probably carry this on in my thread so as not to take over Tori's too much (sorry Tori!) Cheers, KA

Hi guys, I was going to stick this in my thread but then figured I may as well kill two birds with one stone by wishing you all a very happy new year here as well as ask a relevant question so... ...HAPPY NEW YEAR - hopefully 2008 will see A LOT of people getting A LOT of money back! My question is this - do we just sit and wait or should we be proactively getting more stuff into the courts so that we have some more evidence for the judges dealing with our cases? It's been ages since I've really thought about this - I was just coping with coming back to work when I realised that January was "the month" so fingers crossed eh?! Tori, sorry to use your thread but I figured it made more sense to post this here whilst you have the experts attention! Cheers, KA!

Hey EL Hope you're well. Until Sunday night, I completely forgot that a mate of mine's girlfriend is a solicitor who is often defending people in Plymouth - I spoke to her about my case (very supportive) and the judges, her answers were interesting (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention names so lets just go with): Judge Who-Likes-To-Go-Everywhere-On-Foot: "nice bloke but very hard" Judge Who-Orbits-The-Earth: "top bloke, very fair, bit like a mad professor" So it would seem that you were right!

Lets hope so! On a different note, I completely forgot that a mate of mine's girlfriend is a solicitor who is often defending people in Plymouth - I spoke to her about my case (very supportive) and the judges, her answers were interesting (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention names so lets just go with): Judge Who-Likes-To-Go-Everywhere-On-Foot: "nice bloke but very hard" Judge Who-Orbits-The-Earth: "top bloke, very fair, bit like a mad professor" So it would seem that Leccy was right!

Hey Slick, Tried that over the phone on Saturday, the response? "Yeah, that's all on hold because of the OFT so I can't do anything." "Oh right," I replied "so they don't know if they're lawful or not but you're still ok to stick the charges on my account?" "Yes, because we don't think they're unlawful" she told me. If I thought I would have managed to get anywhere or at least made a point I would have told her that I think that they are unlawful so surely I should be allowed to not have them placed on my account based on that logic but I would have only be wasting my breath! Cheers, KA

Good luck next week - it'll be interesting to hear how you get on. He was a very smiley bloke when I saw him, although he did completely ignore the pages and pages of evidence I had handed in the previous week!

Hey Lemon, That's amazing that you mention that about that person that you mentioned but we're not allowed to mention in that context, if you catch my drift! Said person seemed excellent when I was there but that would explain some of the answers, especially the answer of: "Well, may be that should form part of your claim" To my question of: "Is there any scope for the courts to place a ban on any further charges whilst this case is being stayed?" I thought that this person was a nice, open and friendly type even if my question really went unanswered - may be I misread the situation! Cheers, KA PS Interesting to hear what Judge Moon told you, shame he didn't believe that enough to award you the case!

Hey EL, Thought I would post this in here rather than the Lit thread. Here are my court posts: "I have Judge Walker taking care of my case - anyone else had any dealings in Plymouth Combined Court with this Judge?" And then... "Well, guess who just got back from court with a cheque from Barclays for £6,500?!!! ...nope, not me. Barclays applied for a stay, judge said he had no choice but to apply it and said that he thinks there may be some idea in February - he said I could apply for it to be lifted in March if I wanted. As we left I thanked the Barclays bloke who apologised and said he doesn't understand why we had to turn up to hear that (wasting me time aparently! The bloody cheek!). Anyway, I said I'll see you again some time and he just laughed. So then, February it is..." Were you in Plymouth too? And what was Judge Moon like? Sorry, I'm at work so I don't have time to check your whole thread - sorry! Cheers, KA.

Basically yes I did Slick! Her response was "COURT?! Why are you going to court? Why not just ask us?" I explained it was quite a lot and that I had asked them a number of times but had no luck hence court - I don't think she understood really if I'm honest. Actually, if I'm honest, I don't think she cared! Cheers, KA

Hi guys, I spoke to a customer services person at Barclays yesterday and she mentioned bank charges, basically she asked whether I'd ever had any repaid. I laughed and said that I actually had a court case on hold at the moment because of the OFT to which she replied... 1) why did you go to court - why not just speak to us? 2) when did you ask for them as I (she) got all of mine back about a week before the OFT case 3) Oh well, it's a shame and it's a delay but you'll get all of the charges back I'm sure I was stunned to be honest but I guess you can't really take point three as gospel really can you given her position in the company (with all due respect to her - I'm sure she won't be deciding who gets what and when!). I was surprised by point two too as I always thought that anyone who works for a bank is banned from having an overdraft or is that just for people who advise/chastise people on their banking habits? As for point one, I politely pointed out that I did contact Barclays and that I have at least two emails telling me they would settle my claim. Anyway, I'm not sure whether that conversation made me feel better or worse to be honest! Cheers, KA.

Stupid computer! Ignore this and see below as that's what I tried to post here! Sorry.

Hi guys, Not sure if I should post this here so feel free to move/delete this if it is wrong - I'll stick it in my thread too just in case. I spoke to a customer services person at Barclays yesterday and she mentioned bank charges, basically she asked whether I'd ever had any repaid. I laughed and said that I actually had a court case on hold at the moment because of the OFT to which she replied... 1) why did you go to court - why not just speak to us? 2) when did you ask for them as I (she) got all of mine back about a week before the OFT case 3) Oh well, it's a shame and it's a delay but you'll get all of the charges back I'm sure I was stunned to be honest but I guess you can't really take point three as gospel really can you given her position in the company (with all due respect to her - I'm sure she won't be deciding who gets what and when!). I was surprised by point two too as I always thought that anyone who works for a bank is banned from having an overdraft or is that just for people who advise/chastise people on their banking habits? As for point one, I politely pointed out that I did contact Barclays and that I have at least two emails telling me they would settle my claim. Anyway, I'm not sure whether that conversation made me feel better or worse to be honest! Cheers, KA.

Cheers guys.

Hi guys, Forgive me, but are we (ie the claimants) in a stronger or weaker position than before the OFT announcement? I'm sorry but I'm getting a little confused with everything that is going on and having caught up with the posts on this thread (esp #905 onwards) I'm even more confused! Cheers, KA

Cheers Slick, got me nowhere though did it?! I'm currently buying a house and have a load of extra money going out (I could have really used the £6,500 right now but never mind!) so I have just increased my overdraft with Barclays to avoid yet more charges (it's unbelievable that out action is stayed and yet they can plough on regardless). The thing that struck me was how concise and deliberate the bloke dealing with it was, they are so much more polite and open about everything it's untrue. I took heart from this as, even though I don't have my money (yet), at least Barclays are beinging to see that they can't treat us as badly as they were before. I guess it's a small victory. Cheers, KA

Just sent this to Five Live, no doubt it'll be ignored but it's worth a go I guess: "Hi guys, I was listening to your show yesterday on the way home from work (as I do most evenings) and I was interested to hear the lady from Lloyds TSB explaining their rational for reducing their charges. I thought it was interesting that she twice stated that Lloyds are happy that their charges are lawful and that they would be happy to defend this in court. I know this is a little late to ask now but, rhetorically speaking, I was just wondering whether she would be able to point to any occasion that any bank has fully disclosed and successfully defended their charges in court (apart from after the announcement of the OFT investigation when they have merely applied for stays to claims and not offered any evidence as a form of defence). I would also be interested to know why, if they are so confident that their charges are so lawful and fair, banks have paid back over £1bn in charges to claimants in out of court settlements – surely the sensible thing to do would be to turn up, fully disclose the information that shows the charges are fair and lawful and put an end to all of the other claims that are waiting in the pipeline. I wonder why they haven’t done this yet. Thanks, KA." Be interesting to here what she would have to say to that, saddly I suspect I never will though! Cheers, KA.