Toothless Ombudsman and Ignorant Barclays - makes you cry!

[simmotech]

I have been in dispute with Barclays over their (re)definition of BBBR and BOER for many months. I have spent many hours amassing a set of documention around an inch thick and provided internet links and even a video of their own advert proving my case.

 

The Ombudsman is about to rule against me but each point he made and dismissed are not what I asked to be considered. So I asked the Case Review Adjudicator if I could see exactly what questions the Ombudsman had asked of Barclays and what Barclays replies were.

 

Here is the response in full (is it Chinese Whispers or Three Monkeys - you really couldn't make it up):

 

 

Dear Mr Hewitt

 

 

 

Thank you for your e-mail, which has been added to your file. I have attached a copy of the questions that Barclays has been asked during our investigation together with its responses.

 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry XXX

 

Case Review Adjudicator

 

 

 

·Mr Hewitt has supplied a number of website links relating to the information Barclays was giving about its base rate (BBBR) around 2007. I understand that you have already received these in an email from Mr Hewitt when he originally brought this complaint. I am also attaching a further link which he has recently sent to us relating to the advertising of the rate. The ombudsman has asked for Barclays' comments on its advertising of the rate

{Link to moneysavingexpert.com removed to allow post}

The attached website has no affiliation to Barclays, therefore, I do not think it is appropriate to comment.

 

·I am also attaching a link to a Barclays advert which aired in 2007 which appears to show that it was marketing its rate as tracking the BoE base rate. Please can I have your comments on this {Link to tellyads.com removed to allow post}

Again, this website has no affiliation to Barclays and therefore I do not think it is appropriate for me to comment.

 

·Does Barclays accept that in 2007 it said its rate was the same as BoE base rate and did it market its products a tracking BoE, rather than its own rate? When did it stop doing this?

 

As stated in my e-mail dated 6 April to Mr XXX, Barclays Bank Base Rate (BBBR) has tracked the Bank of England Base Rate (BofEBR) since the start of the 20th Century and there has not, to ourknowledge, been an exception to this.

 

·Was it likely that in 2006 Barclays staff would have told enquiring customers that its tracker mortgage tracked BoE rate?

 

Our staff would have informed any customer making an enquiry that a Barclays Tracker Mortgage tracked BBBR, which would be disclosed in the Key Facts Illustration and the Mortgage Offer.

 

·Please can Barclays also provide a complete copy of the September 2001 edition of the terms and conditions of the mortgage.

 

Unfortunately,we do not have any additional information to the 2001 Mortgage Terms andConditions. However, as I have said previously, the Conditions applicable to Mr Hewitt and Ms Storm’s Mortgage is attached to their Mortgage Offer, which was attached to my e-mail of 6 April. Condition 7 states:“The interest rate charged shall always be 0.75% above the Barclays Bank Base Rate.”

 

While I appreciate Mr Hewitt & Ms Storm’s concerns, the interest of their Tracker Mortgage has been charged at BBBR,which is the same as the BofEBR. BBBR is a rate set by Barclays Bank PLC, which typically follows the BofEBR but it is not guaranteed to do so. I do not see the relevance of Mr Hewitt & Ms Storm’s concerns in this respect because the interest rate of their Mortgage has moved in line with each change to the BofEBR. The fact the Bank uses its own rate (BBBR) is for commercial purposes, in view of any unforeseen eventuality that may occur within the property market.

 

 

 

 

I'm going to look around this site to see if anyone has posted links to Mortgage Conditions/KFI/Supplementary Conditions for 2006 (and 2001 if possible). I have seen snippets of these on various websites but need to get a copy of the full versions. If anyone can direct me I would be most grateful. If you have copies and are prepared to upload them (redacting any personal info of course) that would be even better and I can pay a little (say £20) for your trouble.

 

Cheers

Simon

Edited August 19, 2011 by simmotech

[rebel11]

Hi sim

 

Welcome to CAG

 

The guys will be happy to advise as soon as they are available.

[IanHamilton]

·I am also attaching a link to a Barclays advert which aired in 2007 which appears to show that it was marketing its rate as tracking the BoE base rate. Please can I have your comments on this {Link to tellyads.com removed to allow post}

Again, this website has no affiliation to Barclays and therefore I do not think it is appropriate for me to comment.

 

Hello simmotech

 

In the advert is something that is said or shown on screen ?

 

If it is something that is said, couldn't you record the audio onto a cd and send it to the Ombudsman Service to pass onto Barclays.

 

If it is something on screen, couldn't you get a screen shot (play the video press print screen and paste into word other software package) and send a copy of it to the Ombudsman Service to pass onto Barclays.

 

Just thinking of a way to get other come the petty objections of Barclays.