Financial Ombudsman - a recommendation

[bill-k]

E-stiffie sent - with polite suggestions !!

[bill-k]

Got a reply to mine inviting a formal complaint. Replied to that saying I declined to do so at this point, but thanks for acknowledgement & invite.

 

That's apoint, Beserker, maybe we should all fire one off to the OFT at the same time - it's only a couple extra keystrokes after all.

[bill-k]

Thanks, Mooreda, and hear, hear, Battleaxe.

 

Battle on.

[bill-k]

Does anyone know why you can't complain to the FO if you are taking court action against a bank?

 

Not too sure, Phatram, but I believe one has to choose whether to complain to the FO first (ie before going to court), then resorting to court action if the FO can't help - OR - just going straight to court (which is what the majority seem to be doing, here, as the FO seems to be able to do SFA !!)

 

Doing both simultaneously would be like trying to get your car fixed at two different garages at once.

 

HTH

[bill-k]

Hah !!! Is that right, Battleaxe. I've sent a stiff e-mail, but declined the invitation to complain officially. I suppose if your complaint is a general one, as opposed to a specific ongoing claim, then there's no harm. Or ARE you really getting the job done by both ?? !!

 

If that is so, then I apologise for the misinformation, Phatram !!!

[bill-k]

Battleaxe - Like you, I sent the FO my stiff e-mail, and got a reply inviting me to make a formal complaint if I wished (by sending in all the evidence , etc.) - I replied, declining to, AT THAT TIME. If you haven't received such an e-reply within a day or 2 of you sending your original stiffie, then I reckon they're getting swamped already !! They might even be GETTING THE MESSAGE at last !!!

 

You say you're not playing fair, but you're playing by their rules, aren't you ? Who's to say that's not fair then, eh ? That's reciprocity and mutuality in the raw , innit ?

 

Fell Outta My Tree Laughing at this one...Do you mean to say that YOU have actually been honoured with a communication from MBNA's Assistant Vice President ? Whoa - RESPECT !!! Makes you think you're being taken notice of, for once, doesn't it !!

 

I, too, felt just as important when I got a letter PERSONALLY signed by their Assistant Vice President. You've just burst my balloon, though. The AVP who signed MY letter was a Susan Pemberton.

 

They're ALL Assistant Vice Presidents, then !! There's a whole open-plan typing-pool full of 'em.

 

To me, that sums up their bl**dy attitude.

 

Yours (ever so slightly) sincerely

 

Bill-k

Chief Assistant Vice Under-Manager to the Chair.

 

[bill-k]

Hi Moneymonster - and welcome. That's one hell of a sad tale for you and your family. I've been 100% concerned with reclaiming bank charges, here, so I can't give you much advice myself. But I'm sure there is info on this site for your situation (if you haven't found it already). It might give you a better alternative to trying to get the FO to do anything.

 

You might want to start your own thread, too, as that might help you get the right advice from forum members.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Bill.

[bill-k]

I dunno, especially when you get replies like this:

____

Thank you for your e-mail.

 

I am not sure why this has been forwarded to our service as you state that you have no confidence of the Financial Ombudsman Service. I am presuming that this has been forwarded in error.

 

If you do wish to use our service I enclose an e-mail which maybe of use to you.

 

____

 

You didn't send to the OFT FSA by mistake, did you, un1boy ? I nearly did !!

[bill-k]

FWIW, this iz wot I rote, if itz any use (and they replied) :-

"

Hello,

I have recently been requesting repayment of unlawfully made bank penalty charges. I am constantly being told that I must wait in line for the bank to deal with my complaint, and then eventually being effectively told that the Ombudsman is the only avenue left to me if I am not happy with their response.

 

Having asked the Ombudsman previously for help, I know I am not alone in expressing my lack of confidence in the Ombudsman’s powers, or willingness to exercise those powers. I therefore am well aware that there are other, more effective, ways of dealing with the banks – and in particular through the Courts.

In my meagre experience, the Ombudsman seems to serve little other purpose than to reinforce the banks’ arrogance and sense of impunity.

I would respectfully suggest that, at the very least, the Ombudsman directs banks to suggest the Small Claims Courts as an alternative to the Ombudsman in many cases of complaint. Until such time that the Ombudsman can demonstrate both some muscle and also a full set of teeth, then that might at least be of some help.

Yours regretfully,

 

Bill-K.

"

[bill-k]

Good One, whufc77 !!!

 

Further to the recent input from Battleaxe, Mooreda & Notlam, I find myself well corrected with regard to getting my car fixed !! Hell, I ain't gonna argue with you guys !!!

 

I'm going to book it in to both garages in future. Thanks for putting me straight !!!

 

Bill.

[bill-k]

Hi, just an earlier email to the FOS, and their reply. For general interest.

Translating:-

Me: "The HMCS suggest I try alternatives first - can you help ?"

FOS: "Sorry, can't help - we have no teeth, and no balls, and as such are a waste of time, effort and space. Bye."

Sent: August 2006

To: External Enquiries

Subject: Query

 

Hello,

Following recent publicity concerning the OFT’s report on excessive bank charges, I have acted on advice available online, and requested refunds of such charges from several banks. Some of these charges go back more than 6 years (as far back as 1981), but I am told that I can still claim them as they are unlawful.

So far, the indications are that the banks will offer nothing unless and until I issue a County Court claim, but before I do so, should I first ask the Ombudsman to help?

 

The Court Service seems to suggest this, but I’m not sure if I can use the Ombudsman Service in this case.

 

Many thanks,

 

Bill-K.

 

Dear (Bill-K),

Thank you for contacting the Financial Ombudsman Service. Please quote reference number XXXXXXX in all future correspondence.

Information on our role and the service that we provide is available on our website, www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

 

I am afraid that there are some limitations to our powers. One of these is that we do not have a general "policing" function with regard to banks. We do not, for example, have the power to order or recommend that a bank should limit its charges to a particular level or should exercise its discretion in levying charges in particular circumstances.

Unless you tell me that the specific charge is not in line with the normal tariff, I regret that, on the information you have given, your complaint does not appear eligible for investigation under our rules.

Regards

Jo Kebbie

Consumer Consultant

 

 

 

[bill-k]

...I think I know which garage is going to finish the job, though !!

[bill-k]

Battleaxe - Well done, Phillipa. Yeah - go for the rest of 'em while your axe is still swinging !! I wish I had your spirit.

 

Un1boy - see notlam's answer !!!

 

notlam - I reckon that's about spot-on.

[bill-k]

Well done, Danielking - wish I'd said that !!

[bill-k]

Phatram - excellent link to the petition. Added myself, wife, kids, cat & 2 goldfish to it !! No, seriously, just us two. Keep posting it to remind people, though !! Can we and mods add it to their sigs ?

 

Also un1boy - the Watchdog link - another one to plug away at !! I wish Anne Robinson was back on that job !!

 

And MP's - I'll have to pull my digit out and write a stiffie.

 

And of course, AlanFromDerby, we knew you'd do a big one !! Let's hope it lands fairly and squarely under the right nose. Well done mate.

 

Well done all you guys.

[bill-k]

Echo that, pwuk26. Read up - read FAQ's etc. Read posts.

 

You will be amazed at what you can learn from this !!

 

It's as good as a PhD !!

 

Do it, matey - you won't regret it !!

[bill-k]

The Financial Ombudsman is a quango run by the banks themselves and as such has no vested interest in offering a fair service to the general public.

FWIW This seems well on-thread to me. It echoes my personal suspicions about the FO.

 

Can it be substantiated, though, Skyclad ?

 

Not a challenge as such - I genuinely don't know who really runs it, and I don't know how to find out.

 

Bill-k.

[bill-k]

It's just come to me - for What it's worth!!!

Glad I'm not the only one wrestling with forumspeak sometimes, mate. Yeah - it's fun just puzzling it out, sometimes, innit ?

 

We all slowly evolve our own, too. I use FOMTL (clue -see my location !)

 

Another one I got the other day was CRAFT, but I've forgotten what that meant. Geddit , yet ?

 

Post up answer for a free banana !!

 

HTH, BTW, but if you don't post back, then AFAIC - FU2 !!

 

[bill-k]

Maybe we should text our complaint to the FO with acronyms.

 

I have to admit I have never used the text facility on my mobile phone, i can't remember the number,, that is why no-one has it.

 

ROFLOL...

 

yes, they certainly seem to invite that, don't they ? I think I might have posted a rough template letter earlier to that effect !!

 

Predictive text - similarly dangerous.

 

You tell some nuisance caller to go forth & multiply. (Sorry - spread reputation)

 

Next thing you know, dearest mother-in-law has had the same suggestion - simply because your next text to her began with 'F.'

 

[bill-k]

Banana on it's way !!

 

...In fact, you can have the whole wunch !!

[bill-k]

wunch?

 

can you PM what "AFAIC - FU2" means? I'm intreged now!

 

Sorry, mate - I'm assuming too much here. When I see a Platinum poster, I assume they've been everywhere and got the T-shirt. This place is so big, though.

 

I don't think it has made Wikipedia, yet, but...

 

"Wunch" - the collective term for employees within the financial services industry. The expression usually takes the form:- " A Wunch of Bankers. "

 

AFAIC - " As Far As I'm Concerned. "

 

FU2 - "You also have my exhortation to go forth and multiply."

 

[bill-k]

My knowledge is expanding by the day. Who syas you can't teach an old dog new tricks?..

 

Sorry, Battleaxe - most of that was not really for your delicate shell-like ears !!

[bill-k]

I went to a lot of trouble re-programming my SpellChecker for the BAG forum - now it won't let me use the word *unch without changing it to Wunch !!

 

I'm also a member of the Hell's Advocates MotorMouth Club, Oakland, California.

 

Did you ever see that old classic film "Easy Writer" ?

 

Cheers mateys.

 

Hi-Jack over for today. :grin:

[bill-k]

I had no idea that the FOS was held in such low regard. I thought my experience with them - I ended up just doing everything myself - was an unfortunate rarity and put it down to bad luck but reading your message it seems I am one of many.

 

This morning I received a reply from the Nationwide Building Society to my initial letter claiming back bank charges - more or less telling me to get lost - in which they advise contacting the FOS if I am not happy with their response.

 

It seems I would be better off dealing with the matter myself.

 

However, in light of your message I shall certainly be writing to the FOS.

 

Thank you.

 

Hello Kevin

 

Yes, you got a standard "SodOff" letter, which is what we all get from them. The FOS has its' uses I guess, but apparently not in the case of reclaiming penalty charges.

 

But, as you will know, I think, you don't have to deal with the matter yourself. You can deal with it with the help of all these good people here.

 

...and boy, are they good !!!

 

Welcome and good luck.

 

Bill.

[bill-k]

Battleaxe - apologies for my Chauvinism !! Just thought I should have covered your ears back there. As it 'appens I feel like I'm now having to cover mine, whilst square-bashing. :o

 

Lovely piccie of your Gran, bless 'er.