Bank Charges - A suggestion

[hedgey06]

I have a suggestion to assist everyone in avoiding bank charges.

Don't exceed your overdraft limit.

 

Or at least contact your bank before you do, there are things that we can do to prevent the charge... but not afterward.

 

OK, I'm going to respond before the bottle of red goes down any more. Can I give you a little info on how your suggestions work in reality?

 

a) Don't exceed your overdraft limit.

Excellent advice - wish it was that simple. Every so often, human beings have a habit of doing something called 'miscalculation'. You think you've added everything up to the last penny - however, you didn't take into account the fact that your NTL D/D was actually 60p higher this month than last month. Result? D/D bounced at a cost of £38, unarranged borrowing fee of £28, interest on the UAB fee of whatever the banks deem applicable, plus twice the amount of money to pay to NTL next month. Final outcome? Skint beyond belief and desperately trying to explain to your 12 year old why he has to continue to wear school shoes that are too small for him; trying to explain to 8 year old twins why they can't have their birthday party; bricking it just in case your petrol doesn't last till the child benefit comes in as you'd be unable to go to work (too far to walk - no public transport links).

 

b) Or at least contact your bank before you do, there are things that we can do to prevent the charge... but not afterward

Excellent idea, why didn't I think of that? Ooooooooh........... just remembered............ I did!!!! Conversation went something like this: I've miscalculated one of direct debits this month, it's going to take me 60p over my existing overdraft. Could you possibly honour the D/D please? It's due out tomorrow and, until my child benefit goes in the day after, I honestly haven't got a spare penny. I also can't get to the bank as I'm in work before you open, don't finish till you're closed and can't get any time off work (year end - holidays used - you know how it goes!)

 

Answer? Eh? Be understanding and helpful and support you to avoid our extortionate and unlawful charges? No chance hedgey, on 'yer bike girl!

 

Now, I'm trying to be really nice here as I know you have a job to do and I would not intentionally disrespect somebody for expressing their opinion. I believe in freedom of speech, equality, active citizenship, being non-judgemental, human rights, father christmas and the fairy at the bottom of the garden. However, in this instance, may I say that I find your comments slightly patronising and inappropriate, particularly after the recent whistleblower programme. Compounded by your lack of understanding as to the human impact of the unlawful charges levied by banks and the fact that aforementioned 12 year old son's school shoes still too small (we've ordered a pair from a friends catalogue though), I must say I'm feeling rather touchy right now!

 

Apologies if I've offended you - however.................

[hedgey06]

Thanks Nattie, you know how much we on the nat west forum respect you and value the time that you give to us free of charge. Given that anonman is new at the moment, and has started off on an incredibly sarcastic, unthoughtful, unhumanitarian bad foot, may I suggest that you put him/her through your training school? This may alleviate future bad feeling and may even make him/her useful to us mere mortals at some point in the future. I'm off to our forum to do something useful now, something that may even make me feel good about myself............ support and advise my fellow human beings. No sarcasm - just genuine support for my fellow nat westers. And anonman - listen to Nattie please. The rest of us do.