[Johnny 1989]

That sounds about the amount they charge for those telegraphic transfers or whatever they're called that are supposed to be instant I think... I don't know why, but maybe you assumed they'd want to use that. I've transferred money to other banks accounts without problem lots of times.

Ah! That maybe what she said, I couldn't hear the first word properly although it most likely was telegraphic.

All this banking terminology is rather confusing to be honest, my Brother is going to transfer the money tomorrow & when i come back from Hong Kong I'll have a proper look into this.

[Boboff]

It's for a same day transfer, like you use when buying a house, it means its cleared on the day.

[Johnny 1989]

It's for a same day transfer, like you use when buying a house, it means its cleared on the day.

Ah right, I didn't ask for that, all I asked her to do was move the money from one account to another, perhaps she misunderstood me.

[MK Chris]

I have a little story about bank charges... I currently bank with Barclays. I am a Barclays customer because since the age of about nine I was a Woolwich customer. Ever since I've been working, I've been dreadful with my money, getting charges left right and centre and at one point in about 2001 I lost the use of my card and had to ring up in order to get a cash withdrawal authorised and then go to the branch to actually get my money. I am now getting myself sorted, which actually is thanks in a massive, massive part to Cat.

For the first time since I can remember, I haven't been into my authorised overdraft this month, let alone over it, however, last month I did go into my unauthorised overdraft. I was due to be charged £44 for that privilege this month, but I rang up and asked specifically if those charges could be waived, something I have never ever done before. This was agreed by the lady I spoke to, but yesterday they took out £44 in charges. I rang and was told in no uncertain terms that charges can only be refunded if they are caused by a banking error or fraud and that I should never have been told that and unfortunately they won't be able to refund those charges. I accepted that yesterday and rang the Co-Op and asked them to open some accounts for me so I could do my banking with them, which they have done. However, this morning (again encouraged by Cat), I rang Barclays customer services again and was told the same thing, so I asked to speak to a manager. I made the point that they are making billions of pounds in profits and £44 is absolute peanuts to them, particularly in the current economic climate, when banks should be doing what they can to help the consumer. I also said that I know for a fact that at least some other banks are refunding charges as a one off request (I mentioned RBS... I didn't mention foot-loose.) She put me on hold for a bit, came back and told me she had refunded the charges.

I was going to put it in the making me smile thread, but then it's still annoying me that they treated me that way in the first place. I'm still defecting to the Co-Op.

[foot-loose]

When dealing with agents on the phone, it is a bit hit or miss whither they do what you want or not. I tend to go by the rule that if you don't get what you want with the first person, try speaking to someone else. Shouting at the agent is not likely to get you very far except put on hold till you go away - then it becomes someone elses problem.

You can generally tell within a couple of seconds whither the person you are talking to can understand what you are on about and what sort of mood they are in.

[MK Chris]

I know, but the first person I spoke to yesterday put me on to someone (without me asking) who introduced herself as a manager and she clearly couldn't be bothered to go through my account and see that I was telling the truth because the woman I spoke to who was a manager (when I did ask to speak to a manager went all through it and refunded it.

Thing is though, the thing that I don't agree with is that they will only refund if it's a banking error or fraud - Barclays are one of the biggest organisations in the world and make billions of pounds every year... a piddling £44 really makes no difference whatsoever. I know if they do it for me they have to do it for everyone, but they can afford to do it as a one off for customers who have got in trouble. They have made quite a bit off me in bank charges and the very first time I've ever asked, they weren't going to do it.

[foot-loose]

Meh. I can't comment on their policy. I can't comment on our policy either, but at least I know what that is.