Customer sends in the baliffs against his bank!!

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#1 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:43 pm

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 69,00.html

Bailiffs seize bank's cash
David Sanderson

A bank customer who was angered by the refusal of his branch to refund thousands of pounds of charges responded by sending in the bailiffs.

Customers at the branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in North London were stunned to see debt collectors that were hired by Declan Purcell seize four computers, two fax machines and a till filled with cash.

The branch manager agreed to refund Mr Purcell his £3,400 charges after being told that otherwise the seized items would be sold. Mr Purcell, 48, said that he was following an example set by the bank. The London Underground employee, from East London, said that he had unfairly accrued the charges while running a motorcycle dealership.

After his demand for a refund was refused, Mr Purcell applied through the county court to get the money back. In December it ruled in his favour but the bank still refused to return the money. The court gave him a warrant of execution, allowing the debt collectors to reclaim items from the bank.

A spokesman for RBS said that it was investigating the incident, adding that it appeared to have been caused by an administrative error.

The Office of Fair Trading is investigating whether banks are implementing charges fairly. Customers pay an estimated £4.5 billion in charges annually.

That link for reclamation of your money:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bi ... 0760,24632,

I would say to tread carefully though..

Gio · #2 Post by **Gio** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:49 pm

RBS is currently in trouble, they have charged thousands of their clients interest on borrowings that they've made a f*ck up of.

Other banks have made mistakes as well, including my own.

One of the problems relates to a lot of UK banks using indian call centres who employ staff who don't really undestand english.

I'm in the process of moving my accounts to a proper bank.

BikerGran · #3 Post by **BikerGran** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:02 pm

What's a proper bank then?

Gio · #4 Post by **Gio** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:09 am

BikerGran wrote:What's a proper bank then?

Somebody like Coutts.

Aladinsaneuk · #5 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:40 am

I think you will find that Coutts is part of Natwest - having said that I use Natwest and have to say I am happy with them

yello · #6 Post by **yello** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:52 am

I read this yesterday and it made me smile. I like the bank blaming an 'administrative error' too. Strange they can be so damned sure about their processes when it comes to levying the charges!

Gio · #7 Post by **Gio** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:53 pm

Aladinsaneuk wrote:I think you will find that Coutts is part of Natwest - having said that I use Natwest and have to say I am happy with them

Its part of Royal Bank of Scotland, it does however retain its independance, as it has its own board of directors.

BikerGran · #8 Post by **BikerGran** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:00 pm

I think NatWest is part of Royal Bank of Scotland too - RBS??????/

I'm with NatWest and I suppose they're no worse than any other bank.

Come to think, slightly better than Lloyds TSB where we have another account - they keep losing track of money thats supposed to go nito our account.

Myrkk · #9 Post by **Myrkk** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:34 pm

I think it's hit and miss to be honest........... our Abbey account worked brilliantly in St Neots in Cambs where the staff were friendly, helpful and polite. Here in Wales the staff are grumpy, unhelpful and we've had nothing but problems with the account.

Conversly our Lloyds account has worked smoothly........

Aladinsaneuk · #10 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:34 pm

aye, I think Natwest is tied in with one of the scots banks - as is lloyds.....

All I will say, and living in a small market town this makes a difference to me, I can actually call my branch, and talk to people I know - and no poxy (Jade goody thought removed) telephone operatives - it matters to me :)

(Try ringing norwich union for a total screw up .... last person I spoke to there did try, but I could not understand him at all - and we ended up spelling everything out phonetically... having said that, his english was better than my indian/sanskrit/urdu/whatever so I have to give some credit)

xrphil · #11 Post by **xrphil** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:37 pm

I`ve got to say, of all the companies i deal with, i have the least problem with my bank / bs.
I use Nationwide, (have for 18 yrs, after problems with banks)) they don`t charge for using debit or credit card abroad, and give me a good exchange rate, from ATM`s. cheapest money on hols etc.
They seem fair in there dealing and charges, and when I made a big mistake with one of my accounts, cancelled all but £10 of £80 bank charges.
I`ve just moved my car insurance over to them now as well.
It seems there policy to keep customers happy, which is unusual nowerdays.

yello · #12 Post by **yello** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:47 pm

I've been with Nationwide for around 20 years and in all of that time I've not had any problems. They have bank charges like any other banks but nothing silly and I very rarely pay anything anyway. Even their o/d rate is reasonable. I actually don't understand why so many people put up with the charges levied by the likes of Barclays, Nat West, et al. If they shifted their current accounts to Nationwide, they'd safe quids.

My credit card and mortgage is with them too. Can't fault their customer service either.

And, no, I don't work for them!

Gio · #13 Post by **Gio** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:00 pm

Nationwide is a bank, it has a 123 certificate, which is required to operate as a bank.

Firms like Halifax, Nationwide, Bradford and Bingley (part of Lloyds Bank) etc are not in true Building societies at all now as they have a banking certificate.

BikerGran · #14 Post by **BikerGran** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:07 pm

yello · #15 Post by **yello** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:18 pm

I can't see the point in what Gio's saying either. Is anyone disputing that the Nationwide is a bank?