Re: Ribble Cycles: a warning



P

Pete Biggs

Guest
JLB wrote:

>> If you have a case, a small claims court action would probably be
>> quite effective. Cycle shops have lots of nice kit for the bailiffs
>> to
>> go after & they know it.


Do I need to use a court local to the company or local to me?

> "If" being quite a significant word. The story so far seems to imply
> that Ribble Cycles simply appeared out of nowhere to raid this poor
> chap's bank account.


That is what it felt like, that was the effect. They made a completely
unathorised charge to my debit card some days after an order for which I
was already charged.

The story is complicated by the fact that I returned two items for a
refund from the original order, but that doesn't explain or justify
sending the whole order again and charging again. It was either a bizarre
mistake or their idea of punishmment for daring to return (unused) items
that were not as described.

I did eventaully get a refund for those items but have so far only been
refunded for one of the three (unused, unsolicited) items in the second
lot I returned (all in the same parcel).

The matter is further complicated by £50 bank charges which resulted from
the unauthorised debit (as my account went into the red), for which I'm
trying to claim in addition. (Ribble said they would refund these on
receipt of proof but have not actually done so).

> Would Ribble Cycles contradict this version?


They have not denied it.

> If
> it's true, I wonder why Ribble Cycles bothers with the bike business
> at all. Emptying people's bank accounts at will is surely more
> remunerative.


It is true (not that I mind you questioning). I suspect they're happy
with the business they get from their weekly CW ad and can afford to mess
the odd person about for fun when they feel like it. Probably the number
of people influenced by bad reports on the internet is not enough to
bother them, sadly.

~PB
 
Pete Biggs wrote:
> JLB wrote:
>
>
>>>If you have a case, a small claims court action would probably be
>>>quite effective. Cycle shops have lots of nice kit for the bailiffs
>>>to
>>>go after & they know it.

>
>
> Do I need to use a court local to the company or local to me?
>
>


Do it on-line
https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp

All the information you need is there.

Tony
 
> Everytime they start waffling just say the same words again "I want to
> report an unauthorised transaction". Become as robotic as the scripted
> call centre monkey your bank forces you to interact with. I'd amuse
> myself with counting just how many times I could say the phrase in the
> one phonecall :)


Eugh, phonecalls are expensive! If you've got the time go to a branch and
see a real person - they're better trained and get it sorted there and then
without costing you several pounds. Of course a few quid might be better
than losing your lunch break :-/
 
On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 13:24:01 -0000, "Pete Biggs"
<pwrinkledgrape{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote:

>he bank has now refunded the charges after I wrote
>to them (I'm **** on the phone at things like this). And Dribble finally
>coughed up for the value of the goods returned.


That's good to hear Pete, glad it's all sorted.

>It was £55.04 in the end. £25 charge for every single DAY overdrawn then
>interest plus a £5 monthly charge!


HOLY COW !!

Twenty five quid a DAY? That is f***ing outrageous!

I think you should tell us the name of these thieving swines, so we
will be aware of their nature in future.

Anyway, hope the hip is healing well Pete, have a good Christmas mate
( Woo Hoo !! Figgy Pudding !! ).

--

Call me "Bob"

"More oneness, less categories,
Open hearts, no strategies"

Email address is spam trapped, to reply directly remove the beverage.
 
Call me Bob wrote:

>> It was £55.04 in the end. £25 charge for every single DAY overdrawn
>> then interest plus a £5 monthly charge!

>
> HOLY COW !!
>
> Twenty five quid a DAY? That is f***ing outrageous!


LOL! It is outrageous but after re-reading the small print I see I was
being slightly misleading. It's £25 if "you have an unauthorised
overdraft for any 2 days in a monthly charging period" then a further £25
if "you have an unauthorised overdraft for any further 3 days in a monthly
charging period....Capped at £50 per month". Additionally there's the
interest + £5 monthly charge + £30 for any "failed transaction because of
unsufficient funds".

> I think you should tell us the name of these thieving swines, so we
> will be aware of their nature in future.


Alliance & Leicester. They're otherwise very good, actually. Just stay
in the black!

Merry Christmas to you and all readers.

~PB, so far taking my consultant's advice of not drinking too much to
ensure I don't fall over