bank charges offer

[kittylitter7]

I am with the Halifax and after a couple months and a few letters and phone calls they have offered me �1500 as a 'goodwill gesture' out of the �2500 they have charged me in bank charges over the last six years.
My first instinct was to accept as I didn't think they'd reimburse me at all and if they did I didn't think it would be that much but, after speaking with a few friends who have been in similar situations they have told me to refuse the offer and go for the full �2500.
I am not a greedy person so again I thought, 'no I'll stick with what they've offered me' but then on the other hand I'm thinking, 'it is my money anyway'.
Can anyone let me know the pros and cons of both options please?
ie: accept Halifax's offer or pursue the full amount?
By the way I don't even know the route I should take if I do want to go for the full amount.

[chuckie_egg]

I have read up on it, and have had a good will gesture from barclaycard myself, and under advisement i have wriiten a second letter accepting this as a part payment only, and that if the full amount is not received within 7 days i will issue court proceedings. Issuing the court summons will cost you money but you will get these back and the full amount as so far no bank has ever defended a case in court!!

Have a look at www.reclaimunfaircharges.com

[WendyS]

I think you should look at the article on reclaiming bank changes on the website
MoneySavingsExpert.com,
And also read some of the success stories about reclaiming bank charges on the the relevant forum on the site. There is a template letter on the site for making a claim.
Hopefully you will then be convinced that you should hold out for every last penny. But get your initial claim in quickly because I believe in April there may be some change in the ruling of the Office of Fair Trading that may stipulate the maximum reasonable charge that banks may make, and any claims received by banks after that date may well not be reimbursed in full.

[Shazza36]

A friend has just gone through this with the Halifax and when offered half of his money back he refused saying he was willing to go to court to get the full amount he was then passed up the line and spoke to someone higher up who has reimbursed the full amount.