Barclaycard - bastards

16 Jul 15 - 11:10 AM (#3724037)
Subject: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,😠

Ok.. I admit I've never been too brilliant at understanding finance and banking.

That's probably why so many working artists and musicians need good managers and accountants ?

As it is, I'm not even a working musician, just anther dopey old arty farty hippy.

My credit card debt is the equivalent of 2 or 3 very pricey guitars.

I just realised my monthly repayment to Barclaycard was a day overdue,
so phoned to apologise.
The customer service guy was easily understanding and automatically offered to refund the £12 penalty charge.

So far, that's good.

But then he happened to mention an additional interest charge, which it transpires is basically another hidden penalty charge, of over £100.

just for paying a day late.

When I expressed shock and annoyance, again he quickly offered to refund this charge as well as a gesture of goodwill.

So, this was a real learning experience for me.

Don't naively believe a late payment is only charged the standard penalty of 'only' £12.

the cunning embezzling bastards !!!

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16 Jul 15 - 11:24 AM (#3724041)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

yeah - I accept I'm naive and should know better by now - but I'm still fuming.

So, basically, in the past then, whenever they've 'helpfully' let us off the £12 penalty,
they've never mentioned that at the same time
they're sneakily siphoning off a much greater disproportionate sum
hidden in the small print detail interest charges.

Which they cynicially bank on a great many of us never noticing them doing and getting away with it.

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16 Jul 15 - 11:28 AM (#3724044)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Richard Bridge

I've never (yet) had a problem with Mastercard - and I often pay a day or two late, but I do clear my balance every month. There is a specific lateness charge of £100 but the only times I've been charged it is if I completely forget the payment and am over a week late. That's been about twice in 20 years.

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16 Jul 15 - 11:33 AM (#3724047)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link

We have found the co op bank to be quite fair.

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16 Jul 15 - 12:03 PM (#3724063)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Dave the Gnome

Direct Debit is good for ensuring that you don't forget to pay. Just set it up to pay the minimum if you want and then pay the remainder if you can. I have never come across any downside to it.

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16 Jul 15 - 12:20 PM (#3724065)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,😠

..and another bloody devious thing they do [which is why I got caught out this week]
is have a consistent 'pay by' date for months eg the 13th of the month
so we get into a settled routine of phoning up to pay on the 11th or 12th;
then without warning one month craftily switch it forward a few days to eg the 10th.

Their explanation for their banking systems's need to do this is baffling and went over my head.

suffice to say it's a nice little earner for them in extra late payment fees and interest !!!


[yeah Dave - that makes a lot of good sense - but my minimum payment increases every month until it spirals so far upwards
it's time for the annual serious spending discussion with the wife ]

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16 Jul 15 - 12:35 PM (#3724069)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A financial survivor

If you don't care about your credit rating, don't pay them at all. It's an unsecured loan, and the odds on them taking you to court are slim.
If Barclays collection dept.had another brain cell it would be lonely.
Turn them over like they did you, and sleep well at night.
Better morally than Financially bankrupt.

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16 Jul 15 - 12:36 PM (#3724070)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

When the co-op bank were panicking about going bust a couple of years back their computer was phoning up every few hours saying urgent action was needed, and kept doing it for a time after a payment had been received.

Maybe they just needed money, any money, now, and getting a late payment fee sometime later was no help.

They have now gone back to quietly adding £20 to the bill if I forget.

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16 Jul 15 - 12:41 PM (#3724072)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Thompson

One of the handiest things is to work out how much you need in your bank to cover your monthly direct debits. Leave the amount in that will cover that, and a chunk over, and set up a standing order to put your food and spending money into another account that you'll use for your normal weekly spend.

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16 Jul 15 - 12:56 PM (#3724078)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Megan L

Oh wouldn't it be great to be rich enough to have a credit card.

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16 Jul 15 - 12:56 PM (#3724079)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Megan L

Oh wouldn't it be great to be rich enough to have a credit card.

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16 Jul 15 - 01:06 PM (#3724084)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,😠

Megan L - or... wouldn't it be great to be rich enough not to need to have a credit card...

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16 Jul 15 - 01:36 PM (#3724092)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Bonnie Shaljean

One way or t'other, it's a great way to get poor.

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16 Jul 15 - 01:39 PM (#3724093)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A financial Survivor

..and that dear guest hits the nail squarely on the head. So I say gloves off to the Banks!!

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16 Jul 15 - 02:52 PM (#3724111)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Richard Bridge

Yes they do sue. I used, for various clients, to have battles with their employees who lied that they were solicitors (just like Wonga did). I won sometimes.

D/Ds are a BAD idea - they take the money when they send you the bill, not on the last permissible day.

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16 Jul 15 - 04:22 PM (#3724135)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

I signed up to Barclaycard having read the terms and conditions.

Calling them bastards is valid prior to agreeing but calling a customer stupid is more apt after they signed.

Poverty? Don't spend what you can't afford. Credit cards have DD and a million ways of you ensuring you pay on time. Hell, your phone can remind you!

No, they aren't bastards. You are stupid and irresponsible.

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16 Jul 15 - 04:33 PM (#3724139)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,Kampervan

Dear Guest 04.22

The milk of human kindness runs freely in your veins - doesn't it? You really don't know the circumstances yet you judge very harshly. Perhaps you're right, but maybe you're not. My phone can't remind me because we don't ALL have smart phones.

Unfortunately, many people expect free banking and free card services, which is fine except that the operators then have to make their money by penalising you when you break their rules.

If you don't like it then change to another provider or stick to the rules.

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16 Jul 15 - 05:00 PM (#3724148)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

Credit cards obviously aren't for you then

Buy what you can afford and pay it back. It isn't difficult and calling them bastards is soooo Greek

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16 Jul 15 - 05:06 PM (#3724149)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Dave the Gnome

they take the money when they send you the bill

No they don't. They send you the bill and say words to the effect of "unless you disagree with the amount, we will take it out of your account in XX days." Seems very reasonable to me. Unless the amounts involved are mega you are not likely to make any significant interest in the few days between when the DD is taken and the 'last permissible day'. Sorry, but I just don't understand that reasoning.

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16 Jul 15 - 05:09 PM (#3724150)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,Kampervan

Oh, but they are. I have several, and I don't pay fines. I use interest-free periods and juggle balances with the best of them.


But if putting food on the table means that you run up a credit card bill that you ultimately can't afford then I for one would not condemn that person. I'm fortunate not to be in that position, and I certainly don't judge those that are.

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16 Jul 15 - 05:57 PM (#3724157)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A financial surviver

Well said Kampervan. The last word is that nobody in this argument is wrong. However the simple fact is that the two opposing sides are on each side of a financial line that is all too often crossed by decent moral law abiding people by mistake or by misfortune, or far too often by downright trickery by the lenders.
The moral outburst from our guest above says 'financial security' to me. Morals are all very well if you can afford them. In an ideal world 'don't buy what you can't afford' might be an option, but if you are a pensioner, who lost out to crappy bank investments and have an ailing wife it's a different story.
The daft name I have used above, is a headline to a long story over decades. I can tell you stories about abuse from Banks that would leave you open mouthed in disbelief.
I fought back and won hands down, and nowadays help other people to regain control of their lives.
Richard is right Banks may possibly sue if they get a whiff available equity, usually they fail to turn up in court. Mostly they use debt collectors who are even more incompetent than the Bank collection departments and have less rights to approach you than the Pizza delivery boy. You are only in trouble if the DCA uses a statutory demand, and then you can probably get it set aside.
If you have no stomach for the fight then I fully understand and prepare to be impoverished. If you are sick and tired of being financially exploited then stand your ground and fight your corner.
Finally grovelling apologies for a post that reads like a mission statement but I just want to add that the bank could not care less if you pay or not. The collections department is run by ordinary folk who are probably deeper in debt than you are. Banks like all bully's go for the easy target, they will harass the student until he or she tops himself, or pester the widow until she has a heart attack, that's their level. I for one will not stand for it, and my life is better for it.
{Phew! thanks for reading if you got this far!}

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16 Jul 15 - 06:11 PM (#3724161)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,😠

Guest 04.22 - no problems.. I expected a belligerent reactionary to turn up here at some point,
your contribution is another point of view to be considered

After all, mudcat is a broad church, and the diverse membership / guestship is one of this community's greatest assets.

It's unreasonable to presume that some mudcat members aren't retired bank managers / financial executives / company directors,
or shareholders invested in the worst rapacious corporate predators...😜

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16 Jul 15 - 06:27 PM (#3724164)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Steve Shaw

I have a Tesco MasterCard. All my spending is done on this card, often up to £1500 per more per month. I use it everywhere. I clear the balance religiously every month and never pay interest. Just in case I forget to make the payment (I never do), I have a belt and braces direct debit set up to pay the minimum each month. This means I can never pay a fee for late payment. I get loads of Tesco Clubcard rewards for this level of spending, which in recent times I've used to obtain, without parting with a penny, a DeLonghi coffee machine, a top of the range Garmin satnav, a tablet and some superb bedding.

I've never heard of a hundred-pound fine for late payment. As far as I know, a late payment fine above £12 is illegal. As far as I'm concerned, my way is the only non-sucker way to use a credit card. Banks don't like people like me, but at least they get a little fee from the retailer every time I use my card. That puts prices up, but it puts prices up whether you have a credit card or not.   So play the buggers at their own game. But don't complain if you fail to play by the rules. You have only yourself to blame!

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16 Jul 15 - 06:31 PM (#3724165)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Steve Shaw

By the way, I get a text message alert seven days before the payment is due. I don't need that reminder, but, as I say, belt and braces...

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16 Jul 15 - 06:41 PM (#3724166)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Steve Shaw

Doubly by the way, in response to Kampervan, who bemoaned the fact that we can't all have smartphones, you really don't need a smartphone to get a text reminder. The cheapest of cheap crude mobiles can receive texts.

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17 Jul 15 - 01:19 AM (#3724203)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,Kampervan

Steve - I didn't 'bemoan the fact that we can't all have smartphones'

I said that we don't all have smartphones.

But if it is possible to set up a text reminder on the old phone/text only phone then that is a suggestion that is worth making.

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17 Jul 15 - 02:42 AM (#3724210)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

Those who urge not paying and not worrying about their credit rating.

Why not just stick a balaclava over your head and rob the bank? It saves you having to lie about your intentions.

I hold no candle for banks and their modus operandi have the morals of an alley cat. But to call them bastards when you are clearly failing to do as agreed and they then invoke something you agreed?

Oh and to assume people who play within the rules must be retired bank managers, directors of companies etc? Kampervan seems to think the vast majority of people are more upwardly mobile than we thought! Albeit mobile as in smartphone.

I once paid a cheque in from a friend I had lent money to and it bounced. Sadly, it bounced on the day my DD from a credit card should have gone out. I got penalties from both the bank and credit card. It was quite a few years ago so I don't recall the amount. But I don't recall thinking their invoking a clause I agreed to was unfair. My situation was, but not their reaction.

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17 Jul 15 - 02:58 AM (#3724214)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,Kampervan

''Oh and to assume people who play within the rules must be retired bank managers, directors of companies etc? Kampervan seems to think the vast majority of people are more upwardly mobile than we thought! Albeit mobile as in smartphone. ''

I never mentioned any of the above!!That was someone else in a totally separate post.

I certainly know that the vast majority is not upwardly mobile.

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17 Jul 15 - 03:02 AM (#3724216)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

As you were. I apologise. It wasn't you.

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17 Jul 15 - 03:08 AM (#3724219)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,Kampervan

Apology accepted without reservation.

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17 Jul 15 - 03:24 AM (#3724223)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A financial survivor

Those who urge not paying and not worrying about their credit rating.

Why not just stick a balaclava over your head and rob the bank? It saves you having to lie about your intentions.

As opposed to the bankers putting on a pinstripe suit and robbing you I suppose. Talk about missing the point!

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17 Jul 15 - 03:37 AM (#3724225)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

The point is that theft is theft.

Not being able to pay when you genuinely intended to is one thing, and banks are obliged to agree terms with you for paying it back as you can. Ultimately, courts can impose settlement plans in such cases.

The idea put above that got my goat is one of the reasons banks have to write down so much debt in the first place and pass on the costs to responsible customers in one form or another.

Why do so many people think their financial irresponsibility is acceptable but think attitudes of others have created the problems in the first place?

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17 Jul 15 - 04:02 AM (#3724232)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A financial Surviver

I agree theft is theft, and exploitation is exploitation, and the financial control plot that is in place is just that-a plot.
You seem to be under the impression that there is still some honour left in the financial institutions, and that they have the moral high ground. Best of luck with that, I expect you will find out the hard way sooner or later.

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17 Jul 15 - 04:06 AM (#3724234)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Richard Bridge

My card in question is not a credit card, but a charge card. It typically draws statements to the 22nd of the month and they arrive by post within a couple of days - and if I give them a D/D it is taken when the bill is sent. Yours may differ but that is what happens with mine. I typically am obliged to pay on the 10th to 14th of the month, but it can be as early as the 6th. If I pay when I have to and not before, I get up to about 3 weeks free credit on a grand to two grand.

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17 Jul 15 - 04:29 AM (#3724241)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

What the OP has told us is that he was charged:
£12 late payment fee as per the Barclaycard ToS
Interest as per the Barclaycard ToS **
An EXTRA £100 which is not mentioned in the Barclaycard ToS

** not mentioned but implied by the word "additional" and would be charged as a matter of course.

If the information is accurate and the £100 is IN ADDITION to the standard interest charge then he has justifiable cause for complaint regardless of any failings of his own.

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17 Jul 15 - 01:40 PM (#3724364)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Mr Red

their first and still the most conceited con was to call it a credit card. It isn't, it is a debt card, a payment card, a worry in case of loss, a convenience, and in the case of Barclaycard - an analogue of 30 GBP cash that can be stolen in one deft lift and used "as" many time before its loss is noticed. Credit card it ain't.

I am sure the conditions are in the small print.

Somewhere.

carefully

spread

around.

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17 Jul 15 - 02:42 PM (#3724371)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A financial survivor

Absolutely correct! It's called irresponsible lending, and not as our guest above would have us believe the fault of irresponsible consumers.
This is why the FSA have introduced BCOBS rules, and why you wont find a copy of the same in Barclays bank, or any other bank.

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17 Jul 15 - 03:52 PM (#3724386)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A Financial survivor

The Banking Code of Practice was abolished in 2009
The Code was replaced by the Banking:Conduct of Business Regulations (BCOB)
BCOB makes it unlawful for your bank to treat you unfairly
BCOB makes it unlawful for your bank to communicate with you in an unfair way
BCOB is legally binding on the banks
You have a right to sue your bank in the County Court if they break these laws
BCOBS applies to retail current account banking.
For credit cards, loans, insurances, you are protected by COBS

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18 Jul 15 - 02:49 AM (#3724469)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

So don't use them then.

Don't buy matches if you have arsonist tendencies. There is such a thing as temptation.

Looking at some of the posts above, many people are quite comfortable with using them and use them to help manage the money they have.

Using them to manage the money you don't have is where the problems start.

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18 Jul 15 - 03:28 AM (#3724477)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,A financial survivor

It sort of goes over your head really doesn't it. Even when the FSA and numerous PPI reclaim solicitors and most of the general public are in flat disagreement with you, it still doesn't sink in.
Here it is slowly for you, and if you could manage joined up thinking it would help.
1. Wages are too low
2. Prices are too high
3. Banks exploit this by forcing you to
a} Have a bank account
b} Use their money to maintain a basic lifestyle {Please note Basic}
4. Once in debt they then add charges to charges and interest to interest
5. This is part of a greater financial system that props up their wealth, for their benefit.
6. You have a choice, submit or fight back.
Not using them is not an option for the majority of people. It's that or be the most morally righteous man who ever had his house repossessed.
Please take a reality pill before you start squealing and post again.

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18 Jul 15 - 04:46 AM (#3724492)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST,JHW

I bought two grand's worth of furniture at a show in Dutham, using my card. Turned out to be a nationwide scam and the stuff never arrived. Barclaycard gave me the two grand back without a quibble.
(An obligation under the credit act)

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18 Jul 15 - 05:38 AM (#3724502)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Backwoodsman

What don't people understand about 'living within your means'?

I have two credit cards, one for GBP transactions, the other for foreign currency purchases. I've set up electronic statements, and text alerts from the card-providers when my statements are available online, and eight days before payment is due.

When I get the 'statement available' text, I go online and print my statements, check them, then go on my online banking and set up payments dated to leave my account in time to arrive with the card-providers by due date.

When I get the 'payment due' text, I check that I remembered to set up the payments (invariably I did).

I pay my cards off in full every month, never missed a payment, never been late, never paid a single penny in interest or overdue/missed payment charges.

It's simple, and it's called 'being organised'.

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18 Jul 15 - 05:54 AM (#3724505)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Rob Naylor

I posted a version of this yesterday, SAW it on the post and then today it's disappeared. Deleted by a mod (but why?) or a victim of a Mudcat glitch? I basically said:

I hold no brief for banks. One screwed me over royally a few years ago when trying to get me to convert an overdraft at low interest to a loan at much higher interest "to help your financial planning". When I suggested to the manager (politely) that the pressure to convert was probably more to enable her to meet her loan sales targets than to "help" me, the bank immediately cancelled my overdraft and called it in. I couldn't pay at the time. They took legal proceedings and despite me providing evidence that I would be able to pay a few weeks after the date of the hearing, refused to give a grace period and ruined my credit record for a time.

However, with regard to Direct Debits, I'm at a loss as to why the fact that the OP's minimum payment increases every month until it spirals so far upwards it's time for the annual serious spending discussion with the wife should prevent him avoiding late payment charges by setting up a DD. He says that he phones to make a payment every month, so presumably pays at least the minimum then, so how is this different to paying by DD? Presumably if the minimum payment doubles, say, over a period of months, he'd be paying this by phone anyway, so why not just set up the Direct Debit and stop worrying about remembering to make a phone call on time?

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18 Jul 15 - 05:54 AM (#3724506)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: GUEST

Thank you Backwoodsman for sharing how brilliant you think you are...

You strike me as being a bit of an arsehole.

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18 Jul 15 - 06:17 AM (#3724508)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Steve Shaw

Well, Guest, that makes two of us because I do exactly the same as Backwoodsman. Credit card companies cost everyone money by making prices go up. Doing what Backwoodsman and I do is simply playing the buggers at their own game. Let's imagine two people turning up at the baggage drop for a Ryanair flight. One has checked that his bag is not overweight and made absolutely sure that his bag was checked in and paid for online. The other forgot to do it and just turned up with four or five extra kilos to boot. He ends up paying fifty or sixty quid extra just to take his shirts and undies to Majorca. I'll give you two guesses: which one is the arsehole? :-)

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18 Jul 15 - 06:17 AM (#3724509)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Backwoodsman

You don't know anything about me, you pillock.
You strike me as being a lot of an arsehole.

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18 Jul 15 - 06:18 AM (#3724510)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Backwoodsman

And I'm not the one who's in the financial shit.

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18 Jul 15 - 06:19 AM (#3724511)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Backwoodsman

Steve, those two were for our shit-for-brains guest, not you!

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18 Jul 15 - 06:32 AM (#3724514)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: Steve Shaw

Quite so! :-)

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18 Jul 15 - 03:11 PM (#3724618)
Subject: RE: Barclaycard - bastards
From: EBarnacle

Most cell phones have what I call calendar capability. You can set the phone to ring a few days before the due date. When you click to shut off the alarm, it will tell you that you have a payment due.

No need to go to the current high tech mode. You can do the same with your computer--at least you can with Windows, I don't know about Mac.

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