STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
I READ in Money Mail last week that investment services such as Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell cap their platform fees. But I’ve been a customer of both, and have always had to pay more than the maximum amounts stated.
S. O., by email. The figures we showed with our ‘Make sure fees don’t shrink your profits’ story were the platform charges levied on shares. Platforms have similar percentage fees on fund holdings. This charge is not capped, but is often reduced for those with larger portfolios. I’VE HAD service issues with my BT landline for months, yet I’m still being chased for payment. I am 81, in ill health and no longer want to be a BT customer.
S. E. Kent. BT says it was unaware of the issues you were having until it received your letter in August. It adds that someone tried to call you, but there was no answer. Your contract is now cancelled and your final bill of £15.10 has been wiped. BA GAVE me vouchers when my flights were cancelled during lockdown, but I was unable to use them in its Black Friday sale and therefore missed out on a 20 pc discount. This is unacceptable.
T. B., Cleethorpes. Customers can absolutely benefit from special offers when paying with vouchers. The problem was that you had tried to cancel flights you had re-booked for september 2021 so you could re-buy them in the sale. BA’s flexible booking policy, which allows you to change travel dates for free, only covers flights departing before August 31. I HAVE had no dealings with Halifax for about 30 years. Then, out of the blue in March, I started receiving letters from the bank about an account I do not recognise. I have tried on numerous occasions to resolve the issue, with no joy.
C. B., Gravesend. The account belongs to you, but it was dormant because you have not used it for so long. halifax is still required to send you updates, such as when interest rates or its terms and conditions change. The bank has apologised for not resolving the issue sooner, closed the account and paid you £50 as a gesture of goodwill.