not really asking for advice, but

[baratron]

Argh. I forgot to pay my credit card bill this month. Kinda unsurprising that I've had other things on my mind, but... The due date is Tuesday, 6th. I just set up a payment from my online banking, from the same bank where the credit card is, but even then it's not guaranteed to go through before Wednesday. Is it worth me ringing the bank to tell them about my health woes? It's the Co-Op, so they are not evil, and I usually pay my bill way before the due date (usually as soon as I receive it).

I can't believe I'm posting this to livejournal, but... I just don't want to have to pay a £20 "fine" over a £20 payment. And yes, I can afford £20 - it's just the principle of the thing. Punish me for deliberate non-payment or for being flaky, either I could accept, but I don't like being punished for being ill enough that I haven't thought about finances in weeks. I probably have to go to the doctor again tomorrow, because of some random oddities that might be indicative of something up with my liver. Gah.

Comments

[geminigirl]

It never hurts to give a call and ask. I had an issue recently where I got a new card, with a transferred balance, and never got a bill for it. I finally got around to calling to activate the card, and was told I had an overdue balance. I was surprised to say the least, seeing as I'd not gotten a bill. With moving and everything, this was not surprising to anyone, and they were very kind about waiving the late fee that had been added to my account.

Call. The worst they can say is "sorry we can't help you."

[mhw.livejournal.com]

Yup. Exactly.

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

Yes. Call them. Say, I've had other things on my mind and I was a flake. I've just sent an online payment but I'm not sure it will clear your system by the due date. If it's a bit late can you give me a waiver on the late fee?

In the US, at least, most credit card companies will do you the favor at least once, especially if you 1) notify them as soon as possible and 2)let them know the payment is on the way and 3) don't have a habit of late payments.

Good luck!

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

Oops. Skimmed too fast. You're saying you weren't a flake. So of course you wouldn't tell them you were. Just tell that you've been preoccupied with some health issues.

Glad to hear you'll be seeing the doctor soon (though sorry you're having the symptoms that make that a wise thing to do.)

[jinian.livejournal.com]

I'm with the other commenters: Explain it to the company, and I bet they'll spot you the fee this time. If not, you have experienced annoyance, but probably not more than you'll have if you don't call.

[lovingboth]

They'll be a quick clearing method of payment: cash at a branch of the bank?

And set up a direct debit for the minimum payment, if necessary.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

> And set up a direct debit for the minimum payment, if necessary.

That is what I was going to suggest. The same thing has happened to me.


It might be worth ringing them to point out that although the payment hasnt cleared - it is going through the system.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_nicolai_/]

Yeah. Also saying "oops, I forgot to pay you because I've been ill, sorry about that - could I please set up a direct debit for the minimum amount so that it doesn't happen again?" ought to work out OK.
If it doesn't, I think they're demonstrating you shouldn't give them your business.

[baratron.livejournal.com]

The problem is, my personal account is with NatWest and my credit card & joint account are with the Co-Op. I cling to the naive opinion that only paying my credit card bill in cash means that NatWest don't know where else I bank. This is probably untrue, but it leaves me very unwilling to set up a direct debit from my NatWest account. I can't set one up from the joint account because it's the joint account, intended to pay for joint purchases (like the house). I just used that account to pay a personal bill yesterday because it was an emergency.

The reason why my personal account is with NatWest even though they are evil is that in Kingston, there is a branch of NatWest that is open the same hours that the shopping centre is open - something like 9am to 6pm weekdays, 9am to 8pm on Thursdays, 9am to 6 or 7pm on Saturdays, 11am to 5pm Sundays. I often have to pay money in at the weekend, and I can't be sure of getting to the bank on a Saturday before 12 or 1pm. It's extremely convenient for me to be able to pay money in on a Saturday or Sunday - and even more convenient that I can speak directly to a customer service person. Thus convenience wins over ethics, and I am a hypocrite. Never mind.

[lovingboth]

my personal account is with NatWest and my credit card & joint account are with the Co-Op.

That's not a problem. I have a credit card from a different bank, and I bet most of the rest of your FL do too.

They almost certainly already do know: it'll be in your credit file.

And why would they treat you badly as a result?? "Oh, she's proved she would go somewhere else - let's treat her badly!" Erm, no, I don't think so.

What banks tend to do is offer the 'disloyal' better deals! Mobile phone companies are the same, as I think you've experienced.

Oh, my personal account is with NatWest too, partly because it was the branch Harrow used (= same day clearance of housing benefit cheques) and now I stick with them because I do like the opening hours, UK call centres, being able to ring the branch etc etc that their ads go on about.

Near work, they're by far the best of the local branches: when someone said the Lloyds was the worst in London, I believed them and the Barclays is also a joke.

But my credit cards have always been with someone else.

[a-musing-amazon.livejournal.com]

We've been caught by doing this in the past too. Not much help this time but if you do have the funds then as rather than just setting up a DD for the minimum set up one for the full amount due - that way you avoid paying the interest - which can easily be as much as any additional non-payment penalty.

Credit Cards are often a good way of paying for things, but as the chap who runs Barclays said, not a sensible way of borrowing money.

[nitoda]

When this has happened to us they have simply charged the interest on the following month's bill. Annoying, but when I queried it, they couldn't help. It might be worth trying, at least, though I'd not *expect* sympathy. Hope you are luckier than I was!!! As M says, we've now set up a direct debit to clear the balance each month (but then we are disciplined (and fortunate) types who rarely spend, even on credit, what we haven't actually got in the bank; this method is not recommended for people who are less sure of having the funds to clear the balance as going over your overdraft by direct debit is likely to be just as big a problem!)

[boxofdelights]

It's worth asking. I missed a payment once because I spaced out; I called, and they waived the late fee because a) I had sent the full payment and b) I had a long history of never being late. I hope your credit company is as kind to you, especially since you had a good reason for forgetting!

[gerwinium.livejournal.com]

I don't think you've got much of a chance, they're likely to charge it next month.

Incidentally most banks don't issue their own credit cards. They're likely to be managed by one of 6 companies in the UK, all of whom _are_ evil. They basically make money out of people's weaknesses (either forgetting to pay off or leaving balances). Best plan is to set up a direct debit for at least the minimum payment so you never pay late fees. Most companies will do this eventhough they don't always actively advertise it for the above reasons.