Hi,
I got my £120 in charges back from cahoot just by getting my statements then threatening them - all by email! Thanks to everyone on this site who have given me the nuts to actually threaten the banks and have the knowledge to a carry out those threats.
Here's a copy of the email I sent.
Hello, Thank you for sending me my details. I have decided to reclaim the unlawful and disproportional costs back from yourselves. I intend to take this matter to court if need be. I would firstly like to give you opportunity to settle - I'll settle for a cheque for £100 provided it is received before 9/12/06. The charges that I will successfully pursue from you amount to £120 plus interest
. I would like to think that you have the common sense to pay-up now rather than fight a battle that you know you will lose, incurring huge legal costs to yourselves in the process. If on the other hand you enjoy wasting money on your expensive (and let's face it, helpless) legal team then fine - MCoL here we come. Kindest Regards, debully Here's the (standard) email they replied: [FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Dear Mr. debully,
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']I am writing to you in reply to your letter dated 5th December 2006. I have taken ownership of your case in order to provide a response to the issues raised in your letter.[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']It is well known that banks make charges and cahoot's charges are in line with those of other banks. The
terms and conditions of the account and the charges that apply are clear and fair and were provided to you at the time you opened it. You freely agreed to the
terms and conditions and the charges when you opened the account. You were not under any obligation to do so and could have gone to another bank if you did not agree to the charges. Equally, you are free to move your account to another bank at any time if you do not agree with the charges.[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']In any event, we do not agree that the charges are disproportionate. The charges are reasonable and proportionate to the administrative costs incurred by cahoot.[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Having reviewed the history of your account I can see that in general your account has been well managed and the charges detailed in your letter represent uncharacteristic breaches of our
terms and conditions. Given this and the fact that you have been a customer for three years I am willing to consider a full refund as a gesture of goodwill.[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']As a protracted discussion is in neither parties' interest I have arranged for a cheque to be posted to you as requested. I hope that this resolution is to your satisfaction, should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me again.[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Kind regards[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Andrew Starling[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Service Relationship Manager, cahoot[/font]
[/font]
They've decided to give me it all back and not the settlement I would accept for prompt payment.
Again thanks all,
debully
debully v Cahoot - easy! easy! easy! 
