Insane NSF fees for unemployed student?

Question

Okay before I start I do realize this is all my fault but I was just wondering if I could get any NSF fees back from the bank.

I got a membership at the gym that charged me bi-weekly, and at the time I was employed so everything was great. I quit my job and 6 months later thats when things started going downhill. I had a negative balance in my account and they started charging me 40$ NSF fees everytime the gym withdrew money from my account, it got to the point where someow the gym would charge me every three days, and because of the overdraft the bank would charge me 42.50 every three days also it got extremely overwhelming. At one point I managed to save up all my money and deposit it all so I was good for a while but then it went back downhill and I've been trying really hard to pay it off. I plan on talking to the bank manager but I don't know how to explain it to them.

I've paid the gym 560 and have 50 left to pay before my contract ends but I've paid the bank 810 in NSF fees:(

Answer 1

What you should have done is instruct your bank to not accept the automatic widthdrawl from the Gym once you relized that there would be a shortage.

As I understand it your gym was getting an NSF charge from your bank and rather than talk to you about it would just try  to process the payment 3 days later.  Check your GYM contract on what they are intitled to do in the event of a NSF payment.  Most contracts state the date which the payment will be processed, they DO NOT have a provision to re-process the payments on a later date if/when a NSF occurs.

If anyone should be giving you back $$, it should be the GYM.  After one payment comes back "NSF" why would they process the fee again without talking to you.

With your Bank you could attempt to talk to the manager and explain that it was the GYM who in error kept processing the same payment during the month.  You may get some charges back, but you do need to pay at kleast on charge/month if you really did not have the funds.

BTW $40.00 NSF fee is robbery.  Should not be more than 20-25

Answer 2

They are not "mandatory" in the sense that yes, the bank makes some money off them, and of course, as a good service they are always going to be willing to help. . .However, keep in mind they are "mandatory" in the sense that these are not just random fees your bank makes up and charges you. The bank themselves are charged fees for items that bounce, as well as time spent to review the items, and send out files.  . .So, sure they make profit, but it's not just a scam by any means. . .If your account is frequently negative, they will be less likely to help. . .However, if you find your statements, and add up the amount of fees you paid, they may be willing to help with a portion. . . .Sadly, I don't think they will take into consideration your employment status, etc. . . . .They also may want you to sign up for a savings or overdraft program in return for the waiver of fees. . . .Putting something in writing calmly, and politely is the best bet. . . .Just try.

Answer 3

I realize this might be a little to little, a little too late, but why didn't you close out the account if the gym wouldn't take you off auto debit?  Then you could have negotiated with the gym to take payments.

I would go into the bank, speak with the bank manager and see if you could get him/her to refund any of the fees.  If that doesn't work, maybe you could contact the corporate offices after authoring an email describing your experience, which you would email to any email address you could get your hands on.  Something like:  WARNING  ABC Bank charged me $42.50 in NSF charges - Bank at your own risk.  And then put this story in the email.  The threat of bad publicity, might be worth more than these rediculouse charges.

Good luck.