Setanta direct debit paid

RedBern

My Setanta DD was taken on 23rd June - the day they announced they were closing - I checked online bank last night and Setanta had taken 2 x DD on 23rd. Had to argue with Barclays to get one DD repaid immediately (as they were only entitled to take 1 x payment) - but the advisor kept saying I'd have to wait for the administrators to contact me regarding any repayment for the remaining DD.

I didn't think we paid by DD - so my fault for not cancelling - but thought the DD guarantee would cover this - my argument with the bank was that I've paid for something I'm not going to get so should be able to get me DD back without question? Are Barclays right to say the DD Guarantee doesn't cover this situation?

opinions4u

The DD guarnatee doesn't cover businesses going in to administration. Indeed, a business can continue to trade when in administration.

You will be a creditor somewhere near the back of the queue and I doubt you will see your money again.

It's not the bank's fault.

apt

I also doubt you'll get your money back, but it appears ESPN have taken over Setanta's freeview slot and are broadcasting free to ex-Setanta subscribers for the time being. So you will get some sport for your money.

Paul_Herring

but thought the DD guarantee would cover this

Unfortunately the DD Guarantee isn't like Section 75 where you're covered for loss of goods/services.

The DD guarantee only covers you for DD's that are taken without your agreement (as the 2nd DD that you recovered was.)

Extant

The direct debit guarantee says that:

• If there is a change in the amount to be paid or the payment date, the person receiving the payment (the originator) must notify the customer in advance.
• If the originator or the bank/building society makes an error, the customer is guaranteed a full and immediate refund of the amount paid.
• Customers can cancel a direct debit at any time by writing to their bank or building society.

Unfortunately for you, it doesn't cover businesses going in to administration/you not receiving your service (nor is this covered under "making an error").

Although the bank could process a claim under the indemnity, it would just be returned as an invalid claim and you would just be debited again - so there's really no point in us doing it at all.

You were entitled to the first repayment, but not the second - as the first was obvious error. If anything, you should cancel the direct debit and wait to be contacted, if you are at all.

funkymonkey

i had a similar experience with an electricity company that went bust a few years back.

they wouldnt refund my DD but then about three weeks later the money had been paid back into my account.

not sure if you will be as lucky but fingers crossed for you

KILL_BILL

you should have cancelled the direct debit immediately with the bank

youhave paid in advance for the subscription of which you are not getting any sultana tv

Extant

KILL_BILL wrote: »

not getting any sultana tv

This sounds like the most boring TV channel ever.

scrounger_2

Glad i got out when i did, some friends were saying they still had there DD reinstated after they hd cancelled them.

Paul_Herring

scrounger wrote: »

Glad i got out when i did, some friends were saying they still had there DD reinstated after they hd cancelled them.

Those can be refunded under the DD guarantee, since they haven't been authorised.