Duff info from MSE weekly email cost me £13

JohalaReewi

Geoggy wrote: »

Lo and behold they take my first DD 22nd June (of £12.99 - should have been £3.33 as that's the discount they offerred me not to cancel), they then went bust the next day.

You can claim a full and immediate refund from your BANK under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme.

This is because you were told the DD would be for £3.33 but they took £12.99. The Guarantee says that if the supplier takes too much or takes it early, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund from your bank.

Lucky for you Sentanta made an error so you can claim a full refund. Just contact your bank / branch and say that the DD is wrong and Setanta took too much (they should have taken £3.33) so you would like a FULL and IMMEDIATE refund under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme.

The bank staff may not know what the DD Guarantee Scheme is and try to fob you off with an Indemity claim or ask you to claim direct from Setanta. This is not the same thing and you could be made to wait for a refund. You want a refund under the DD Guarantee Scheme. If you get problems ask to speak to someone who knows about the Guarantee scheme.

Good luck.
http://www.bacs.co.uk/bacs/businesses/directdebit/collecting/pages/customersrights.aspx

£$&*"($£&(

BFG wrote: »

This is possibly because you don't understand direct debits??????

They are much more convenient than other options.

There is a DD guarantee as well, so no issues with errors.

As an example - I have a DD set-up to take the full amount on my credit cards every month; this way I never forget 'to send the cheque' or 'be too busy to sort it out' or 'was away on hols' - so I never pay any interest.

Similarly I don't have to write 15 cheques every month, and post them.

I'm puzzled as to how anyone could think that DDs were in some way the work of the devil or the start of a slippery slope to complete financial melt-down....lol

Cheques and the post aren't the only alternative to Direct Debits. I have a couple of Direct Debits when I know how much it will be every months. Anything that's variable is paid using internet banking. This means the electric company didn't take £350 based on the non existent meter reading claimed on the bill but were paid the £140 I actually owed. I admit I have to remember to pay before the deadline but I much prefer that option.

advent1122

Dave101t wrote: »

i dont have a single direct debit, never have, never will. you loosen your grip on your finances and it all spiralls

I have paid everthing with direct debit since I can remember.
It has not loosened a grip on my finances, nor has anything spiralled (not too sure what that means)

I know exactly how much is going out each month and what is left is mine for goodies.
It is called budgeting and means I am never late paying a bill.

The electric company will not take £350. It is set to pay a fixed amount each month and only increase when they give you notice. Actually, I am in credit with my leccie and gas.