Refund on Subscriptions Question

JazzySheep

Hello

My parents bought a one month subscription to a "money saving service" for £1 but found there was nothing they wanted as it was only for large purchases they cannot afford. To be honest the savings weren't much cop either and a quick shop around found much cheaper prices for many products.

Unfortunately they didn't stop the direct debit in time, they rang to cancel on the day it was due out and now they are down the best part of £100. This has put them well over their overdraft and neither the bank or the company will help.

I know they should have checked their days but is there any way they can now try and reclaim some or all of the money that's been taken out? They really cannot use the service so it's been a very expensive mistake with the company subscription and the bank charges on top and cheques now being bounced because of it. All they have is a state pension.

Personally I'd make a fuss but they feel it's all their fault and deserve it. Is this a lost cause or is there something ... anything we can do?

Thanks for reading!

NotQuiteNorbert

As someone with no expertise here, I don't think they can expect to reclaim anything. It was their responsibility to have their dates right and to have the Direct Debit cancelled in plenty of time. It's not the companys fault that they were late, and it's not the companys problem that they can't use the service.

As you rightly say, it's been an expensive mistake for them to make, and it is regrettable that there have been knock on effects from it, but sadly I think they'll have to just put it down to experience and try to move on.

tonyhamm

Take the company to small claims court for not delivering on its contracted promises?
The the terms of the original contract is the thing to look at, not the mistaken payment.
You indicate that it promised money savings as a service which where not real or reasonable in delivery, certainly not for £100pm.
I would contact them by recorded delivery asking for a refund on this basis, and mention that you would persue them in small claims court for non delivery of the contract terms.

JazzySheep

Thank you both, I really appreciate it and so do my parents. We've had a look at the terms and it could be we have a case after all!