RAC Problems - copied from motoring board

ukbadger_2

Hi All,

Wondered if anyone had any advice about this ....

RAC renewal was due on the 22nd of April for £97.50 - had looked about for a better deal so I cancelled the DD from my bank to RAC , unfortunately they took the £97.50 from a credit card I had used to pay last year.

I didn;t realise this until I got my credit card statement yesterday so today I have called to cancel with RAC - thought they make take a full month and refund rest but instead they are refusing to refund anything saying instead that they will place a credit on my account which I can use within 3 years.

To be honest I am really p'd off with myself for not cancelling the credit card payment - it does says on the renewal that it will be collected from a credit card but I have missed it.

Anyone succesfully cancelled their policy and got their money back or am I resigned to now letting the policy run for the full year at £97.50 ?

Any feedback would be fab - thanks !

Hx

Broken_hearted

ask the credit card company to claim it back as you didn't athorise (SP) it.

GreyPilgrim

Bit cheeky...isn't that like asking for a refund at a shop and instead of being given cash, they give you vouchers WHICH YOU CAN ONLY SPEND AT THAT SHOP!

lynzpower

talk to trading standards, Im fairly sure they cant get away with this as its illegal. Bit shaky on my facts here, but if youve cancelled and they have taken an erroneous payment they have to give it to you back, fact.

Bossyboots

It sounds as though they have taken this payment on the basis of a "Continuous Payment Authority", a subject that pops up regularly on this board. Basically, once you authorise something like this with your credit or debit card they can simply take the payments year on year. It is not illegal and many people get caught out because they do not realise that what they are actually authorising.

calleyw

Broken_hearted wrote:

ask the credit card company to claim it back as you didn't athorise (SP) it.

I agree with broken hearted. Phone the RAC and tell they you are filing a dispute with your credit card company.

Then phone the credit card company and tell them what has happened.

One reason why I don't like using credit cards for things like that. I assume it was set up as a continous payment. Which means they will take the money year after year.


Yours


Calley

Bossyboots

What can the credit card company do though. I am trying to find the old threads on this but I am sure the attitude has been that it is a CPA so tough.

Have a look at this one http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=154708&. I haven't re-read it so I don't know if it helps.

lisyloo

ask the credit card company to claim it back as you didn't athorise (SP) it.

Sorry but I disagree.
If you have signed a continuous authority then you DID authorise it.

It might still be worth contacting the credit card company to see if they can help.

but if youve cancelled and they have taken an erroneous payment they have to give it to you back

As far as I can see the orignial poster cancelled the direct debit.
This is not the same as cancelling the contract they had with the RAC.
If they signed up to continous authority (as looks the case) and hadn't cancelled with the RAC then it was not an erroneous payment.

To be honest I don't think the RAC are even obliged to let you have the "credit", but still worth trying the credit card company and maybe trading standards.

calleyw

Very interesting. Did not know that you could not file a dispute for CPA.

Just glad that I don't do them. At least I have some sense not a lot but some.:rotfl:

Oh dear so looks like it is case of like it or lump.


Yours


CAlley

hjb123

Speak to your credit card company about it and see if they will do a charge back - explain the whole situation to them and see what they say - you wont get if you dont try!

ukbadger_2

Thanks - will speak to credit card people tomorrow and see what they say

Cheers for all the replies