Egg - do i have rights

berri_2

For the past 3 weeks I asked Egg to change my direct debit date for later on in the month as I wouldn't have enough funds, they didn't and tried to take the money out of my account which bounced as I didn't have enough funds and now they are charging £16 for late payment.

AAAAGGGGGH! Don't these people say if you need help let us know in advance if you can't pay, I didn't say I couldn't pay I just wanted to change the damn date. What do I do now as that will go on my credit history won't it.

Any advice?

lpp1980

What you actually need Egg to do is change your statement date, the direct debit is just how the payment is processed. Egg always takes a direct debit payment on the due date of the account, so try and get the statement date changed if its possible. I'm not sure if Egg do this, some cards can, some won't.

If you've agreed to a direct debit, its quite clear in their T&E that you must have the necessary funds in your account when payment is needed. Applies to all direct debit agreements. Why not change your direct debit to min payment instead of full payment? Then pay what you can afford manually through bill payment?

The £16.00 would be a failed direct debit charge, a late fee would only be £12.00. If it's a first occasion, they may waiver the charge if you ask them nicely, but its at their discretion. It won't go on your credit record just yet, but you must atleast make a min payment ASAP.

dazza.mk

lpp1980 wrote: »

The £16.00 would be a failed direct debit charge, a late fee would only be £12.00. If it's a first occasion, they may waiver the charge if you ask them nicely, but its at their discretion. It won't go on your credit record just yet, but you must atleast make a min payment ASAP.

The £16 is probably a late fee, Egg argued that there business model was slightly different than the norm and the OFT agreed that they could set higher than the £12.

http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2006/68-06#note4

(note 4)

berri_2

Does this mean I cannot do anything about this?

Fonz_2

It's your responsibility to maintain payments until such a time when Egg have confirmed any changes.

lpp1980

dazza.mk wrote: »

The £16 is probably a late fee, Egg argued that there business model was slightly different than the norm and the OFT agreed that they could set higher than the £12.

(note 4)

You may be right actually, I know Barclaycard and others charge £12.00. Nationwide used to charge you £20.00 at one stage (ouch).