TalkTalk Direct Debit charges

lonearranger

I am emailing on behalf of a friend in Whitby who does not have internet facilities .

Regarding TalkTalk payments:
TalkTalk have introduced the possibility of paperless statements over the internet and now Direct Debit or paying an additional fee of £3.50.

My friend doesn’t have a computer and is, therefore unable to receive “paperless invoices/statements” Similarly, she does not have a Bank account and so is unable to arrange a Direct Debit. She does, however, pay off her bills ‘on the dot’ with a credit card by phone.

Recent telephone conversations with representative at TalkTalk have so far proved useless and, in fact, have recently been rather rude and threatening. They insist that she will be charged [penalised?] £3.50 per month – is this legal?

DVardysShadow

Yes, it is legal, it would appear. It ain't ethical. She should move to another suplier, there should be no penalty for doing so, because this is a material change to the contract.

macman

I thought TT had been surcharging for paper billing and non-DD payment for years now, same as BT?
Can they not register her credit card and take the monthly payments from that automatically (though I would never personally use this method, as it's impossible to cancel from the card holder's end).
Presumably she pays her credit card bills in cash?

Mark_In_Hampshire

Either

1. Change to the post office, who do not impose these fees

2. If they can debit a card: get a prepaid debit card. 2 days before a bill is due, transfer the monies for the bill on to the card.

That way, when they attempt the debit, if they try early, or for too much money, the payment will simply be declined and you incur no bank charges. No need for the worthless "direct debit guarantee" - if they don't get it right, they don't get paid.

Pick a card which has no charges ongoing, like the Escape one.

TalkTalk

Hi lonearranger,

TalkTalk has always been a direct debit only company so this isn't new, details are contained in the terms and conditions and you do have to have a bank account when you sign up as your account can only be created with direct debit details (as far as I am aware the only exception would be if you migrated to talktalk from tele2 a few years ago), if the customer then decides to cancel the direct debit there is a charge to cover additional administration costs

There is a charge for paper bills to cover the additional costs involved.

Chris

LeeSouthEast

Why not just get a bank account? They're free.

Buzby

LeeSouthEast wrote: »

Why not just get a bank account? They're free.

Wanna bet?

It just opens a whole new door of problems. Like when TT take more than they should and the account goes overdrawn. Not what I call 'free'.

LeeSouthEast

Been with TalkTalk for years. Never had any billing issues. But yes, I take your point.