They cancelled my Direct Debit (and I didn't know) but supplied goods for a year.....

Marty1956

I pay for my contact lenses by DD and they are posted to me. A year ago the DD was cancelled (not by me, the Bank have confirmed this) and I didn't notice that it had stopped. This month my lenses didn't arrive.

When I contacted the opticians they explained the position, and are looking for me to pay all of the 'arrears' before they will supply more lenses.

As it wasn't my error, do I have to pay ? If I do have to pay, can I request instalments over a longer period as I will now have twice as much to pay each month ?

4743hudsonj

Marty1956 wrote: »

I pay for my contact lenses by DD and they are posted to me. A year ago the DD was cancelled (not by me, the Bank have confirmed this) and I didn't notice that it had stopped. This month my lenses didn't arrive.

When I contacted the opticians they explained the position, and are looking for me to pay all of the 'arrears' before they will supply more lenses.

As it wasn't my error, do I have to pay ? If I do have to pay, can I request instalments over a longer period as I will now have twice as much to pay each month ?

Yes you do have to pay. But yes the should* allow you to pay in instalments.

* not sure what you can do if they refuse.

wealdroam

So who did cancel the direct debit?
Was it the bank?
Was it the lens supplier?
Was it 'someone else'?

The answer will help you decide who should help you with the outstanding balance.

4743hudsonj

wealdroam wrote: »

So who did cancel the direct debit?
Was it the bank?
Was it the lens supplier?
Was it 'someone else'?

The answer will help you decide who should help you with the outstanding balance.

This is irrelevant is it not? the OP has had a service/goods and not paid for it (reason is irrelevant). Nobody needs to help with the balance.

gordikin

Of course you have to pay!

wealdroam

4743hudsonj wrote: »

This is irrelevant is it not? the OP has had a service/goods and not paid for it (reason is irrelevant). Nobody needs to help with the balance.

Yes of course they have to pay.

In your post earlier, you said...

4743hudsonj wrote: »

Yes you do have to pay. But yes the should* allow you to pay in instalments.

* not sure what you can do if they refuse.

I was just trying to build on that by suggesting that if the bank had made a mistake then they might help with some installment plan.
Similarly, maybe the lens people would help with a plan if it was their fault.

Sorry I didn't write all that the first time. :beer:
And as you say... nobody needs to help.

4743hudsonj

sorry jumped the gun a bit there, my bad:) Wrongly assumed you were going down the avenue of not paying as its not their error:beer:

neilmcl

I was under the impression that once a DD had been set up only the account holder or the bank itself could cancel it. Either way the OP has had a year of free contact lenses which he needs to pay for. Get in contact again with the opticians, apologise for the mixup and see if they can arrange some sort of payment plan for the arrears.

Laz123

You didn't notice on your statements for a year!

Anyway, I'd count my blessings that you got free lens for a year. Now go somewhere else for them.

Amistoso_2

Laz123 wrote: »

You didn't notice on your statements for a year!

Anyway, I'd count my blessings that you got free lens for a year. Now go somewhere else for them.

Thet's a bit out of order!!! encouraging someone to rip someone else off!!

this is going to sound a bit off but my theory is...
OP cancelled the DD (as only he or the bank on his instruction could cancel) and then realised he was still being sent his lenses and thought great free stuff!!!
has now been caught out and is looking for ways to wrigle out of his responsibilities.
If he can't afford to pay double to pay off the arears do you honestly think he wouldn't have noticed that the payments wern't coming out of the bank every month?
No, neither do I...

williham

The company that started the direct debit can cancel it.
For example when you cancel with tv licensing they stop your direct debit, but they do say "if the payment is within 5 days then you need to cancel it yourself" so it takes a bit longer for them to cancel it, but they certainly can do it.