Help with getting refund from dating website

minipixie

Hi, i'm really hoping someone can advise me on what to do.

Last week I signed up for a £1 weeks trial on a well known dating website. I was well aware that there would be an automatic renewal at the end of the trial so once I had "tried" it and decided that it wasn't suitable for me I cancelled my subscription through the website, but didn't remove my profile completely. After this I received a confirmation email that my subscription had been cancelled and I could continue to use it until my current subscription was completed.

Almost a week later I logged on to show a friend what it was like (rubbish btw) and noticed I was still able to see emails etc which shouldn't be possible without a subscription. I checked my account status which told me I had renewed my subscription for a further 3 months at a cost of £74!!! I checked my credit card and yes it had been debited.

I emailed the company straight away and then, after getting a standard response, called them. As its the weekend I spoke to someone who was unable to help me at all and actually suggested that the only way to cancel is over the phone (which I thought was very strange seeing there are controls to do this online) and was told to call back on Monday. I've checked out their terms and conditions and I feel I'm entitled to a refund:

ARTICLE 9. RIGHT TO CANCEL UNDER DISTANCE SELLING REGULATIONS
9.1 This section applies to you only if you are a "consumer" as defined in the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 resident within the EU you may cancel your order for the Services by giving us written notice in accordance with the regulations within seven working days of placing your order. Within 30 days of your notice we will provide a refund. However, this right of cancellation does not apply once you have started to use the relevant Services in which case you agree to performance of the contract starting before the usual cancellation period has expired.

What worries me is the 7 working days - my "renewal" was on the 27th which doesn't leave me much time to get a letter to them. Do I email a response or send something by recorded delivery?

I don't have any issue with the company (yet!) I just want my money back, as I'm really upset I've paid for something I'm not going to use, but I'm worried that I'm going to be fobbed off when I contact the call centre again on Monday.

Thanks!