Match.com

leereni

Hi everyone, just woke up this morning and checked my bank statement online.

I joined match.com about 6 months ago for a special offer of £70. They have automatically charged me again another £70. I know what you're probably thinking now, I've forgotten to cancel the renewal. Well I actually went further than that and deleted my account. Is this not better than cancelling the auto renewal????

Any ideas how I can get my money back. What laws will protect me. Surely there is a fairness issue.

Called them and actually someone was there which surprised me, however I'm sure it's only for technical issues as he told me to ring back tomorrow between 9-5.

Any response welcome.

halibut2209

deleting your account is not the same as cancelling a renewal. I think you have a fight on your hands

leereni

Yes but if I have deleted my account how can I log in and cancel the renewal?

halibut2209

To be blunt, that's not match.com's problem. From their website

"Subscriptions paid by bank card, credit card or PayPal are automatically extended at the end of your initial subscription period.

You can view information about your current subscription including the date of the next scheduled payment (if automatic renewal is active) on the ‘My subscription’ tab of your ‘My account’ page. You can cancel the automatic renewal of your subscription by following the instructions given on the ‘My Subscription’ tab of your ‘My account’ page, which can be reached via the link displayed in the menu bar at the top of any page when you are logged into the site.
Notification of your wish to cancel must be made no later than 48 hours before your next subscription payment is due.

To cancel the auto-renew by telephone, call us on 0800 368 58 58. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are free from UK landlines, call costs from mobiles or other locations may vary."

neilmcl

OP, the only one at fault here i you for not followin the correct procedure. I suggest you call the number above but I don't think you've got much of a leg to stand on. All you can hope to do is get them to reinstate the account so you can at least make use of it over the next 6 months.

pendulum

It says you can cancel the auto renewal by telephone, it doesn't say you have to do it by phone. I think that by going through the account cancellation procedure, that should count as reasonable notice of your intent to cancel and not auto-renew. Let us know how you get on when you ring them, but I'd expect you to be refunded, seeing as these guys aren't supposed to be a scam outfit.

leereni

thanks i'll keep you up to date

halibut2209

Best of luck!

Don't go there spouting legal jargon, as legally they are not in the wrong. Best bet is to appeal to their sense of customer service and although the service wasn't right for you, you have lots of single friends

leereni

Thanks, hopefully will be ok and they will give me something back. Really appreciate all the help from money saving expert. Been really good to know over the years there are people out with good reason.

leereni

Just called match.com. Interestingly the initial call centre seemed to be in a foreign country, however when I stated I was unhappy and wanted a refund they transferred me to a 'supervisor'. I was put through to a young girl in london whom although she didn't state it I'm sure she understood the auto-renewal was a ripoff.

Anyway, as mentioned, they are refusing to refund me and stated I should have called them in order to cancel. I have several issues with this policy. Firstly, were is the proof for the customer the service has been cancelled. Also, surely deleting an account is some sort of implication of cancellation. I know you are saying there terms and conditions are bullet proof, however surely the unfair terms and conditions rules would assist. Why would anyone want to pay for a service which they have implicitly cancelled. I would understand if there was an administration fee for the refund. Anyway I have contacted consumer direct, bbc watchdog and will be speaking to a solicitor and local MP. It appears from doing several searches there have been literally thousands of people being scammed in this way. It's nothing more than just a simple scam.

halibut2209

omcornwall wrote: »

Firstly, were is the proof for the customer the service has been cancelled.

There is no proof because you didn't cancel

Also, surely deleting an account is some sort of implication of cancellation.

No it isn't

Anyway I have contacted consumer direct, bbc watchdog and will be speaking to a solicitor and local MP.

Why?

It appears from doing several searches there have been literally thousands of people being scammed in this way. It's nothing more than just a simple scam.

I'd choose your words more carefully. It is most certainly not a scam