MSE News: Tastecard 'misleading' restaurant vouchers ad banned by ASA

SGE1

russell07 wrote: »

I was slightly concerned today with the receipt of an email thanking me for my tastecard "order" and that my card was in the post.

Strange... I didn't order that...

Anyway I checked the website and realised I'd been suckered into allowing TasteCard to take money without even telling me. The main surprise is how I've actually been caught out with one of these auto-renewal scams - I'm usually so careful and would never sign up to such a scheme usually.

Anyway, I noticed in the terms that they should have sent me a 3 week reminder prior to the renewal notice allowing me time to cancel the auto-renewal if I didn't want it. Phew I thought - I definitely never got that so I should be able to cancel no problem - If they've not kept their side of the bargain then surely that's them in the wrong and I have a valid claim to a refund...

So after a call to their helpdesk I got the refund - no questions asked.

OK I'm living in a dream world.

The response was - The "system" says we send the reminder email on the 25th June at 10am. Therefore you did get it and therefore you had time to cancel.

I got no such email. And I always check my Gmail spam folder (mainly for a giggle at the supidity of the emails in there). Definately never ever got the reminder.

Then it dawned on me - why would they send this reminder? That would only reduce their income stream. Just say we sent it then it's down to the customer to prove it. We're in the clear. So I'm (quite rightly IMHO) rather annoyed right now.

Rant over.

So my questions are:
- With the direct debit guarantee we are obliged to be informed of certain things. Why doesn't a similar requirement exist for continuous authority which IMHO are inherently more dangerous for the customer since the amount is effecetivly unlimited, the burden of proof lies on the consumer, and it can be linked to a credit card (not just bank accounts) potentially leading to significant personal debt accumulating without even knowing about it.
- How can tastecard so blatantly not fulfil the terms and conditions it agrees to and then expect you to do so?
- Soes MSE continue to support this "company" and if so on what basis? Surely this is a recipe for disaster rather than a "money saving" scheme. I'm totally serious - I am an accountant, and consider myself a very savvy shopper and I was caught out. I cant be the only one.

This has just happened to me today. Same email - "thanks for your order". I've emailed back saying "what order?"

No prior email.

I'm certainly not going to let this one go.