Help! What happens if you never signed the direct debit mandate?

SuperTrouper_3

So, I bought a ring about 6 months ago from a high street jewellers, paid a deposit and was supposed to pay the rest in monthly installments by direct debit.

I have to be completely honest and say I actually only realised very recently that I hadn't been paying the direct debit. They only realised about a week ago too and have been leaving me vm messages to go into the shop and sign a new mandate.

Presumably, I don't have any choice in the matter and am obligated to go in and sort it out or they'll try and reclaim the money through a debt collector? I'm just a bit annoyed that they have taken so long to chase me. Any rules on the length of time they can pursue their money, does anyone know?

proactive

well yea surely you gotta go in and sort it because you have the ring and haven't paid for it other than the deposit. there are errors on both sides the shop should have sorted it out but its always a good idea to keep a check on your bank statements and direct debits yourself

NCISROCKS

Six years...pay up!

pcombo

I find it hard to believe someone doesn't notice theres not a direct debt or direct debt payments coming out every month.

No one is that stupid.

proactive

NCISROCKS wrote: »

Six years...pay up!

six months

proactive

pcombo wrote: »

I find it hard to believe someone doesn't notice theres not a direct debt or direct debt payments coming out every month.

No one is that stupid.

i wouldn't call it stupid as such, just that some people just genuinely don't pay attention to their finances as long as things are ticking over and there aren't bailiffs banging on the door.

just like i know people who can't tell you roughly how much a litre of petrol is. some people are just like that.

Badger_Lady

proactive wrote: »

six months

He means they can chase you within six years - that's the limit for a small claim through the courts.

At six months, you've still got 5 1/2 years of debt collecting ahead of you. Time to pay up

proactive

oh right, sorry bout that

arcon5

As above... a debt is statutory barred after 6 years, assuming they haven't actively persued it during this time.

So sign the new mandate and begin making payments, if you refused all that will happen is they will send to a collection agency or cout which will potentially incur fees.

agrinnall

Presumably if they haven't been taking the payments you still have the money that you would have paid out so you can hand it all over as a lump sum - or did you spend it all thinking it was an unexpected bonus?

NCISROCKS

proactive wrote: »

six months

That's wrong.