M&S Direct Debit Question

cats2012

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been asked before, I couldn't find a thread. I've looked at all M&S Money FAQs etc and tried asking an advisor and can't get a confirmation either!

I've had an M&S credit card for a while now and clear my balance by direct debit every month, however I've noticed two weirdnesses in how they take the payment that I've never had on other cards.

1. If you make a payment before the DD date that is greater than DD amount they won't take the DD at all, but do not tell you this. This was relevant when I carried a balance for a couple of months and DD was only for min pay

2. If you make a payment before the DD date this is taken off the DD amount. e.g my DD this month should have been £300, but I paid £150 last week so the DD has only taken £150.

The second one is a pain for me as I often have to use my card for work expenses, and then like to pay these off as soon as I am reimbursed. So the £150 I paid last week was to pay off £150 of expenses which would have been on next months statement, not last months.

Anyway, I don't actually mind any of this that much I just want to understand their rules! Has anyone ever had any proper clarification?

exel1966

Card companies have very different operating methods when it comes to DD's and additional payments.

These should be within the T&C's but if not or you can't find them why not just ask them to put it in writing to you?

As for your points. If they collected after you'd paid the full amount or after you'd already paid 50% there would be a danger of putting your account into credit which is not a viable option.

How you chose to juggle your expenses and when you pay them off is not really their concern.

faceuptoit

That's weird, I have a DD set up for the minimum amount and overpay at the beginning of every month, but my DD still goes out for the minimum amount regardless (on my M&S card).

cats2012

I agree with your points exel, but it seems odd to penalise people paying down the next months balance. e.g. statement amount = £200, make £150 purchase (which would be on next statement), but pay this off straight away out of savings, which then means balance is still £200 but only £50 is taken this month?

We often use credit cards just for the protection for large purchases, but it puts me off doing it if it affects the previous months balance.

Like I said, it's not a big deal I just wondered if anyone knew what the rules where as I can't find them in T&Cs or anything.

[Deleted User]

For work expenses you should be using a cashback card ideally.