Vodafone no bills - breaking direct debit guarentee?

oopsadaisydoddle

NFH wrote: »

Under the Direct Debit Guarantee, the onus is on the originator to notify the customer of the date and amount (unless the amount remains the same for every payment). A notification involves sending some form of communication, whether that be SMS, e-mail, postal letter etc. Silently making a bill available on a web site is not a notification. I've had this problem with other companies in the past and consequently consulted the relevant industry bodies for advice. I believe that Vodafone does routinely provide genuine notifications, but perhaps these failed in the OP's case, in which case Vodafone would be in breach of the Direct Debit Guarantee.

This may be true but it still doesn't stop the fact that OP still actually owes the money so although they could get the money back into their bank, they would only have to pay it back again.

And possibly mess up their credit file as the 7 months payments would be very overdue!

toadhal

thanks for all your replies, all interesting... and it seems everyone made valid but slightly different, and sometimes opposite points... some people clearly do not understand the DD guarantee... in that if they break it, i am no longer in debt to company... however something has come to light showing we did get notified... so my legs have been taken away and I have paid... still not happy though with the rudeness of voda people on phone...

NFH

toadhal wrote: »

some people clearly do not understand the DD guarantee... in that if they break it, i am no longer in debt to company

The debt remains, but payment of the debt is not necessarily due on the date of the direct debit if the originator failed to notify you in accordance with the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Fifer

toadhal wrote: »

some people clearly do not understand the DD guarantee... in that if they break it, i am no longer in debt to company...

Can you post the part of the DD guarantee which you believe supports that claim?

oopsadaisydoddle

Fifer wrote: »

Can you post the part of the DD guarantee which you believe supports that claim?

Yes, I would like to know this too. You are entitled to a refund if they fail to notify you of a change OP but that is purely for the direct debit side of things. It DOES NOT mean you don't still owe them the money.

Buzby

Afraid your grasp of the DD 'guarantee' is a misconception. As others have pointed out, the protection it offers is so limited that - for practical purposes - is less than useless for the average consumer.

The fact you could wave goodbye to any debt simply because of a DD is one thing Originators would run a mile and look to other payment methods that were less risky!

Gordon_Hose

I'm confused, who is it that doesn't understand the DD guarantee?? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Buzby

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

I'm confused, who is it that doesn't understand the DD guarantee??

Anyone who thinks it offers anything useful.

Vodafone

Hi toadhal,

Thanks for making me aware of your concerns.

If you'd like me to take a closer look at things for you could you email me with your details via the link in our profile here?

All you need to do is copy and paste the link into your web browser and it will take you to the Contact us form on our website. To make sure it reaches me could you also quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line?

Once sent you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. So I can make sure I've got it could you update the thread with this and I'll get back to you as soon as possible?

Kind regards,

Lee

Web Relations Team

Vodafone UK

Ergates

toadhal wrote: »

still not happy though with the rudeness of voda people on phone...

You're complaining of their rudeness, but you were trying to get out of a debt you owed. That seems like some kind of double standards to me.