Direct Debit

smallgod2000

Hi

Anyone got a little info on Direct debits?


Had it set up for over a year now, no problems before. £15 took out of account on 15th every month. It’s for contacts lenses through well known opticians.

Every three months they send me 30 pairs of lenses through post.

Part of the agreement is that I have a contact lenses check every year. Due to moving house and other things going on I’ve not had chance to set up appointment to go in. They have sent me a few mailshots just letting me know that although they will keep taking payments from account they cannot supply me with lenses until I have the check up. Today I went into for appointment and also found out that I have been given a refund into my account by them and the direct debit has been cancelled, I had to call them up to find out.

I know if there is a problem with the funds or the bank details then it can be cancelled but as there was nothing wrong with it are they allowed to just cancel it?. I've no letter at all telling me it was being cancelled.

Thanks

jonesMUFCforever

A direct debit can be cancelled by the customer or the company.

It looks like you did not go for an appointment in time so they were unable to carry on supplying you with lenses.

They have refunded you so what is the problem?
You can either start again or find another supplier/optician.

soolin

Personally I would have more of a problem if they had carried on taking payment under direct debit whilst not supplying any new lenses.

exel1966

Sounds as if you're on a very similar contract to mine, but I only pay £10pm.

As you are aware part of the T&C's state that you must go fo a free annual check up to ensure it is safe to continue prescribing lenses to you. As you haven't had the check up they are quite within their rights to cancel your contract and direct debit, though as has been said before a DD can be cancelled by the company for any reason at any time time if they no longer want your business. They don't have to give a reason for it, just as they can reinstate a DD where you have cancelled it with your bank and not notified the company concerned.
It has been done for your benefit as it would be considered unsafe practice on their behalf to continue prescribing to someone they haven't seen in over a year !