Overcharged for magazine subscription?

factor29

I subscribe to a TV guide that's delivered weekly.

I'm billed quarterly by direct debit.

I was looking at it last night as I thought it was costing more than it should and realised that when I signed up the confirmation email states it would cost me £11.99 quarterly

I am being billed £17.81 quarterly instead. I have gone through all my emails from them and none mention an increase. Also the cost on there website is less than this - a little over £12.

I've been paying this for the past 7 months / I switched bank account the beginning of the year so don't have access to my statements to check if I have always paid this amount.

Clearly something is wrong so I've emailed the company asking them to look into it. It works out nearly £70 overpayment.

What are my options?

grumbler

If it really is a DD just demand all incorrect amounts refunded by your bank under the DD guarantee. Then contact the magazine and pay them what you are supposed to pay under the original agreement.

p00hsticks

factor29 wrote: »

I am being billed £17.81 quarterly instead. I have gone through all my emails from them and none mention an increase. Also the cost on there website is less than this - a little over £12.

In my experience of magazine/ newspaper subscriptions, any price rises / changes to direct debit amounts tend to be sent via the post rather than by e-mail

eskbanker

factor29 wrote: »

Also the cost on there website is less than this - a little over £12.

Could that be an introductory offer for new subscribers or does it definitively say that this is what you should be paying?

factor29 wrote: »

I've been paying this for the past 7 months / I switched bank account the beginning of the year so don't have access to my statements to check if I have always paid this amount.

Sounds like this horse has already bolted but it seems a bit rash to switch and lose all financial records by doing so! No paper or soft copies kept at all?

factor29

Thanks will see what the company say when they get back to me.

Definitely not been notified of the change by post or anything, Ive only not noticed it because its quarterly and not monthly

factor29

The company replied to my query saying they regularly offer discounted subscriptions to new readers and that due to a rise in postage costs their costs have to rise.

They completely ignored my request for when and how they notified me of the change in direct debit amount.

So I replied again asking for this info. They have again sent an identical reply explaining the rise in postage costs.

If I look at my email or on there website the cost is the ongoing cost. No introductory offer or trial period. I signed up at 11.99 and the price on there website is only pennies more than this. Therefore postage rises can't be a factor here!

If they had written to me I would have cancelled due to a 50% increase!

Have threatened then with the direct debit guarantee so will see where that gets me.

I guess as I've switched accounts that I won't be able to claim anything from the old bank if it does come to it?