Direct Debit cancellation advice

PhoenixXB1

Good morning,

I'd appreciate some advice/guidance from anyone in the know.

Due to a change in personal circumstances (changed jobs which has meant covering a large area of UK and wife has reduced her working hours following maternity leave), we looked at our outgoings. I and two of the kids had a martial arts club membership however due to my working away a lot, we had only used the membership rarely since April 2015. We were paying £75 a month by Direct Debit and my wife cancelled this last week at the bank. I received a letter yesterday from the finance company who look after the martial arts club stating I had not followed their procedure (which I had signed up to in October 2013) and requesting I send them a cheque for another £75 to give one month's notice. I don't dispute I hadn't followed the procedure, my wife certainly never gave it a thought when she cancelled the DD.

When the DD was first set up it was set up for £35 a month in October 2013. I signed the agreement for the £35 a month. This was because only my son was taking lessons at that time. In December 2013, my daughter and I decided to join the club as well with my son. We were offered a package at £100 per month, which I accepted. No further DD agreements were signed but I did receive a letter from the finance company confirming the new monthly payment. In September 2014 the payment changed again, it was reduced to £75 a month (this was because the club nearest to our home had closed and the owner wanted to keep us as customers so reduced the price - though it increased our travelling from 10 miles a week to 90 miles).

Now my query, should I pay the £75 requested for the one month's notice (as I said I don't dispute I didn't follow the cancellation policy) or should I dispute this/offer to pay £35 due to the contract that was signed in October 2013 (as they refer to)?

Thanks in advance.

AJ1982

Not sure how your question relates to DD.

You basically didnt give a months notice and stopped paying. Pay them what you owe, or negotiate a smaller amount based on recent non attendance or financial hardship.

alexmi

When you and your daughter joined the club this effectively cancelled the original membership charge and new membership charge of £100 was quoted, to which you presumably agreed. This is all that is required and they can subsequently increase the amount debited under the DD agreement accordingly. They wrote to you to confirm the new amount for the DD, which is all that they need to do under the Direct debit Guarantee, no additional signatures required.