Stop Direct Debit

sorethumbs

Hi all - thanks for the advice. Luckily I was called back from the company this afternoon as I'd rung twice with no answer. The lady said she would cancel the process so hopefully that will be the end of it.
Just got myself in a bit of a flap, normally quite careful with these matters

Ben8282

I've read people have had big trouble contacting them so I fear the apparent 'cooling off' period is probably going to pass without me managing to cancel it.
Where did you read this? You may well have read it but have you actually tried to contact them? Actually trying to call them would be more beneficial than spending your time reading that others have had 'big trouble' in contacting them.

Do you know if banks show that the direct debit has been set up (but not yet reached the payment date) so it can be cancelled prior to the first payment?
Yes

Barclays have said the only thing I can do is to monitor my account and address cancelling the debit when a payment is taken.
Not sure what they mean about monitoring your address. This is not correct advice. Before any payment can be taken the direct debit will have to be set up. Monitor your list of direct debits and cancel the direct debit as soon as it is set up and appears on the list. Cancelling the direct debit AFTER the payment has been taken is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Since searching for the company and reading the reviews I don't want to go near them.
Shame that you didn't do this searching and review reading prior to taking out the policy rather than after.

a company I believed I currently had a home appliance policy and thought I was renewing.
Could you explain how that error came about?

Is there anything i can do to prevent the company from taking payment before they actually take the initial payment?
Yes cancel the direct debit as soon as it appears as suggested above.

You say I'll still be liable to have to pay them for an agreement I've entered in to over the phone?
Well yes. What did you actually agree to?

I've tried ringing the company and their accounts number just rings and rings eventually call ends. I guess I'll just have to wait and hope some info turns up in the post with instructions to be able to cancel.
I fear nothing will arrive, nobody will answer their phone line and I'll be stuck with entering into something I no longer want
I disagree.
Where did you get their telephone number from if you have received nothing in the post? From their website perhaps? If there is a telephone number on the website there is presumably an address. Write to this address and cancel whatever you were talked in to signing up to. Perhaps there is an e-mail address shown on the website also?
Perhaps if you were to name this company somebody could assist in providing contact details.

Luckily I was called back from the company this afternoon as I'd rung twice with no answer.
What fantastic customer service. Now how many companies would do that! Perhaps your opinion of this company was wrong after all?

Terry_Towelling

Ben8282 wrote:

Barclays have said the only thing I can do is to monitor my account and address cancelling the debit when a payment is taken.
Not sure what they mean about monitoring your address...

I think this is a grammatical error, Ben. There should be a comma between the words, 'account' & 'and'.

sorethumbs

Thanks all and the company is Home Appliance Cover (.com)
I was lead to believe this was an extension to my current policy with another company for insurance on breakdowns for washing machine, fridge etc. After realising they were a complete different company I found their site and tried to call with no luck.
They did however call me back which appeared to be a good thing and the customer service person said she would cancel the policy previously discussed. All seemed good and I thought that would be that.

Today paperwork arrives 9 days after confirming payment will be taken on the 1st Feb for the policy in question and on checking my bank I see DD instructions are set up on my account. So I have cancelled that particular DD setup and written a letter to the company stating I had cancelled this and this is now a second desire to stop the insurance within the 14 day cooling off period stated on the letter - although I find it strange they take 9 days to send the paperwork and the payment will start next week .

I've sent it off as a 'signed for' letter and taken a copy of it. I will also email the company as a backup.

Do you think I've covered myself here?