Domestic and General - still debiting for expired warranty!

sherbie28

Hello,

I had a Repair Protection Plan with D&G for a Hotpoint washing machine. It expired and I didn't renew it because I bought a new washing machine. However I've just been looking at a bank statement that came this morning and they are still debiting for it, I did get a letter about a month or so ago and it said I had to act now if I wanted to renew and they had an email address for cancelling which I did. I've had a look at old statments and I think they've been doing it for a year because the old policy ran out Dec 2006. Is there a way to get the money back. Sorry if post is in wrong place but wasn't sure where to put it. Thanks

superscaper

Ask them for it.

sherbie28

I've spoken to D&G and they said that I would have got a renewal letter and unless I contacted them it automatically renews (i didn't realise that's how Direct Debit works). I didn't get a renewal letter so they've just continued with the DD for 4 payments of £19.20 throughout this year.

superscaper

sherbie28 wrote: »

I've spoken to D&G and they said that I would have got a renewal letter and unless I contacted them it automatically renews (i didn't realise that's how Direct Debit works). I didn't get a renewal letter so they've just continued with the DD for 4 payments of £19.20 throughout this year.

So are they saying it's your fault? Whether a mistake was made or not that is a different argument to them owing you that money and them not having any right to it. So if they have explicitly refused to return your money then I'd put it formally in writing to them to request the money by a certain date (fortnight from receipt of letter). May be worth checking with trading standards but if they still don't return the money then it's likely to be a case of you opening a small claims court dispute with them.

dzug

You can ask them for it back - and may get some of it.

However I think that they can quite reasonably argue that you should have spotted it months ago. Do you really not check your bank statements every month?

deanos

superscaper wrote: »

. So if they have explicitly refused to return your money then I'd put it formally in writing to them to request the money by a certain date (fortnight from receipt of letter.

Quicker to contact the bank and use the direct debit guarantee, you will have the money back within a few hours

sherbie28

Hello,

Just wanted to update everyone. I wrote to the D&G complaints department explaining everything and received a letter this morning informing me that they had credited my bank account with the full amount that I requested. I'm really pleased, thanks for all your help, I've certainly learnt my lesson for next time!

consultant31

It pays to always cancel a direct debit with your bank as well as the company you're dealing with - then if it continues to go out of your account you can hold the bank liable.

phill79

This is why they push you to set up a direct debit when you speak to them instead of using a CC.

The_Davies_household

I have held a protection plan with D & G for a number of years, as protection should my freezer break down, it did the first time about two years ago, D & G sent a local repair company and they fixed it, great, what a good service, wait there , 3 weeks ago it broke again, I contatced D & G as per instructions and they duly dispatched the local repair agent GSO Electricals from Newcastle Staffs to look at it. That visit took 4 days to arrange. Engineer came said he couldn't do it,, but he thought it needed new probes. Further visit arranged for 4 days later with new parts. Different engineer arrived with parts but on examination of freezer said it was not the probes but needed re gasing, which he did, not fitting the probes. The following day, the freezer was operating at a temperature of +17, contacted D & G who said as it had only just been done I should go direct to the repairer, I did and arranged for a visit 7 days later. this was the next available slot for the engineer. On the day a different engineer turned up, had a look, lasted about 15 minutes made a phone call said it needed re gasing and left, stating we would be a priority next week for the Chief Engineer, we would be contacted by GSO Electricals first thing Monday to arrange a priority visit. My wife phoned them Monday morning as the priorty call had not arrived, they offered an appointment later that day when it was stated we both worked and having already taken time off for the other visits it was no suitable, next slot 3 days later, again not suitable to us the customer, but to them. I have spoken to D & G on 2 occasions about the level of service and stated they should be monitoring who works on their behalf. They said it was not their issue but I should complain to the repairer, I said "my contract is with you not them", they disagreed, and could offer no further help. I have spoken with GSO Electricals who claim this was treated as a priority but to their convienence not mine and they were not going to change their stance, next visit booked for 7 days time, as this is the next time they can visit which is convienent to them. The freezer is still at +17. My recommendation save your money in a jar and when anything breaks ring the local repair man he will be reliable, punctual, professional and the chances are he will repair it first time. My policy is cancelled.:mad: