Littlewoods (Advice Needed)

Wharfdale

Hi all, 
I have had a Littlewoods account since 2008 and have never missed a payment up until March 2021. I have been off work because of my health and my direct debt always went out on a Monday every 4 weeks (The day I got my ESA) so I never had an issue. Anyway, around March 2021 Littlewoods decided to pull their billing dates back by 3 days so instead of the Monday it was now on Friday before. I asked if the date could be moved back because I was now getting charged an extra £12 a month for being 3 days late.

I was told we bill every 4 weeks and we bill you on the date you agreed to when you originally signed up. I argued that if that was the case then why had the date moved back 3 days now. They simply told me it had not and the date was not moveable. So since March 2021, I have just taken the £12m - £144yr hit.

I have recently gone back to work and asked if I could have my billing date moved a few days because I get paid on or near the 28th of each month and do not want to keep getting the extra charges. Now they did not say yes but explained that I would on one month have to pay double. I asked when that would be and they said this September, which I did not mind because I have time to put money aside for the extra amount that month. However, they are still refusing to move my billing date!

Now I don't know the full rights and regs on this type of thing but I thought that any lender was meant to help people in any way possible or not make things hard financially for them?? Annoyingly I have worked hard over the last few years to boost my credit rating and now it is taking a hit as Littlewoods keep telling me! Just because of the date. 

It is frustrating because I have never missed a payment and they are unwilling to help resolve the issue?

Can anyone advise me on anything else I could possibly do??

Thanks in advance

Matt

sourcrates

Littlewoods payment due date has always been run on a four weekly cycle, since the year dot.

How much debt do you have with them ? 

They can`t change there billing sequence, I swear they do it on purpose to benefit from the charges.

This is why it`s important to time your orders correctly, so that your payment due date falls within the scope of your previous months pay.

Wharfdale

I think they do it on purpose too. Eventually they admitted they moved their billing dates back in 2021 but will not move anything just to stop people getting charges.

enthusiasticsaver

How much is the monthly payment?  I suggest you divide one payment in twelve and put  that aside to move across to your current account on the month you have two payments.  If you are paying interest on Littlewoods you would be best making a plan to clear it anyway as catalogues are usually expensive.  Paying £144 a year in late charges is not good and your credit record will also be hit. 

stymied

Would there be any merit in requesting the original paperwork to see what date you actually agreed to when you signed up? I’m wondering if you may have the basis for a complaint if this has been changed, causing you hardship?

Hopefully someone who understands more could confirm if it would be worth trying this.

peteuk

Did they provide any warning of the change of dates?

Could you not avoid a charge by putting a payment aside? 

Wharfdale

Not that I remember I just got a text we the new due date. I will look into it though thanks for the replies.