Window Cleaner insisting I pay on Go Cardless…can it be trusted?

boingy

I'd be reluctant to give any small company/firm a licence to take money out of my account with a DD or similar. Yes, any abuse will be covered by the DD system but you have to notice that abuse and you have to chase the refund. Much better to stay in control of the money for most things.

elsien

Rob5342 said:

I don't see the problem really. If you are going to pay them anyway does it really matter how the money is moved? It's not much different to the 20+ direct debits you have set up for all your other bills.

Although on the same note, if the OP is going to pay them anyway, what difference does it make to them if they continue to do so by direct bank transfer? 

eDicky

I would see the disadvantage in complying to be their ability to take payment even on an occasion when their work is not satisfactory.

Zanderman

elsien said:

Rob5342 said:

I don't see the problem really. If you are going to pay them anyway does it really matter how the money is moved? It's not much different to the 20+ direct debits you have set up for all your other bills.

Although on the same note, if the OP is going to pay them anyway, what difference does it make to them if they continue to do so by direct bank transfer? 

eDicky said:

I would see the disadvantage in complying to be their ability to take payment even on an occasion when their work is not satisfactory.

This ^^ seems to me the only real issue. OP will be paying anyway, but, crucially, will be wanting to pay when they want to pay. Not at a time of the contactor's choosing and without the client's approval each time.

The OP hasn't said, specifically, what's troubling them, but I'd guess it is, primarily, this. It would trouble me, for window cleaning.

GoCardless is safe to use, no problem there. So if OP is worrying about that they needn't. It's a respectable payment system.

But even respectable payment systems might be a worry if you aren't sure about the motives of the contractor.

GoCardless involves setting up a DD, which means the contractor can take payment when they choose. That's potentially a problem, and one I would worry about too in this case, as it's window cleaning and one wouldn't, normally, pay until the job is a good 'un. The contractor might do a bad job, or might start skimping in general, as they know they'll be paid regardless. Automatically paying is not, in my view, appropriate for this service.  

Presumably the contractor will be bringing the DD system to counteract slow or missing payments  - perhaps they've found some clients of theirs resist paying, or are always late payers. You can see the appeal for the contractor.  But a decent contractor would also see that imposing this payment system will put people off (including I'd guess all the reluctant payers, so may not help at all) and might actually lose clients, not ensure income!  

born_again

Zanderman said:

elsien said:

Rob5342 said:

I don't see the problem really. If you are going to pay them anyway does it really matter how the money is moved? It's not much different to the 20+ direct debits you have set up for all your other bills.

Although on the same note, if the OP is going to pay them anyway, what difference does it make to them if they continue to do so by direct bank transfer? 

eDicky said:

I would see the disadvantage in complying to be their ability to take payment even on an occasion when their work is not satisfactory.

This ^^ seems to me the only real issue. OP will be paying anyway, but, crucially, will be wanting to pay when they want to pay. Not at a time of the contactor's choosing and without the client's approval each time.

The OP hasn't said, specifically, what's troubling them, but I'd guess it is, primarily, this. It would trouble me, for window cleaning.

GoCardless is safe to use, no problem there. So if OP is worrying about that they needn't. It's a respectable payment system.

But even respectable payment systems might be a worry if you aren't sure about the motives of the contractor.

GoCardless involves setting up a DD, which means the contractor can take payment when they choose. That's potentially a problem, and one I would worry about too in this case, as it's window cleaning and one wouldn't, normally, pay until the job is a good 'un. The contractor might do a bad job, or might start skimping in general, as they know they'll be paid regardless. Automatically paying is not, in my view, appropriate for this service.  

Presumably the contractor will be bringing the DD system to counteract slow or missing payments  - perhaps they've found some clients of theirs resist paying, or are always late payers. You can see the appeal for the contractor.  But a decent contractor would also see that imposing this payment system will put people off (including I'd guess all the reluctant payers, so may not help at all) and might actually lose clients, not ensure income!  

Could be a interesting one, given the need to give advance notification of payment being taken.

https://www.directdebit.co.uk/direct-debit-explained/direct-debit-guarantee/Direct Debit Guarantee

• The Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits
• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit the organisation will notify you (normally 10 working days) in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request the organisation to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request
• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by the organisation or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society
• If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when the organisation asks you to
• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify the organisation.

https://gocardless.com/direct-debit/guarantee/#:~:text=The Direct Debit Guarantee protects,immediate refund from their bank.

GoCardless seem to think 3 days.

Zanderman

born_again said:

Zanderman said:

elsien said:

Rob5342 said:

I don't see the problem really. If you are going to pay them anyway does it really matter how the money is moved? It's not much different to the 20+ direct debits you have set up for all your other bills.

Although on the same note, if the OP is going to pay them anyway, what difference does it make to them if they continue to do so by direct bank transfer? 

eDicky said:

I would see the disadvantage in complying to be their ability to take payment even on an occasion when their work is not satisfactory.

This ^^ seems to me the only real issue. OP will be paying anyway, but, crucially, will be wanting to pay when they want to pay. Not at a time of the contactor's choosing and without the client's approval each time.

The OP hasn't said, specifically, what's troubling them, but I'd guess it is, primarily, this. It would trouble me, for window cleaning.

GoCardless is safe to use, no problem there. So if OP is worrying about that they needn't. It's a respectable payment system.

But even respectable payment systems might be a worry if you aren't sure about the motives of the contractor.

GoCardless involves setting up a DD, which means the contractor can take payment when they choose. That's potentially a problem, and one I would worry about too in this case, as it's window cleaning and one wouldn't, normally, pay until the job is a good 'un. The contractor might do a bad job, or might start skimping in general, as they know they'll be paid regardless. Automatically paying is not, in my view, appropriate for this service.  

Presumably the contractor will be bringing the DD system to counteract slow or missing payments  - perhaps they've found some clients of theirs resist paying, or are always late payers. You can see the appeal for the contractor.  But a decent contractor would also see that imposing this payment system will put people off (including I'd guess all the reluctant payers, so may not help at all) and might actually lose clients, not ensure income!  

Could be a interesting one, given the need to give advance notification of payment being taken.

https://www.directdebit.co.uk/direct-debit-explained/direct-debit-guarantee/Direct Debit Guarantee

• The Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits
• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit the organisation will notify you (normally 10 working days) in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request the organisation to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request
• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by the organisation or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society
• If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when the organisation asks you to
• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify the organisation.

https://gocardless.com/direct-debit/guarantee/#:~:text=The Direct Debit Guarantee protects,immediate refund from their bank.

GoCardless seem to think 3 days.

ok, maybe 'when they choose' was too broad a term. 

Notice is only needed when a DD amount/interval changes (do you get 3 days notice of every DD?)

The primary point I was making remains. 

The payment becomes automatic, not instigated by the customer and would, presumably, be liable to paid every time without notice (just like most DDs) as long is its the same amount each time at a set interval.

So if window cleaner comes once a month, and sets DD to pay on the Xth day each month the customer pays regardless of the quality of the job, as opposed to the customer actually pushing the payment by bank transfer when they're happy with the job.