Paid a company a deposit for goods but they didn't claim it

Rosielx12

I was trying to get four roof windows replaced. I agreed to hire the company and paid via debit card using a link provided by them.

A week later the funds came bank to my bank account. No contact from company. I spoke to my bank who said money was not claimed by the company. I emailed the company to ask what was happening.

They called this morning to say the finance department will claim the money on a random date in the future... I said this isn't good enough. I moved the money back into my saving account. It's a large sum. I asked the company to provide a date that the money will be claimed and when the installation could be done.

I don't feel comfortable with this company. I've arranged for other people to look but have not accepted any other quote. Advice would be appreciated. 

I don't know if I can cancel. My current account doesn't have the funds in it. What woukd you do? The payment was made 7-10 day ago. They have a reputation for poor customer service.

Sorry for length of message. I'm dealing with my dad's estate and very bogged down in paperwork.

Ergates

When is the work due to start?

If you have entered into a contract and subsequently break it, they may be entitled to claim *some* money from you.  This could be for any costs incurred so far (e.g. if the've paid for scaffolding), or if they cannot find a replacement customer for the "slot" you took, then for loss of profits.

DullGreyGuy

Rosielx12 said:

I was trying to get four roof windows replaced. I agreed to hire the company and paid via debit card using a link provided by them.

A week later the funds came bank to my bank account. No contact from company. I spoke to my bank who said money was not claimed by the company. I emailed the company to ask what was happening.

They called this morning to say the finance department will claim the money on a random date in the future... I said this isn't good enough. I moved the money back into my saving account. It's a large sum. I asked the company to provide a date that the money will be claimed and when the installation could be done.

I don't feel comfortable with this company. I've arranged for other people to look but have not accepted any other quote. Advice would be appreciated. 

I don't know if I can cancel. My current account doesn't have the funds in it. What woukd you do? The payment was made 7-10 day ago. They have a reputation for poor customer service.

Sorry for length of message. I'm dealing with my dad's estate and very bogged down in paperwork.

An authorisation on a card is valid for 6 months, so even if the ring fencing of the funds has ended and the funds released they can still go on and request collection. If it goes beyond 6 months the system would still allow them to request a collection (technically authorisation is optional) but it's an automatic chargeback class unless they request your permission first. 

So you're free to remove the funds into your savings but you may get a bounced payment fee or such if they move to collection. 

Your rights to cancel the job with the company will depends on a combination of how you made the purchase and their T&Cs. If they've a reputation for poor service why did you choose them?

born_again

DullGreyGuy said:

Rosielx12 said:

I was trying to get four roof windows replaced. I agreed to hire the company and paid via debit card using a link provided by them.

A week later the funds came bank to my bank account. No contact from company. I spoke to my bank who said money was not claimed by the company. I emailed the company to ask what was happening.

They called this morning to say the finance department will claim the money on a random date in the future... I said this isn't good enough. I moved the money back into my saving account. It's a large sum. I asked the company to provide a date that the money will be claimed and when the installation could be done.

I don't feel comfortable with this company. I've arranged for other people to look but have not accepted any other quote. Advice would be appreciated. 

I don't know if I can cancel. My current account doesn't have the funds in it. What woukd you do? The payment was made 7-10 day ago. They have a reputation for poor customer service.

Sorry for length of message. I'm dealing with my dad's estate and very bogged down in paperwork.

An authorisation on a card is valid for 6 months, so even if the ring fencing of the funds has ended and the funds released they can still go on and request collection. If it goes beyond 6 months the system would still allow them to request a collection (technically authorisation is optional) but it's an automatic chargeback class unless they request your permission first. 

So you're free to remove the funds into your savings but you may get a bounced payment fee or such if they move to collection. 

Your rights to cancel the job with the company will depends on a combination of how you made the purchase and their T&Cs. If they've a reputation for poor service why did you choose them?

Only if they use the same date as the previous authorisation.
Have seen companies change the date to the date the payment is processed again, which means no chargeback right 👍
Often places like car parks or inflight purchases where system breaks down & they can only reprocess using date they pick it up.