direct debit question

marc2003 · 16 Aug 2007 at 00:42

up until now i've always paid my phone bill by direct debit but long story short i want to cancel that and get invoiced and pay them when i get billed instead. i've cancelled the direct debit via my online banking (hsbc) and also wrote to BT to let them know.

anyway today, someone from BT's billing department (could barely understand a word she was saying, offshore callcentres = :rolleyes:

) asked me why my direct debit had been cancelled. i told her that i want to be invoiced the old fashion way. now of course she just says "oh don't worry i can re-instate your direct debit - it's much easier and will save you money". i categorically tell her no, that is not what i want but my worry is that she didn't understand me and will do it anyway. can she do this? it'll **** me up if she does as the account won't have any money in it. should i contact the bank and tell them not to authorise any direct debits. i don't fancy ringing bt to explain and i don't fancy trusting she understood me either.

sorry for the waffle.

growse · 16 Aug 2007 at 01:12

If you don't want dd, phone your bank. Tell them not to authorise and dd's. Make a note of when you had the conversation (record if you can, with the other person's permission) so if you get stung by charges, you have a record.

marc2003 · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:17

i guess i'll give the bank a ring just to be sure. ********* BT. :mad:

cheers for replying.

Kitchster_uk · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:20

The DD can be re-setup under the AUDDIS system. However, HSBC can put message on to stop this happening, ask one of he call centre to do it. Also, if they do set it up and take miney, you'll always get it back under the DD indemnity

Minto · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:36

Kitchster_uk said:
The DD can be re-setup under the AUDDIS system. However, HSBC can put message on to stop this happening, ask one of he call centre to do it. Also, if they do set it up and take miney, you'll always get it back under the DD indemnity

i've dealt with at least three banks that don't give a hoot about the direct debit guarantee and do whatever they damn well please. I wouldn't count on being able to claim your money back that way.

Kitchster_uk · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:37

Minto said:
i've dealt with at least three banks that don't give a hoot about the direct debit guarantee and do whatever they damn well please. I wouldn't count on being able to claim your money back that way.

As a manager of a high street bank, I *KNOW* you get you money back and although it can take some weeks, that is the company's fault, not the bank's. Oh and if the OP does have any problems, my MSN is in my trust - I will resolve it for you.

marc2003 · 16 Aug 2007 at 20:20

Kitchster_uk said:
The DD can be re-setup under the AUDDIS system.

this was my main worry - obviously i didn't know about the exact method but i thought there might some sort of automated system in place.....

anyway, i just rang up hsbc and they said it shows up as being cancelled on their system and BT cannot re-instate it without my express permission. i asked about putting a note on the system and was told there was no need. i hope the guy was right. oh and it would appear hsbc call centres are off shore too. had to explain everything twice and had a job understanding him too. why do the big companies do it...... bloody cheapskates. it's a false economy thinking they can save money when phonecalls take twice as long as they should.......

Kitchster_uk · 16 Aug 2007 at 20:23

marc2003 said:
this was my main worry - obviously i didn't know about the exact method but i thought there might some sort of automated system in place.....

anyway, i just rang up hsbc and they said it shows up as being cancelled on their system and BT cannot re-instate it without my express permission. i guess that will have to do.

Won't be a problem mate, but as I say, give me a shout on MSN a.j.kitching AT orange.net or email Kitchster_uk AT surfy.net and I'll have it resolved - branch managers are still good for some things!

Minto · 16 Aug 2007 at 22:38

Kitchster_uk said:
As a manager of a high street bank, I *KNOW* you get you money back and although it can take some weeks, that is the company's fault, not the bank's. Oh and if the OP does have any problems, my MSN is in my trust - I will resolve it for you.

well I had quite a disagreement (politely) with the manager of my local natwest. Their employee had deliberately misrepresented my claim and the manager refused to change the stance of "you can have your money back when we get ours back from the company" which as I understand it is not what the guarantee states (it quite clearly indicated my situation required an immediate refund)

This isn't my only experience where a bank has done this, and I can only say that I wish you were my bank manager!

edit: oh and just to clarify, the DD guarantee does state that the customer is entitled to an immediate refund (which the bank must reclaim from the company, but not before refunding). It also makes clear that it is not the banks responsibility to decide if the money in question is owed, they should proceed with your claim and the company can take any action against the customer (This is also directly contrary to what my bank manager told me).