Pipex Homecall DD Issue

[Isiris]

I have my telephone through Pipex Homecall. For whatever reason, I do not want to pay with a DIRECT DEBIT, I want to pay with my DEBIT CARD when I get my bill.

I have just been phoned and told that there is a problem on my account.

They say, that if I do not place a DD on my account by 18th January 2007, my phone will be barred. It will not be barred because I owe anything, they admit there is no debt, they say It will be barred because I will not have a DD. The bar will not be lifted unless I place give them my bank details.

Where do I stand please

[chesham]

I don't understand your post - sorry!
You want to pay by DD when you receive your bill? DD's are continous payments, set up by them against your account to take payment once a month - you won't be able to make a DD payment on an ad-hoc basis, only a BACS or cheque payment. They are automatic, and are usually for the same amount each month - any change will need to be pre-ceded by an invoice telling you the amount 10 working days before the account is due to be debited. I don't think companies can refuse a service based on the fact a customer will not commit to a direct debit, but will impose a charge to it's customers - which has shown to be fair.

My internet provider will also not provide broadband if you do not give your bank account details - even though it is a free service - as it is written in as a term of the contract.

[Isiris]

Chesham

2000% sorry. I got all flustered. I have editted it now to make sense.

[buzby]

Ah - the two payment methods are not the same, however I would urge you NOT to make a debit card payment as you have even less rights with this than with DDM. Of course it is your right to go with any company you like, and if they do not offer a payment method you like you take your business to someone that can. You are within your rights to tell the company that you are unable to provide DD access to your account. (You could, however offer to make payments in ADVANCE by cheque or card if that would suit, or by bank transfer if your bank account is PC enabled).

[Isiris]

Thanks Buzby

It was the, "If you dont give us bank details, you will be barred even though you owe us nothing" attitude that did me in.

Thanks alot

[buzby]

Pleasure. It is the way these companies are railroading consumers to accept that the DDM is the ONLY acceptable way they are prepared to do business with you is that you provide them with open access to your bank account. Yes, right!

DDs have sneakily evolved from set dates and amounts (like a Standing Order) to 'unspecified amounts on unspecified dates' effectively meaning they can take as much and as often as they want, with the DDM guarantee only offering a refund if there has been an error... no consequential loss responsibility for additional fees you may be charged by your bank or other firms for payments that bounce. APACS, the banks clearing centre make much of the guarantee, but couldn't give a toss about the mayhem a DDM leaves behind. If only MPs would take a stance.

[sbfido]

I would also advise you to contact OFTEL, There are several complaints in relation to this. The regulations for telecommuincation companies are being breached by there request and they may be placing you at risk.

I am aware of this companies actions and so are OFTEL!

They have a helpline contact them very useful!

[buzby]

You may find OFTEL don't exist anymore. The replacement regulator, OFCOM is a 'hands-off' operation and does NOT represent consumers in disputes, only trade/indistry and competition issues.

[mcfadzean1]

try useing otelo .

[buzby]

Or a chocolate teapot, as both are about as useful!

[mcfadzean1]

they was most helpfull when i phoned them the other day regarding pipex

[mfpa]

Originally Posted by Isiris

I have my telephone through Pipex Homecall.

[...]

They say, that if I do not place a DD on my account by 18th January 2007, my phone will be barred.

Surprised by this. The advice given to people who don't want to use DD when taking a Pipex Homecall contract is that they require the first payment to be DD and then you can have an invoice instead if you wish.

[buzby]

Ludicrous. Once they have taken the first DD, they can carry on regardless irrespective of your wishes. If they don;'t have your authority, they cannot. Taking just 'one' payment by DD is highly suspect, they might was well take a cheque.

[mfpa]

Originally Posted by buzby

Ludicrous. Once they have taken the first DD, they can carry on regardless irrespective of your wishes.

Your bank *should* refuse subsequent DD payment demands if you cancel the mandate with them (as opposed to the payee) after the first payment.

Originally Posted by buzby

If they don;'t have your authority, they cannot. Taking just 'one' payment by DD is highly suspect

Highly suspect or otherwise, I've seen it frequently. Another example is Vodafone.

Anyway, I had not noticed but Pipex Homecall have changed their policy and new customers now have to tick a box stating "I understand my service will be suspended if the Direct Debit fails or is cancelled" (or similar wording).

[Shoestring]

Originally Posted by mfpa

Your bank *should* refuse subsequent DD payment demands if you cancel the mandate with them (as opposed to the payee) after the first payment.

As one who has experienced how little banks care about cancelled DD's often ignoring your written cancellation, I'm with Buzby here. Issuing a DD is like handing the key of your floor safe to a known cat burglar. Once they have your banking details anything can happen. Worse, it often does.

It's just another version of "Information Theft" to these jaundiced eyes (see: http://cse.stanford.edu/classes/cs20...me/theft.html). The problem here is not getting your money back, but the time and effort it takes to do so. Two years and a file of correspondence thick enough to use as a Roman banquesting cushion is what it took for me...

Shoestring

[viljoenbotha]

I have a situation with Pipex.

I left(canceled my service) pipex in Nov 06 and moved house pretty much after that. I had to pay the remainder of my contract and settled my account in full at the time. Now I get a call from my old house mate (June 07) saying that there is a bill from Pipex of £56.00 for me.

I contacted them and they told me its from my home phone call for September and October. when I asked them why it was not included in my last bill of Nov 06 (last calls billed 10-oct-06) they told be it was separate change to the broadband and could not estimate how much I was going to call and therefore did bother telling me or sending me a bill until I contacted them. (They have had my email address all this time but did not contact me.)

What must I do , Do I have to pay this bill?

[buzby]

Since you incurred the charges, then yes. Incompetence (on their part) is not an excuse to have it waived. Bills for usage always follow when an account is closed, as in reality this IS the final bill. If they sent you a bill earlier saying IT was final, then you could argue it was misleading and offer to pay - say - 50% of the amount owed.

[viljoenbotha]

Thanks you for your help