It was a continuous payment authority which I cancelled through my bank.

Thanks fkofilee. I think you are right, though they are now quoting their terms and conditions (see below). So unless I get a "cancellation reference" in time, (which they made very difficult to do) it means I am bound to them for an extra year whether I like it or not. How far can they take this? :s b. Renewed membership: If you do not wish to renew your membership you should telephone us on [], or [] or email us, to obtain a cancellation reference, but at least 15 days before your current membership term ends. You must retain the cancellation reference as proof of cancellation. No refunds can be issued for any remaining membership term after payment has been taken for renewed memberships. As you did not cancel your membership in accordance with our cancellation procedure you do now owe us £39.95 for the renewal of your membership.

To cut a long story short, I had to cancel my Gourmet Society subscription by instructing my bank to block payments as the renewal correspondence hadn't arrived in enough time for me to action it with GS themselves. I notice many other people aren't so lucky and GS refuse to give a refund after having taken the payment against their will. GS are phoning and emailing me saying I owe them another year's subscription as I hadn't cancelled directly through them. Are they right?