Well, after a number of issues with Direct Debit payments being abused by companies that I’d given Carte Blanche to I decided to cancel all Direct Debits and instead set up Standing Orders as that was I’m the one in control of what and when leaves my account.
“good morning Mr Nutt, I’m calling from TV licensing, you are two months in arrears of your payments, we need you to make a payment today?”
“I beg your pardon, I’ve not missed two payments, I have however cancelled my Direct Debit, but there will only be one payment outstanding”
“Hold on, let me check, oh yes, sorry you have one payment outstanding, can you pay now?”
“certainly, let me give you my Visa details hold on..”
“Sir I’ll also need to take your account number and sort code to set up the Direct Debit again”
“No you won’t, I’ll happily pay by Standing Order but I’m not paying by Direct Debit, It’s a system openly abused by businesses, I don’t see why I should give you or anyone else free reign on my bank account”
“sorry sir, we don’t accept Standing Orders, I’ll issue you a refund”
“You’ll what?”
“You’ll be due a refund if you’re not paying by Direct Debit”
“How much?”
“About seventy pounds”
“what? WHY?!?”
“Because if you pay by Direct Debit you have to pay SIX MONTHS in advance”
“How? what? why? why if you’ve got instant access to my bank account would you need to be taking half a years payment in advance?!?”
“I don’t know, but if you pay by payment card then you just pay as you go, that’s what I’ll set you up on, the refund will be back in your account within five days, sorry sir”
Good grief.