Direct Debit change letter

[lucevans]

Okay, got a letter from VM this morning that was classic Virgin - in an "attempt to make things simpler" they've ended-up making it as clear as mud.

I only have broadband; no other services. My direct debit has always gone out on the 9th of each month; always the correct amount; no problems.

Now, they say, "there may be a slight change to the date that your direct debit is collected. Your future direct debits will be debited from your account on or soon after the 28th of each month. This change will be effective for any payments claimed from 29th May onwards."

Well, as far as I'm concerned, they've already taken my payment for May, on the 9th, so are they going to try and move forward next month's payment to the 28th May? (as I read it, the payment that would have been due on 9th June falls into the category '29th May onwards')

Apart from feeling cheated over being charged twice in one month, they would be moving my payments even further "in advance" (I've worked out that I already pay for my service more than 1 month in advance currently) and their unilateral decision to change the debit date does not suit me at all since it moves the payment date from after payday (i.e. bank account full) to before payday (i.e. bank account empty)

I know someone is going to say "just ring them and they'll sort it out" but I don't have that much faith in their ability to sort things out, and I'll be damned if I'm going to pay them even local rate call charges to fix something that wasn't broken before they messed around with it.

p.s. One silver lining was that when I saw the letter on the doormat, I was fully expecting it to be a new set of T&Cs justifying the implementation of Phorm-Webwise customer surveillance. When it turned-out not to be, it lessened they impact of the DD change slightly!

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by lucevans

p.s. One silver lining was that when I saw the letter on the doormat, I was fully expecting it to be a new set of T&Cs justifying the implementation of Phorm-Webwise customer surveillance.

I have a feeling that one will be here soon enough.

[BenMcr]

If there is an overlap in the billing periods the payment taken at the end of May will include a credit to cover the amount you paid on the 9th of May

So, say for instance your 9 May payment covers the period 1st May - 31st May and was £18

and say the 29th May payment covers the period 16th May - 15th June.

The 29th May Payment would be for £9. This then covers the period 1st June - 15th June

The next payment take at the end of June will then be the 16th June - 15th July etc.

HTH

[cj_abi]

I had one of those letters this morning... and I'm a bit confused to say the very least (it makes me wonder if the coffee I'm drinking is strong enough to wake me enough to be able to get my head around it all.. lol!)

I quote...

"You may also see a comment on your bank or building society statement telling you about the last payment under the old reference and the first payment under the new reference. These changes will take place from 22nd May.

The other thing to tell you is that as part of these changes, there might be a slight change to the date that your direct debit is collected. Your future direct debits will be debited from your account on or soon after the 6th of the month. This change will be effective for any payments claimed from the 29th May onwards."

According to my bank statement, the last VM payment was on the 17th April - so, I guess that means now that the May payment won't happen until shortly after when? the 22nd May or just after 6th June??

[lucevans]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

If there is an overlap in the billing periods the payment taken at the end of May will include a credit to cover the amount you paid on the 9th of May

So, say for instance your 9 May payment covers the period 1st May - 31st May and was £18

and say the 29th May payment covers the period 16th May - 15th June.

The 29th May Payment would be for £9. This then covers the period 1st June - 15th June

The next payment take at the end of June will then be the 16th June - 15th July etc.

HTH

Because of a billing anomaly when I had the broadband installed (it coincided with the changeover from NTL to Virgin) my May 9th payment is actually for the period 18th May - 18th June, if anything, to redress this I'm hoping that they'll take nothing on 28th May, then resume normal debits in 28th June.

Note I say "hoping"...I have no confidence that this is what wil happen whatsoever...it's more likely that the corporate machine will just make the usual assumption, and move the payment date forward, not back (thus making VM even more money)

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by Sirius

I have a feeling that one will be here soon enough.

Thats just been posted here

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by bopdude

Thats just been posted here

Well the T&C have changed, but any attempt to discussion on these points, seems to closed and users redirected to main Phorm discussion thread, which is now so big, I just cannot be bothered to look at it anymore, as to me there are so many discussions going on in this thread, that it has lost focus.

[lucevans]

Originally Posted by bopdude

Thats just been posted here

As a regular visit to the Phorm thread, I'd seen that post, but as far as I am concerned, if VM want to change my T&Cs in a vain attempt to make Phorm-Webwise legitimate, they are going to have to send me a written version in the post, together with a new contract to sign. Which I won't.

Changing them on their website (a place I never visit) and not informing me directly is not valid.

[BenMcr]

Back On Topic

Originally Posted by cj_abi

According to my bank statement, the last VM payment was on the 17th April - so, I guess that means now that the May payment won't happen until shortly after when? the 22nd May or just after 6th June??

Ok this is what should happen. Because your Direct Debit is due before the 22nd May it will be taken as normal on the 17th May. This is because the bill would have been put together before the 26th April when the old system was taken offline

Your next Direct Debit however will be a partial month one on or after the 6th of June.

If however, your direct debit had been due after the 22nd May, it will not be taken until your new Direct Debit date. This may mean that it is higher than usual. This is because the bill would have been dated after the 26th April on the old system, which is after it went offline

Any bills due on the new system will be sent out on a paper bill, the same as all other services, unless you request otherwise

---------- Post added at 16:46 ---------- Previous post was at 16:37 ----------

Originally Posted by lucevans

Because of a billing anomaly when I had the broadband installed (it coincided with the changeover from NTL to Virgin) my May 9th payment is actually for the period 18th May - 18th June, if anything, to redress this I'm hoping that they'll take nothing on 28th May, then resume normal debits in 28th June.

Can I ask where you live? Town/County will do

[lucevans]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Back On Topic

Can I ask where you live? Town/County will do

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire