[Gllug] OT: Paying for stuff - Was: So no one has opinions about ISPs?

[Caroline Ford]

On Fri, 2007-08-03 at 11:26 +0100, Jason Clifford wrote:
> On Fri, 3 Aug 2007, DL Neil wrote:
> 
> > Similarly I have found component suppliers 'dipping into' my  
> > Switch/Maestro account after over-refunding me; and when Bulldog was  
> > leashed to Pipex they set up a new Direct Debit Agreement without  
> > reference to me (not so bad, but the old one was left 'alive' and thus  
> > left me exposed to 'double-dipping').
> 
> If a merchant does this they are acting unlawfully - perhaps even 
> committing a criminal offence. A direct debit mandate is an instruction to 
> your bank from you and when you supply the mandate to the merchant they 
> are only authorised to present it in accordance with your authorisation to 
> do so. If you cancel the mandate they do not have authorisation to set up 
> a new one unless you specifically ask them to.
> 
> If you find this has happened to you complain to your bank and demand 
> refund of any money taken through the unauthorised mandate.
> 
> > Which regular payment method is the safest/least exposed to supplier
> > arrogance/abuse, that at the same time is acceptable to suppliers?
> 
> Direct debit is fairly good in that there are protections in law which do 
> not exist with other methods.
> 
> I know a lot of people dislike Paypal but I'd say for one off payments it 
> and services like it are ideal if the merchant will accept as the merchant 
> doesn't get your card details and cannot make additional charges.

Paypal is good for international payments as there is no fee for a non
GBP payment. Banks have a habit of charging you £1.50 or something for
non sterling payments which on little payments is unacceptable.

Caroline

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