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

[Jason Clifford]

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.

Jason
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