the way that operates pisses me off
we resisted direct debit for ages. My mrs would argue with people from the company when they suggested we do it, and eventually argued so much that they just let her dictate how much we paid. been working fine so far
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:25, 2 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

You have always been able to dictate how much you pay.
That's your right as a direct debit setter upperer.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:28, Reply)

they try and make you pay more though
they seemed quite stubborn about it
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:29, Reply)

You're being very reasonable today

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:30, Reply)

If you want to alter a DD, do you not have to set up a new one?
Or use a standing order instead?
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:31, Reply)

No phone them up
and explain to them patiently that you are allowed to dictate how much you pay under a direct debit and that you want to change it back to the amount it was.

As long as the amount you previously paid was reasonable i.e. after this last bill your account should be zero, or more likely just very slightly in credit, then they can't object. If you are in debit then they will up it as the terms of the direct debit are that you overpay in the summer to come back to zero in the winter.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:35, Reply)

You're like a one-man Which? magazine.

( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:59, Reply)

Which? magazine idiot
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 10:07, Reply)

I'm losing the energy to argue.
There's been a recent Ofgem ruling that they can't hold huge amounts of people's money though, so I might wait til the next bill to show it's an excessive sum to collect, and then bitch about their money-grabbing asses.

Alternatively, I might just pay it as I'll probably have to keep the house at a temperature approaching bearable next winter. Damn babies are so demanding, wanting things like warmth.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:29, Reply)

use the pregnancy card
they'll back down soon enough
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:30, Reply)

If it's over 100 quid then most will automatically credit it, but some you need to chase.
If it's less than 100 quid you don't really have much chance of getting it back, especially in the summer.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 16 Apr 2010, 9:36, Reply)