Mis-sold gardening magazine

[Aberdeenplotter]

Way back in October, I had a phone call from someone at Garden News magazine during the course of which I was offered 4 free copies of the magazine. I had previously subscribed to the magazine but cancelled the subscription because I just wasn't reading the magazine and found myself with a pile of unopened envelopes.. Something for nothing thought I so I agreed to take the 4 free copies. I was asked for my bank info but was absolutely assured that no monies would be taken from my bank account without further contact from the magazine

After the 4 free copies, the magazine continued to drop through my letter box and on checking my bank account the other day I found that my bank account had been debited without my authority.

I have taken this up with the magazine yet despite making them aware that I had not agreed to purchase their magazine, they are treating it as a sale and refusing to give me a refund.

I've threatened to report them to Trading Standards and to make the situation known on the Forums of which I am a member and also to all members of The NVS of which I am on the committee of Scottish Branch.

Any other suggestions please?

[taff]

There should be a recording of a phone call that you made where they said they wouldn't take money off you.
Tell them to find it .

[Mikey]

As the saying goes there's no such thing as a free lunch. What they probably should have said was that after 4 issues you could cancel if you weren't happy. Over zealous salesman by the sounds of things. I'd push for the recording also.

[zazen999]

I'll bet there was terms and conditions that you had to cancel by X date if you didn't want to continue.

Is it a direct debit they have set up?

[Aberdeenplotter]

They say it is a direct debit but I most certainly did not agree to that. Was absolutely assured there would be further contact before any money was taken.

Good point re recording of conversation guys. I'll ask for that.

[zazen999]

A direct debit has a guarantee and if you speak to your bank and ask how to go about getting that DD repaid and deleted you should be able to get your money back.

Did you sign a DD authorisation ever?

[veggiechicken]

I don't imagine this helps but this is from their subscription website
Greatmagazines.co.uk | Offer Terms and Conditions
Direct Debit trial offers
Some Direct Debit offers have a reduced price for a trial period. This will be for a variable number of issues depending upon the magazine. The issues you receive during this trial period are covered by your first Direct Debit payment. You can cancel the subscription (your next Direct Debit payment) at any time during this trial period. However, once the 2nd payment has been claimed from your bank account the subscription will be for a minimum of 12 months in duration, even if the frequency of payment is for a shorter period (for example, quarterly). In accordance with the Direct Debit Guarantee below, you will still have the right to cancel your Direct Debit if you so desire. If you do cancel, you will receive only the issues you have already paid for. If a gift is included as part of the subscription offer, we reserve the right to request the return of the gift/value of the gift in the event of an early cancellation of the subscription.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Did you sign a DD authorisation ever?

I may have done so before my previous subscription but can't remember. Certainly didn't on this occasion

[veggiechicken]

But you cancelled your original subscription I assume, and there was an interval between stopping one and accepting the "free" offer?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Thanks VC but the approach came direct from the magazine. I was not given these terms and conditions and I was not told it was a trial offer. I was offered the magazines because I had previously had a subscription. There was no mention whatever of me making any decision about anything before the contact they said would be made before money was taken from my bank account.

[Aberdeenplotter]

But you cancelled your original subscription I assume, and there was an interval between stopping one and accepting the "free" offer?

absolutely

[VirginVegGrower]

This is like Sky TV. We will give you movies free for three months over Christmas and guess what we had to do yesterday? Yes, ring them and cancel a subscription we never agreed to. They had charged us for three months half price at the end of what was supposed to be three months FREE with no obligation. Scamming by any other name.

[mothhawk]

There should be a recording of a phone call that you made where they said they wouldn't take money off you.
Tell them to find it .

They will have "lost" it.

[veggiechicken]

The smart way to pay - Setting up a Direct Debit
Have a look at this^^^ Ap. I'm not going to attempt to explain it but the company should have sent you written details of the DD with 3 days of the telephone call or 10 days prior to the first debit being collected from your account. There is more.........

[northepaul]

Thats disgusting, but I cant say I'm surprised about it.

I was offered a free issue of a well known cooking magazine recently - all I had to do was ring up to claim it.....but (and here's the catch) I couldnt have it until I had given them my bank details....the rat was very smelly that day!

Just dont trust anyone who rings up for you, ever.
(oh and go and see your bank about getting your money back )