Forum Topic

Upbeat on medical cover, tubes, car and passport.

Amongst the Autumn gloom some good news.  Most of you clever people all know this; but the following may help our Chiswick neighbours.1. We did an online UK passport request 11 days ago @ gov.uk with an online iPhone photo.   No data changes [name / address DOB etc.].  It took eight, maybe nine, minutes. Enter a Telephone number & email address; blah, blah.  It was approved 23rd September by Liverpool Passport Office.   It is being printed today. All tracked by email. One Easy win.2. Better than our dawdling District line, the pleasant Turnham Green way to New Bond Street [NBS] November 6th onwards is Elizabeth Line via Ealing Broadway (maybe 8 minutes).    A step-free one minute walk, then just 14 minutes EB to NBS.   Use Tottenham Court Road stop to Euston; use Farringdon stop (18 minutes) to Gatwick, London Bridge & St. Pancras.   Liverpool Street is five Elizabeth stops from Ealing Broadway!   Woolwich station [9 stops] looks quick if you want London City Airport.3. Tired with our AXA PPP medical cover, we transferred in 2022 direct to BUPA.   We saved £100.00 per month, each, going forwards.  No hassle and same-day transferable UK medical cover.    Explore it online.4. I cancelled my Three wi-fi contract in July.  This month they requested more money.   They inefficiently “forgot” to cancel my DD.   My bank say it is their responsibility, not mine.  Anyway, I stopped the DD.    Always check cancelled contract suppliers have ceased the DD charges made to your Bank.5. We sold an old car due to ULEZ. There were tears.  We saved £1,200 + in MOT, repairs & insurance, DVLA and Hounslow costs.   We use tube / taxis - as needed.   We now have one car.  Another win.I am bored with the vituperation and denunciation in many postings.   Time we were better to each other.   If you want the comparison cost medical website name, you’ll have to ask me nicely; by giving a contact point - a phone to which I can text.

Peter Crowther ● 552d47 Comments

Direct DebitsFrom the Banking Ombudsman site"banking - direct debit guaranteeDirect debits are now a major part of daily life, with many people using them each month to pay their household bills. The direct debit guarantee is a powerful safeguard for customers. So it's important that firms make sure their staff understand its provisions.Unfortunately, many do not. Here are some of the things firms have told customers (incorrectly) when problems have arisen:'We don't operate the direct debit guarantee.''You'll have to contact the originating company for a refund.''We need a month's notice to cancel a direct debit.''The guarantee doesn't apply - because you haven't suffered a loss.'If you pay by standing order, it is up to your bank to send the payment. If you pay by direct debit, it is up to the payee's bank to call for the payment, but you will rightly look to your own bank/building society to ensure the smooth running of any direct debits. Mistakes and errors are covered by the direct debit guarantee.The direct debit guarantee applies to all banks and building societies taking part in the direct debit scheme. It says that:If there is a change in the amount to be paid or the payment date, the person receiving the payment (the originator) must notify the customer in advance. If the originator or the bank/building society makes an error, the customer is guaranteed a full and immediate refund of the amount paid.Customers can cancel a direct debit at any time by writing to their bank or building society "Your bank will get the money back from the bank of the person that raised the direct debit.  Some banks don't do it quickly, so remind them of the "full and immediate" terms of the Direct Debit Guarantee

James Roy ● 549d