I cancelled my direct debit to eBay for my sellers fees last month, because I had money in my Paypal account and figured I would settle the bill manually using Paypal from now on. So, I cancelled the DD with the bank, as is my legal right under the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Next thing I know, I’m receiving my monthly sellers invoice, and eBay have added an extra fiver for an “unpaid direct debit”. I obviously queried this, and got the usual stock reply that didn’t address any of my queries, from an eBay employee with less than half a brain cell. I further queried and was told that I have to cancel my DD with eBay not the bank. Erm…..no, actually I don’t. Under the Direct Debit Guarantee I can cancel a DD with bank and I am not obliged to inform the originator at all.

eBay next told me that my bank, Lloyds TSB had returned the item unpaid and charged eBay £5 for the privilege. What?! If Lloyds return an item unpaid, they charge me NOT the originator, and fee is £35. I naturally phoned Lloyds TSB, who informed me categorically that they never make a charges such as this and that eBay were lieing. Read more »