is direct debit mandatory?
 

Just joined up and was wondering is direct debit mandatory like sky or can we simply pay online each month by card?

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

They say it is for when you sign up I think.

Also there is a £5 fee if you don't pay with DD. So its best just to pay that way.

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

Once you're out of contract you can pay it all on-line but as Stephen says there's a £5 surcharge to do so. It does give you the flexibility to pay when funds are available rather than have the money taken at an inconvenient time or get surcharged by the bank.

Here's a related question: If you're out of contract and paying on-line and then enter a new contract can you still pay on-line rather than DD?

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

There's only a surcharge if you don't ask for a [courtesy] discount ;)

I've never paid by DD, and I've never paid a fee

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

It's not about whether you are in contract or not - for cable services most people can choose whether to pay via DD or not. Only in some circumstances will a customer's credit score require them to pay via Direct Debit as part of being accepted for services.

As for the 'inconvenient time', you can usually change the Direct Debit date on cable services to one as close as possible to where you'd want it to come out.

If you've never paid by DD, then you won't notice it. But there is a £5 difference if you pay via Direct Debit compared to if you don't

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

Virgin have done that for a relative, they took it on the 10th of each month by which time money was low. Relative asked if they could move it to the 15th of the month, saying they had money go in that time every month so Virgin moved the date to 22nd. All you need to do is ask them nicely to help out.

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

how long after the bill is generated is the funds taken from the bank?

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

Depends on the billing cycle. For me it's around 20 days - my bill is generated around the 8th of each month and the DD is taken on the 26th.

Re: is direct debit mandatory?
 

Latest bill done on 5th, due on 22nd.