Can you pick the date of a direct debit payment?

Hi I'm wondering if companies/banks have to let you set a date of direct debit payments? I know you can request they are taken out on a certain date and most companies i have set them up with are fine with the dates i have chosen (just after pay day obv), however Virgin Media seem to have a problem with it. Despite several phone calls and being told each time "yes its not set up for x date, beginning next month", next month never seems to come and it is always taken just before i get paid.


I've tried looking on the net for info but i cant seem to find any, does any one know if companies have to agree to a date you choose or are they in control?





Thanks

Can you pick the date of a direct debit payment?
Well, you should be able to ask the company to pick a date agreeable to you, but sometimes it doesn't go quite according to plan. If it regularly comes out on a date which you don't want it to, I'd cancel the direct debit and set up a standing order, which you control (of course, this is only suitable for a regular, recurring payment for a fixed amount)
Reply:some companies will let you others only have set dates, there is no harm in asking the company when you set up dd with them





but if youve set up a date it should go out on that date the only time it might come out earlier is if it lands on a weekend or bank holiday when the banks are closed for business
Reply:Direct debits are applied for by the Originator company- in this case Virgin Media- via BACS and debit your account around 3 working days later. If they specify a date for collection, they will start the collection process 3 days before the debit date which can be any time in the month for most companies, usually a date that they set-this can usually be moved for your own convenience although this depends on the company.


They can only debit monies on or after the agreed date and need to give you 14 days notice of any amounts to be collected.


I had massive problems setting up a Direct debit with VM- the staff had very little understanding of how Direct debit works- I think this may be a training issue with that particular company. If I were you, I'd ask to speak to someone senior when dealing with Direct debits for Virgin media or you could be in for a massive headache.
Reply:if you know when it comes out you just have to leave the money in there to pay it! so whats the problem
Reply:as a general rule the first payment comes out approx 1 month after the agreement is started, you can then change the payment date to any date of the month and there will be a one-off adjustment
Reply:All my direct debits come out on the 1st of the month you get to choose a date when you set the D/D up but virgin media take their money on the 25th i cant get them to change it either so i leave enough money in for them to take the payment on the 25th
Reply:I think you can pick what week it comes out (like whether its the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th week) but i don't think you can specify a particular date
Reply:you should be able to pick a date .it does not really matter long as the money gets there.cause you are saving on the paper work. This V.M.place seems to be giving you the run around, you should call the manager and speak directly to them and find out just whats going down.
Reply:yes you can, when you go onto your checking account on line it will or should ask you for that and you can enter in the date and it should also ask you if this is a one time debit or will it be monthly on this date. Hope this helps you
Reply:yes definately I do it for the morgage