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Original poster

to be angry and upset re: virgin wines

105 replies

bonnieweelass · 29/10/2018 19:54

I've used a lesser known username as I feel so stupid, how could I have missed this?

For context, I have disabilities. I've only recently gotten into digital banking although I use paypal for most purchases. i have a good income and spend too much on clothes etc but have never been overdrawn.

I was looking at my paypal account and I see that for the past THREE years, I've been paying virgin wines £25 a month!

I did not sign up to any subscription. I only bought one case of wine as a present a while back.

I don't know what to do. Can I do anything? I feel so bloody stupid for not noticing and i think this is a wake up call to be more careful with my spending.

I'm in tears. The total over these years is £850!!!

What can I do?

Help me, my husband wil kill me

OP posts:
Original poster
bonnieweelass · 29/10/2018 20:11

thanks MNHQ for username fix

even if I have £850 in their 'bank' that I can use now...I don't bloody drink and I dont' want to go and get £850 worth of wine for xmas presents. I just want that money back.

DH is out...going to see if he can phone but they might be closed.

Hoping he will know what to do as he works in a finance related role. But he'll still be mad I didn't notice.

OP posts:
Sweetheart1313 · 29/10/2018 20:13

Why do you need to speak to your husband? Do what everyone has recommended and call them! It sounds like a straightforward problem to fix.

Sparklesocks · 29/10/2018 20:14

It might be worth combing through your PayPal and all your accounts to check you are aware of all of your direct debts. My partner ended up playing the tv license of a house he moved out of for about 9 months after he left because he had it attached to a small savings account he rarely checked. It happens! And they refunded him.

They might be able to refund your ‘credit’ too. However as it’s your account and not your husband’s they might need to talk to you directly.

DeborahDowner · 29/10/2018 20:15

We have used them before & their customer service has always been excellent and extremely helpful. Phone them and chat it through. As PPs have said, If no wine has been going anywhere, you’re in for a windfall and that’s only good, right? Smile

JosellaPlayton · 29/10/2018 20:16

Just phone them yourself tomorrow?! If it’s your name on the account they probably won’t speak to him anyway.

category12 · 29/10/2018 20:23

Why would your dh be mad? It's a mistake, could happen to anyone. You'll get the money back, I'm sure. Chill. Is your dh some kind of angry dickhead?

MrsStrowman · 29/10/2018 20:24

OP I'm sure it's fine, bit concerned about your fear of your DHs reaction and reliance on him to sort it out. As PPs have said it's your account so they'll need to speak to you, give them a call, explain you are teetotal and do not want alcohol in your home, I'm sure they'll refund you. It would be very bad PR for them to force alcohol on someone who doesn't drink and they'll know that.

eddielizzard · 29/10/2018 20:32

It's a mistake. It's your money. He has no right to be angry with you. You are already upset about it. Call them up and explain, and see what they can do.

Kewqueue · 29/10/2018 20:33

If it makes you feel any better OP, my DH spent a similar amount on a phone line in an empty house - that we thought he had cancelled. It sounds like you have a chance of getting it back - good luck!

YearOfYouRemember · 29/10/2018 20:38

Good luck getting it back, Op.

Pineappleunder · 29/10/2018 20:40

I used to work in a wine selling call centre and we had things like this happen all the time (thanks marketing team.)

Even as just a call centre worker I had the authority to cancel / refund.

As this has been going on for longer than just a few months, expect to be passed to management before a refund is authorised but I truly expect it to all work out fine OP.

MongerTruffle · 29/10/2018 20:40

www.virginwines.co.uk/terms-and-conditions
"We will gladly refund the outstanding balance of any money you have paid into your account"
Just give them a call or send an email. It sounds like it'll be very easy to fix.
0343 224 1001
[email protected]

PurpleOctober · 29/10/2018 20:43

I can't understand how you didn't notice for three years?

That aside, give them a call. It's all you can do.

amserdeffro · 29/10/2018 20:43

If they quibble over giving you a refund it would be worth stating that you're a vulnerable customer (due to disabilities). As a payments originator they are very likely to have a vulnerable customer policy that could help you achieve a more favourable outcome. Vulnerable from a financial perspective can be anything from disabilities, illness, bereavement, major life changes etc...

Original poster
bonnieweelass · 29/10/2018 20:43

DH has emailed them (phone line closed). He was okay about it, actually more mad at them than me but did say I should have read the T&C but I wouldn't have missed anything that referred to a subscription so they couldn't have made it clear.

I hope I do get the money back. I have no need for wine! If I don't then I'm going to be really depressed about that £850 for a while.

I guess the only silver lining is the fact I am so careful with my money means I am not really worse off if I dont get it back, but the money would definitely help with christmas and holiday costs.

OP posts:
PurpleOctober · 29/10/2018 20:44

If they refuse a refund you could go to your local paper or even the nationals, this would definitely be a story they're interested in and the publicity would probably force their hand.

FishesThatFly · 29/10/2018 20:45

If you can type to us on here, you can email them requesting a refund. I have confidence in you OP!!

Feefeetrixabelle · 29/10/2018 20:46

Just did a google of them and it’s nothing to panic about op. You just have to give them a ring and they will refund the lot. So a silly mistake easily rectified.

ALemonyPea · 29/10/2018 20:46

Fingers crossed you get a refund. £850 is a massive amount.

YouCanCallMeJodieWho · 29/10/2018 20:47

Call them tomorrow, or email if you need a paper trail, and ask for all your money back.

Someone has said Virgin do 'wine interest'. If there is some of that why don't you ask if you can use that to send some Christmas presents to friends who do drink wine?

If they don't refund you then you can name and shame them for misleading marketing.

Waffles80 · 29/10/2018 20:47

I cancelled my Specsavers contact lense subscription and didn’t notice I’d still been paying £15 a month for a number of years. Contacted them and they refunded me immediately. It was just before Christmas too. Handy timing!

I am sure Virgin wines will refund you.

Original poster
bonnieweelass · 29/10/2018 20:48

I'm deaf, visually impaired, mental health problems and some other issues, so yes I do rely on DH for a lot of things. I do a lot of online shopping as I am limited in the things I can do (however I work because my employer is inclusive).

So I can't call them but DH has emailed and given them his number.

I'm still shaking though. More because I can't believe I did not notice before. I feel so stupid.

OP posts:
Essexgirlupnorth · 29/10/2018 20:48

I cancelled my Virgin wine bank due to being pregnant and cutting out unnecessary expenses prior to maternity leave and they refunded it minus the 20% interest they add.
They have also been good when there have been mistakes with orders previously.

category12 · 29/10/2018 20:51

It'll be fine, OP. You'll get the money back and it'll be a nice pot of money to have some fun with.

Original poster
bonnieweelass · 29/10/2018 20:51

I shall report back on the outcome of the email. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome. Will have a few sleepless nights until then.

OP posts: