Am I just gullible or have I been scammed?

Please consider contacting your bank to stop all future transactions to this company. It may be a genuine clerical mistake of they are scamming you.
Either way you need the banks support to try and gain a refund.

cancel direct debit till it's clarified.

If you didn't agree to this company taking out the £516 - and it sound like you didn't - ask your bank to refund it under the Direct Debit guarantee scheme. The scheme rules include that the organisation taking the DD will notify you 10 working days in advance of a change to the amount being taken. If an error is made, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund.

1. Cancel your direct debit

2. Find an email for them if you can and detail your complaint in writing

3. Ask bank to refund if you are clear you did not agree to payment

All of the above and check with CA B if it’s a genuine company doesn’t sound right to me at all

How often are you paying the £86 anyway? I have always viewed extended warranty type insurance as a total rip off.

Germanshepherdsmum

How often are you paying the £86 anyway? I have always viewed extended warranty type insurance as a total rip off.

Agree. U never take it.
You need to contacf bank asap.

U I

Yes...forget phoning them, they sound incompetent at the least. Get onto whoever you paid through. So bank or credit card, and cancel the whole thing while you’re there.

Good advice above and don't take out extended warranties. They are often a rip off.

Germanshepherdsmum

How often are you paying the £86 anyway? I have always viewed extended warranty type insurance as a total rip off.

Yes, I agree.

Better to put that money to one side for repair or replacement.

Last year we and some neighbours were phoned about renewing our washing machine warranty; neither of us had taken out extended warranties.

Check out this firm online and perhaps you can complain to the Ombudsman as well as your bank, minimoon.

Do check the terms of the original £86 policy before you cancel that dd. You don’t want to be in breach of contract by cancelling the payment earlier than the policy entitles you to end it, but for goodness sake do terminate it as soon as you are allowed to. And just call out a repair man if anything goes wrong, which in my experience is very rarely. You’ll be quids in.

Under EU law ( remember that?) all appliances had an automatic 3 year warranty I believe, although most manufacturers advertised as 2 years. My question, when buying an appliance is always 'Is it going to break down in the next five years or so? If it is I don't want to buy it, if it isn't, then I don't need a warranty'. When we moved into this house 11 years ago, and did extensive renovations, we bought two new ovens, hob, etc., and touch wood not one of them has broken down. These warranties are not worth their money. So, I would suggest, as others have done, that you contact your bank, and cancel your DD.

Many years ago I worked for Hoover. We were told to push the warranties as that will pay your pension
I’ve never had one because ( once again from Hoover) if something is going to go wrong chances are it will be in the first year.

GillT57

Under EU law ( remember that?) all appliances had an automatic 3 year warranty I believe, although most manufacturers advertised as 2 years. My question, when buying an appliance is always 'Is it going to break down in the next five years or so? If it is I don't want to buy it, if it isn't, then I don't need a warranty'. When we moved into this house 11 years ago, and did extensive renovations, we bought two new ovens, hob, etc., and touch wood not one of them has broken down. These warranties are not worth their money. So, I would suggest, as others have done, that you contact your bank, and cancel your DD.

John Lewis offers free extended warranties but then tries to wriggle out of it if anything goes wrong.
They claim that the warranties are from the manufacturer, not them, and are repair only, not replacement.
It takes an enormous amount of perseverance to get anywhere with them.

Homeshield Direct - Check the Google reviews.

I've just done that and it all bad reviews. One review (8 months ago) comments on £516 being take from their bank instead of £172!

I hope you have cancelled the DD Minimoon.

The best extended warranty I ever had was for a car. It was for two years. Over that period the car would have cost me nearly £2000 in repairs. The warranty was £350.

Yes I think there’s a big difference in an extended warranty for a car and one for a household appliance muse. The possible repair costs can’t be compared. Good call.

Just to update you all. I rang customer services again this afternoon and was assured that I will have my refund by Thursday or Friday. She also cancelled the 2nd plan.
As a back up I also emailed them.
My DH has stopped the direct debit with the bank.

I will make a real nuisance of myself if I have any more funny business from them!

I've never had appliances cover. It just doesn't make financial sense. You'll pay more than you benefit, on average, as you're paying for their staff.

Save something, maybe the same amount, in case something breaks down (after it's guarantee period) instead.

I never take appliances cover, it's a rip off.

I don't pay for any appliance cover, washing machine 8 years old, dish washer, microwave, electric cooker, fridge freezer all over 6 years old. I've not had any issues with any of these appliances.
The only warranty I have is for the TV and this came with the TV, an included warranty for 6 years parts and labour.
When your guarantee finishes you'll have companies contact you, I never take out the cover it is always far too expensive.

Never had any insurances for household appliances
I do need a new tumble dryer I had it second hand 10 years ago so it’s earned a rest

A couple of years ago I received a phone call from a company claiming to be Domestic & General, the caller asked if I wanted to extend the policy on my washing machine, they quoted the make and model too. However, I no longer had that machine and I hadn't even bought a policy when I did have it; I had moved house and left my old washer behind. I cottoned on straight away and went along with the conversation asking for as much information as possible, callers name etc.
I ended the call stating that I wasn't in a position to make any decisions at that time. After ending the call I immediately called Domestic & General to ask to speak to xxxxx, guess what, she didn't work there! Well, what a surprise......not!