Supplier backdating invoices_borked

[ladymuck]

Just a sense check...

I recently signed up to FTTH internet via Hey!Broadband.

The first invoice was a pro-rata one and I didn't really think much of it being issued on the 10th of the month while the invoice date was the 1st. Supply started on the 7th.

The second month's invoice has just been issued and once again it was sent on the 10th and dated the 1st. It also says that payment is due 10 days after the invoice date, making it immediately due for payment on receipt.

Payment is by direct debit so I'm being given about 3 days' notice of payment being collected. Seeing as the first invoice was a new instruction and the second had a different amount, I'm supposed to have had 10 days' notice under the Direct Debit Guarantee (which I am given to understand is less useful than a chocolate teapot).

So, my question is: is it ok for a company to issue invoices and backdate them 10 days and make them immediately due for payment? I hesitate to do the "I don't like it, so it must be illegal" whine yet it definitely feels dishonest.

I have gone back to them to express my discomfort by this practice. I don't have an issue with paying for the service, and the invoices are for the correct amount. I just feel that backdating is underhand in some way and I don't see why it takes them 10 days to issue a fixed price invoice.

EDIT: for some reason, adding _borked to the subject line made this post accessible

[hobnob]

It sounds iffy to me, assuming that these invoices are being sent by email (rather than being delayed in the post).

That said, I've seen some companies which issue invoices and say "Payment due on receipt" (i.e. same day), so there's no practical difference between that and backdating a week with 1 week's notice.

[malvolio]

Sounds more sloppy than malicious. Invoices have two dates legally, the issued date and the VAT point which is the date of supply. They can be conflated of course, but you cant backdate the day of supply. Someone at their end hasn't studied their tax law properly...

[ladymuck]

Thanks Mal, that makes sense. If they deign to reply, I'll mention it!

[Keanu2020]

Sound like HMRC, all their demands for money seem to have a date weeks before it arrives so you are left with just days to get advice and pay. And no, I don't think HMRC is sloppy, its by design. On Broadband, I had the same, also was really grey area on cancelling, you would assume its 14 days after installed, but they count it from when you place the order online and they take payment. Install was more than 14 days after payment and went wrong, and they said no right to cancel or return. Basically said take us to court if disagree. Personally, I find mobile and broadband not great buying experiences, and billing really vague and hard to get fixed.