direct debits

Hi lynne The government are about to legislate to reduce the number of tariffs energy companies can charge. But nobody knows how it is going to pan out yet.
That is a lot extra isn't it. People without computers, bank accounts and on prepayment meters pay the most. It reflects the cost to the company of collecting the money. But it penalises poorer and older customers to have a structure like this.
Just a question - I presume you can get an online bill as you are here, online, in GN?
The health minister is terribly keen (this week) on having us consult our doctors via email and other electronic means. Again - not really useful for the poorest and oldest members of society Mr Hunt.
www.margaretmccartney.com/blog/

I pay everything by DD but that is simply my choice. I cannot understand why anyone should be penalised for paying by other means.

Hi Jess M yes I can receive online bills but no longer in a position to pay by monthly direct debit although I have previously throughout my life....just don't think people should be penalised...eg my 82 year old Mum who's never accessed a computer in her life

Surely some people who are not online can pay by direct debit set up with their bank?

Yes it is one of the hidden ways in which it is more expensive to be poor!

Of course you are right phoenix.
Paying by direct debit reduces the costs to the company of collecting payment and I don't see anything wrong with the companies passing the savings on to their customers - I think we would probably all be complaining if they didn't.

I use direct debits because I find them convenient, but I don't think the additional charges for not using direct debits reflect the true costs incurred. Companies are loading these charges in order to increase their profits and to bully people into using direct debits.

Another thing to consider is if the company concerned don't supply a pre paid envelope, it will cost 50p to send a cheque to them.

Even if they do provide a prepaid envelope, there will be a cost to them, which they will pass on to us in some way or another!

Of course, if you are lucky enough to still have a post office, you can go there and present the bill and either cash or a cheque, but speaking as someone living in a village which lost it's post office last year, this isn't always practical.

Barrow thank you...................

I go to the bank and pay the account but the company still charge me £5 because it's not direct debited. It's nothing to do with the cost incurred...

And it's not a poverty issue...my concern in the main is for the elderly out there who have no access and have no desire at their age to learn computing skills but are still penalised because of this. It is too soon for companies to be dictating that this is the way we must pay our bills!

lynne that does seem unfair. You mentioned that you are no longer in a position to pay by direct debit, have you contacted the company concerned and explained this to them and argued your case?

Another invisible cost is in my opinion sending someone round to check the meter reading when they have asked for and received one online. the meter reader says it kaaps him in work but presumably we pay for it ultimately

Stansgran that happened last week...said I've sent it online..t meter reader said I hear that all the time....