BT: If You Don't Like Direct Debit And Pay By Cash, Beware Of The Charges!

LouLou

I know that the only way to avoid the Payment Charge is to sign up for Direct Debit. As I'm a longstanding customer who always pays on time, which I'm sure the majority are, it doesn't seem very fair.

BT aren't the only company pushing Direct Debits as their favoured payment option, but I resent being blackmailed into doing so.

It's interesting that you reckon a single Paypoint/Post Office payment doesn't cost £4.50 (to process?) more than a Direct Debit, KimYeovil. It would be good to have a definitive answer on that point.

KimYeovil

It's not fair but it makes business sense. And MoneySavingExpert.com would not exist if consumers only shopped at businesses who were fair.

You are right that it is blackmail - but look at the brouhaha when British Gas tried the opposite (charging £5 to those who pay late). There are too many good customers who occasionally do not pay on time that companies do not want to scare away.

And to the 'it's your choice' apologists, it is not much of a choice when the alternative results in a 27% surcharge.

jhp

At least BT offer a good choice of payment methods unlike some other suppliers who insist on dd.

Their is always Post Office Homephone who charge the same for all forms of payments.