Bills arrive late - can't use discount

laubri9

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but when searched couldn't find what I was after.

Our gas and electricity supplier (Southern for both) offer a 'prompt payment discount' if we pay quickly, usually around one week, maybe 10 calender days after the date stated on the bill.

However we can never take advantage of that 'offered discount', as we never actually receive the bills in enough time. They usually arrive in the post on or after the final day allowed to take advantage of the discount.

If they are so keen to get paid, why can't they do something about getting the bills to us in reasonable time. I suspect they 'generate' the bills one day (the issue date), but they don't get sent out straight away, and then go on the cheapest and slowest post service.

We have also had other problems, where have been charged late fees, because haven't actually received the bills.

I know that Royal Mail have become very hopeless in terms of their deliveries, but surely the companies sending out the bills should take into account the time it is actually taking for them to be delivered.

Is this a widespread issue? And what suggestions to people have?

I don't won't to go down the direct debit route, because too many bad experiences myself and of friends who have the companies stealing by taking out too much payment before you have a chance to see the bill.

KimYeovil

Are you sure it's Royal Mail and not TNT? My Royal Mail still arrives on time but TNT post always takes one to two weeks.

I agree that the time limits should be changed. But the Government and unions are united in their attempts to destroy our universal service.

Do you have access to an on-line account? Can you do an approximate calculation and pay the money yourself the week before the quarterly bill is due? With most companies paying in advance should not alter your discount - you'll get the full amount according to your useage credited to your account.

custardy

KimYeovil wrote: »

Are you sure it's Royal Mail and not TNT? My Royal Mail still arrives on time but TNT post always takes one to two weeks.

I agree that the time limits should be changed. But the Government and unions are united in their attempts to destroy our universal service.

Do you have access to an on-line account? Can you do an approximate calculation and pay the money yourself the week before the quarterly bill is due? With most companies paying in advance should not alter your discount - you'll get the full amount according to your useage credited to your account.

TNT mail still comes via RM
however TNT get greater discounts if they send their mail into the RM 'stream' in bulk
i would never suggest they delay mail to get that discount

Magentasue

Can you not sign up for online billing? You should be able to see the bill within a day or so of it being generated

Pink_fluff

Have you called southern electric to explain? For all the discount is (to them), it should be no problem for them to knock it off your bill. Albeit more hassle, at least you'll get the discount.

edgex

Pay by DD
most suppliers offer you a discount to do so, & you havnt got to keep track of whether youve had the bill, paid it etc


as for sending out 'date sensitive' items, they should start the counting period from the day after the date the letter was generated
eg if letter printed & posted on a monday, start counting from the tuesday, or even the wednesday.

elaina79

I hate DD's as well, so I pay by bank transfer. If you can get your accounts online it should show when the payment is due, that way you should be able to pay the bill before they actually send it out.

laubri9

Thanks for the responses. Hadn't considered the online billing aspect, looks like could be the option for me.

I really want to avoid paying by DD. They take your money first, then its a long hassle to get the refund when they have taken the wrong amount. Too much previous experience of companies 'double processing' and all sorts of other errors - the money's gone from you account and then you end up in big trouble because can't pay the other bills, and you get all the banks charges etc on top.

Magentasue

Ie never had problems with DD but accept that others have. But online doesn't have to mean DD. With some accounts, you get the discount if you pay by standing order, which you may prefer because only you can change it.