To pay or not to pay

Cardew

Patrick20 wrote: »

wtc76 isn't asking for any free credit just to be billed for the service recieved insead of being asked for money that may not be accurate. What is wrong with that? We all know thats not how it works usually with utility companies but it should.

Sorry but that is exactly how it works with utility companies.

They send you a bill for the gas/electricity you have already received. So everyone paying quarterly is getting up to 4 months free credit.

For some reason SP do not want to give the OP free credit. This is not at all unusual with all companies. Unless they have had a satisfactory credit check on the person, they can insist on a returnable deposit or a prepayment meter.

Seems to me that is sound business practice!

They are not geared up to read meters monthly and produce monthly bills.

1carminestocky

I mean, seriously, which company would be daft enough to send a monthly bill? Pfftt...

Cardew

1carminestocky wrote: »

I mean, seriously, which company would be daft enough to send a monthly bill? Pfftt...

Which you pay by Direct Debit!!!

I am getting worried now Carmine - I am starting to think like you and almost put in a pre-emptive strike!

(Private joke? for those unaware)

littletommytucker

I feel like I must be missing something. Im usually pro energy company, and 1carmine is usually totally opposite, but I have to agree with wtc76 here. He should be getting sent an estimated satement, with a reading he can check, and correct if needs be. But instead is just getting a letter with demands for a random payment. No readings for him to check, he cant even be certain it relates to his meter unless it has the meter serial number on it (which suppliers are legally obliged to provide on statements). But maybe i'm missing something??

Cardew

littletommytucker wrote: »

I feel like I must be missing something. Im usually pro energy company, and 1carmine is usually totally opposite, but I have to agree with wtc76 here. He should be getting sent an estimated satement, with a reading he can check, and correct if needs be. But instead is just getting a letter with demands for a random payment. No readings for him to check, he cant even be certain it relates to his meter unless it has the meter serial number on it (which suppliers are legally obliged to provide on statements). But maybe i'm missing something??

You have missed the irony of 1carmine's post!(there is a very expensive controversial firm - that Carmine loves - that do monthly billing - even more expensive if you don't pay by DD - which the OP does not want)

Surely the point is that the OP is demanding a bespoke billing system be set up for himself because he doesn't like the alternatives.

Assuming that SP are not happy with the OP's credit rating, he has 4 alternatives, Pay by DD, Pay a returnable deposit, pre-pay meter or leave the company.

1carminestocky

Cardew wrote: »

Which you pay by Direct Debit!!!

I am getting worried now Carmine - I am starting to think like you and almost put in a pre-emptive strike!

(Private joke? for those unaware)

LOL. I plan to pay for what I've used each month by variable DD (thereby not incurring the extra cost of not paying by DD but still just paying for what I've used as opposed to what the energy supplier THINKS/WISHES I'd used). Radical, eh? No credit accrued, no debit incurred. If only any of the Big 6 could do this....

wtc76

Cardew, I have a very high credit rating so doubt that has any influence on things. I'm also not asking for my meter to be read every month, that would be silly.

All I want from them, instead of sending me 2 sides of useless information that can be summarised as "please pay us 250 quid, cheers" they just include readings(whether actual or estimated) and unit cost, don't see whats so tricky about that. Just a bit of transparency really is all I'm after. I actually though they were required to do this if asking for payment but clearly not

My electricity usage is sporadic and some months can be 250 and others as low as 20 and this is not due to any seasonal trends. They seem to have done an actual reading soon after I moved in and a few months using 250 worth, they are now projecting this number into the future for the last 3 months even though I know I've only been using low amounts so if I followed these payments I would be handing over 750 knowing I've only used about 90.

Carmine, I have a single DD for rental payments and only because it was compulsory. For me its less about amounts varying and more about maintaining rights to withhold payment. Paying bills takes me about 5-10 minutes a month, its hardly such a great time saver as to be worth giving up those rights for me, just personal choice really.

[Deleted User]

Pay by dd of course, or pay as you go. Anyone can see by reading the bankruptcy board that cutting and running is something to smile about ( not you op )

Why on earth should a utility company provide energy on such a risky basis.

Cardew

wtc76 wrote: »

Cardew, I have a very high credit rating so doubt that has any influence on things. I'm also not asking for my meter to be read every month, that would be silly.

All I want from them, instead of sending me 2 sides of useless information that can be summarised as "please pay us 250 quid, cheers" they just include readings(whether actual or estimated) and unit cost, don't see whats so tricky about that. Just a bit of transparency really is all I'm after. I actually though they were required to do this if asking for payment but clearly not

My electricity usage is sporadic and some months can be 250 and others as low as 20 and this is not due to any seasonal trends. They seem to have done an actual reading soon after I moved in and a few months using 250 worth, they are now projecting this number into the future for the last 3 months even though I know I've only been using low amounts so if I followed these payments I would be handing over 750 knowing I've only used about 90.

Carmine, I have a single DD for rental payments and only because it was compulsory. For me its less about amounts varying and more about maintaining rights to withhold payment. Paying bills takes me about 5-10 minutes a month, its hardly such a great time saver as to be worth giving up those rights for me, just personal choice really.

I don't doubt you have a good credit rating, but for some reason SP are obviously not prepared to offer you several months credit. It is certainly not their normal practice to demand monthly payments.

If you pay by DD they cannot take money that is not agreed from your account. Your DD agreement involves your bank, who will refund without question any payment of which you have not been notified.

The other point is that paying by DD gets you a discount.

As stated above there are several options open to you - which apparently are not acceptable to yourself.