Monthly Bills

Zebra

Are there any electricity and gas suppliers that will send a bill each month as opposed to quarterly?

Thanks.

factoryworker

i believe Eon have just begun doing so but you need to check

Zebra

Thanks factoryworker.

Gerrard_8_lfc

BG energysmart £40 credit for joining and a electric monitor.

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi Zebra,

Factoryworker is right, from the 22 September 2009 monthly billing has been put in place for all new customers, residential and business. This change only applies to customers opting for the On Demand payment method.

Brian

Zebra

Thanks Brian and Stevie G.

factoryworker

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Brian wrote: »

Hi Zebra,

Factoryworker is right, from the 22 September 2009 monthly billing has been put in place for all new customers, residential and business. This change only applies to customers opting for the On Demand payment method.

Brian

what Brian didn't say was that you won't receive the direct debit discount because you pay on demand, but that said if you pay promptly you (14 days ?Brian will clarify) you still get a discount.

to be fair to Brian, MSE rules probably prevent him from posting this under 'touting' guidelines

the BG deal mention by gerrard IS by variable Direct Debit and my understanding is usual DD discounts apply (dobtless Gerrard will confirm that too).

I feel, notwithstanding the environment etc., that monthly bills will help customers to budget/plam more clearly, and crucially make realise what there using and look to address the causes; this will result in less impact on the environment than a quadrupling of letters, as well as reduced bills. This recent intitiative is a welcome one, prompted both by customer research and regulator pressure, a rare example of energy companies listening to their customers.

I await the day that one energy company has the bravery to reduce dual rates and instigates a single rate for gas and a single rate for electricty, thus fulfilling another big customer request - for clearer simpler bills

KimYeovil

factoryworker wrote: »

I await the day that one energy company has the bravery to reduce dual rates and instigates a single rate for gas and a single rate for electricty, thus fulfilling another big customer request - for clearer simpler bills

Unilaterally increasing what they charge their customers - yes, that would take bravery. What a foolish idea.

Zebra

Thanks Factory worker - I appreciate that such a payment method wouldn't have a direct debit discount.

I look after the financial affairs of a disabled person and we've had a lot of struggle over the last couple of years with debts and utility payments, which culminated in her bank closing her account due to the Setting Off procedure.

We've managed to open another basic bank account, but she is wary of having any more direct debits in case it puts her further into debt, and quarterly bills are too large to be paid at once.

The outstanding bills have finally been paid and so we are looking to change providers and hopefully start afresh.

Brian - she already has electricity supplied by yourselves, if we ring up customer services will they be able to transfer her to monthly billing, and will the tariff change?

To give credit to Eon - when we rang them to inform them of the closure of the bank account they were very helpful and understanding and gave her an extra few weeks to pay the bill, and sent a payment card if we needed it :T.
Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for British Gas - so unless Gerrard's suggestion is particularly better value we'll be looking to Eon for gas aswell.

factoryworker

KimYeovil wrote: »

Unilaterally increasing what they charge their customers - yes, that would take bravery. What a foolish idea.

why would they have to unilalaterally increase the charge?

factoryworker

Zebra wrote: »

I look after the financial affairs of a disabled person and we've had a lot of struggle over the last couple of years with debts and utility payments, which culminated in her bank closing her account due to the Setting Off procedure.

We've managed to open another basic bank account, but she is wary of having any more direct debits in case it puts her further into debt, and quarterly bills are too large to be paid at once..

Zebra, caring for someone is one of the most underrated contributions people make to society- i take my hat off to you for care and understanding.

with regard to basic bank accounts, your obviously on the ball; my experiences of the COOP and Nationwide basic a/c's is excellent; totally understand your reticence to go the way of DD's, but your obviously aware it will cost a little more, but thats a trade of for control you perceive worth paying. Coulod you not set the DD up from YOUR account so there is constant awarenesss of payments/fuel cost, but maximising discounts? Most energy companies will accept a third party DD, especially as customer (or household) includes a disabled occupant; with regard.

You didn't say who your current energy suppliers are but you suggest elec with e.on and gas with BG; generally speaking (but not always) dual fuel with the same supplier is best; you've been quite frank about respective service from both companies, and you should not let lowest cost clud this judgement; i'm all for customers paying the lowest cost, but i do believe good service is not only worth paying for, but good service costs.

Brian wll hopefully clarify eon stance.

Irrespective of supplier, i would explore 'social tarifs'; different companies have different criteria, and a disabled customer if they receive certain benefits would make you eligble for this (other criteria dependant); the importance of this is there social tarifs often don't differentiate (penalise) for different payment methods, but they frequently require that you have both fuels with same supplier; if there is someone over 60 in household also consider eons staywarm plan; not neccesarily the cheapest but does provide a totally fixed 12 month price which would help with budgeting (see MSE staywarm thread).

whoever supplies you, 1, ring them and ask about their social tarifs, 2) ask if they have a special needs register (a licence obligation) and make sure your on it (this ensures the distributor is aware there is a disabled customer and will priorite in the instance of power loss etc), and 3) ask the simple question: Am i on the cheapest/best tarif for my needs? You will be surrised at the number of customers on energy companies 'standard rate' who could be on slightly cheaper rates without fixes/penalties/restrictions.

you mention you have dealt with debts, but i guess there is still some overhang; do not forget, or be shy, to seek out grants to help (i'm sure you won't); most energy companies have grant funds to help pay their gas debts etc, and so do some water companies; also explore charities for the disabled for help, as well as costs support towards addapting home for a disabled person etc; there are numerous bodies to help specialised conditions, and also if your disabled dependant was in or related to a serviceman there is help there. There is a lot of help, and sometimes not just financial but in terms of befriending services and companuonship

finally, you have been frank, both negative and positive, but not moaning about your experience of energy companies. In my experience they get blamed for everything and the credit for nothing, so credit to you. Go0d luck with whoever you choose