Direst Debit

ramarken

My Step Daughter is on low income and has Sky TV, she recently took advantage of one of their offers but as she like to keep ahead of her accounts did not want to pay by Direct Debit, but Sky will charge her £4.00 on top of her package if she doesn't pay by Direct Debit.
Is this fair, surely she has the right to decide which way to pay and not be penalised !

Jake'sGran

ramarken wrote:

My Step Daughter is on low income and has Sky TV, she recently took advantage of one of their offers but as she like to keep ahead of her accounts did not want to pay by Direct Debit, but Sky will charge her £4.00 on top of her package if she doesn't pay by Direct Debit.
Is this fair, surely she has the right to decide which way to pay and not be penalised !

Direct Debit is easier for Sky which is why they will penalise her if she wants to pay by cheque or other method. I don't see why she can't keep ahead of her accounts if she uses the DD method of paying. If she is on a low income I don't really see why she wants to pay for Sky TV at all. In her position I would regard that as an unnecessary expense. There are often advantages with DDs such as a cheaper price for energy supplies etc., although I know some financial advisers don't like them we have never had a problem keeping a check on them and no one has ever taken a payment they are not entitled to.

southernscouser

Think of it the other way round. It's not really a penalty. It's more of a reduction if you pay by DD!

It saves them the hassle of not having to chase money all the time.

I don't really understand what you mean about her wanting to keep ahead of her accounts? The great thing about DD though is you needn't worry about the payment getting there on time.

dunstonh

direct debits make things so much easier. Same date every month or after the weekend or holiday if it falls on one of those days. Nothing could be simpler. And to make it even better, Sky discount their package if you go with direct debit. There is no reason not to pay by DD.

When i read comments like that, it is often another problem that is the issue and not the one being referred to. I dont think this is an issue with direct debits at all but your step daughters budgeting.

If that is the case, she could consider opening up a second current account and have all monthly payments taken out of that. On the day after her payday, she could have a standing order in place to transfer the required amount to the number 2 account which covers all her bills. That way, she knows what is left in the main account is safe to spend.

shellsuit

You'' find this is the norm to pay a fee for not paying by DD.

I have to pay £3 extra on top of my mobile phone bill because I pay it with cash - thank God it ends in 20 something days! (Not just for that reason of course)

johnofhertford

ramarken wrote:

Is this fair, surely she has the right to decide which way to pay and not be penalised !

No, she has a right to decide whether she wishes to pay the price that Sky is charging, and if she doesn't want to pay it Sky won't force her to.

poppy_f1

telewest do the same as well a extra 4 quid a month for non direct debit payments

Astaroth

Many companies do either by loading those that dont pay by DD (which allows them to advertise lower prices) or by giving discounts on paying by DD (which is good when you have already sold the customer on the price and now want to sell them on DD) like electricity companies.