Rip-off Christmas time late defaults Sums

[Deleted User]

Indeed you can.

dtaylor84

Gord_of_Thunder wrote: »

Some of my friends who use these methods you say have had problems with these methods...especially one when they Changed his monthly payment date and then started to charge him interest and late payment it took ages to get it sorted and he still had to pay the interest.

Your friends are not using Direct Debits, then. They probably set up a standing order for a set date, and failed to check their statements. The safest way to pay a credit card by far is to set up a direct debit (at least for the minimum payment). If you have sufficient money in your bank account you will never get a (legitimate) late fee as their failure to take the money will not be your fault.

Gord_of_Thunder wrote: »

I paid by cheque and post over the last ten years and have had relatively no problems until recently when there seems to be a concerted effort by credit card companies to stop this form of payment by cheque, probably due to the cost.

In what way are the bank responsible for extreme weather and christmas causing postal delays?

rb10

michaelvintner wrote: »

We used to get two deliverys a day, now it is a miracle if you get two deliveries a week.

Yes, I am in the same position as you. (Well, except I'm too young to remember two deliveries a day ).

However, the reason why I only get about two deliveries a week is because few people write to me any more, so there's nothing to deliver.

The postal system is a dying breed, there's no question there.

Gord_of_Thunder wrote: »

I will ask a question to those who use Online services.
If you use online credit card sites can you use debit cards to do the payment ?

Most will, but of course it depends on the credit card provider. If you take a look at the back of your statement it will usually tell you how you can pay.

The best way to do it is:

1) If you pay it off in full each month: Set up a direct debit for the full amount. Then all you have to do is ensure that you have enough money in your account on the payment due date.

2) If you don't pay it off in full every month: Set up a direct debit for at least the minimum amount. Then make additional payments either online or by phone as and when you are able to.

Gord_of_Thunder

izools wrote: »

And I guess what you two have proven right there is how far apart the quality of service by Royal Mail differs from one area to another.

To those that like to pay your CC by cheque...

Would you like to receive your salary / DLA / Tax Credits / Child Benefit / Income Support / Job seekers / ESA via cheque, too? Knowing how much longer it will take and knowing how big the risk is of mail delays / mail getting lost?

Thought not.

Funny you should say that:

Not having asked me the method of payment I'd prefer The Inland Revenue have just sent me a Cheque for a Tax Refund in the post and The Co-operative Bank have just sent me a cheque for a Final Account closure.???
A window company have said they will take final payment for a job by cheque but if I want to pay by Credit card there will be a 1.45% charge.
A large Furniture store said final payment can be done by cheque but will charge on delivery for Credit card payment ???

BillTrac

I always pay my CC off in full by cheque in my bank on the 1st each month. It usuakly needs to be paid by the 11th/12th

No chance of paying late, and I get a nice signed and dated receipt

simples

Pay by cash and you get a quicker transfer of funds as well

rb10

BillTrac wrote: »

I always pay my CC off in full by cheque in my bank on the 1st each month. It usuakly needs to be paid by the 11th/12th

No chance of paying late, and I get a nice signed and dated receipt

simples

Pay by cash and you get a quicker transfer of funds as well

But pay by direct debit, and:

1) You don't have to make sure you trek into the bank every month - it just happens by itself
2) If you are ill or in hospital, and so not able to get out, the payment is still made
3) You get a longer interest-free period, as the direct debit doesn't go out until the last possible day. This means you earn interest on the money for longer.
4) The chance of error is tiny. What if you write the cheque for the wrong amount? Or the cashier enters it incorrectly? Although you may get the charges/interest refunded, it's all extra hassle for you.
5) Paying by direct debit gives you an instant transfer of funds from your current account to the credit card.

If you pay your credit card in this way, then one day you'll trip up. There are far too many external factors that it's resting on, not to mention simple human error.

I pay by direct debit, and so my credit card company holds full responsibility for ensuring that the payment is made. I can just sit back and watch it happen.

izools

Gord_of_Thunder wrote: »

Funny you should say that:

Not having asked me the method of payment I'd prefer The Inland Revenue have just sent me a Cheque for a Tax Refund in the post and The Co-operative Bank have just sent me a cheque for a Final Account closure.???
A window company have said they will take final payment for a job by cheque but if I want to pay by Credit card there will be a 1.45% charge.
A large Furniture store said final payment can be done by cheque but will charge on delivery for Credit card payment ???

So don't pay by credit card then, pay by electronic funds transfer (BACS / Faster Payment) via your online banking or via telephone banking.

Fee free, risk free transfer that occurs immediately, and without the need for any cards or any paper.

redpete

Gord_of_Thunder wrote: »

... most answers have not helped.

Really? They've made it quite clear that there is no 'con' going on and that your sense of control over the process is illusory.

I will ask a question to those who use Online services.
If you use online credit card sites can you use debit cards to do the payment ?

You can with some but the way I prefer is to use a bank that offers fast payments and make the payment from the bank account website to the account details given on the CC statement.

chattychappy

I rarely use cheques these days - but it's a pity if the unreliability of the postal service becomes a further nail in the coffin. I like the fact that one person can make a payment to another without having to exchange bank details.

All I can say to the OP is that if you prefer to pay by cheque then in most cases you can still do so over a counter using a giro slip. I would also look at your bank statements - if there is a significant delay between the cheque showing on the statement and the payment being applied to your credit card account then something is going wrong.

Whilst personally I have pretty much stopped using them, I don't like choices taken away or changes foisted upon me. I'm quite up for paying extra or foregoing a discount if the way I want to do business is more costly.

I certainly avoid direct debits.

michaelvintner

dzug1 wrote: »

Really?? Apart from one or two days in the snow I've had a delivery every working day for yonx

Wish I had your postman/Woman.