Blueyonder Billing

Mist001

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post it, but since it's about phones I'll give it a go.

Every month, I get my phone bill from Blueyonder and every month I pay it by using Paypoint along at my local shop, along with other bills.

Now, Blueyonder charge me a £2.00 'Non direct debit admin fee', every month because I don't pay by direct debit. Direct debit and Paypoint are purely electronic transactions. The only money that changes hands is when I give it to the shopkeeper.

When I pay my other bills, gas, electric and things at the Paypoint, they don't charge me a £2.00 surcharge for not paying by DD.

If someone rents only the phoneline from Blueyonder at £10 per month and don't pay by direct debit, then the line rental is actually £12 per month.

So, what I'm asking, is is there any real justification for Blueyonder to add this £2.00 surcharge to my bill each month? It seems like a scam to me.

Any thoughts about the subject?

Mist.

bbb_uk

I suspect, as far as Telewest (blueyonder) are concerned, is that at least by direct debit they are more likely to get the money and on time as its automatic. I believe (but not sure) is that even if you don't have money in the account the bank still honours the payment to blueyonder and then you get a letter of bank saying you have gone overdrawn - for which an expensive admin fee for doing so.

On the other hand, paying other methods means blueyonder have to rely upon you to pay the bill and ideally pay it on time.

BexTech

Most utility companies do this, also Sky TV.

Sky charge £4 per month for this.

You state that your gas and electricity do not charge you a surcharge, when infact all suppliers do, except with many it is hidden, and unless you are setup for direct debit, you wouldn't know. Hidden in the fact you pay a much dearer KwH charge by not paying via direct debit. Others will issue you the bill, for example at £100, and then if you are a direct debit users, will then discount that bill by £6.25 (Sweb pro-rata discount) as you are paying by direct debit.

BT are the same, they charge you £11.50 for line rental, with a £1 discount if paying via direct debit.