Warning! BT increase charges for non direct debit payers

gt94sss2

missyc35 wrote: »

I always pay my bill online on my pay date - I only work part time and I am paid on the 25th of each month. Now, I have a problem, I would use dd but you don't have the option to change the payment date. I don't have money to pay the bill mid month when the bill is dated!

BT direct debits are taken two weeks after the bill is produced, i.e. if the bill is produced at the middle of the month, the money will be taken at the end of the month - so you should be ok

Alternatively, you could set up a monthly payment plan, so the amount you pay every month is fixed (and can be budgeted for) but if you do this make sure the monthly payment isn't too high otherwise you will eventually build up a credit with BT..

Regards
Sunil

mummymania

Today I received my phonebill - £3 of calls, service charge (line rental?) £28, VAT £5 & Payment Processing fee £4.50 = total £41

Do I have to pay this processing fee and what wil they do if I don't?

Una x

BritBrat

Think it's the charge for paying your bill on time.

But not paying in the way BT want's you to, Direct Debit.


More information here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=400053

BritBrat

I am doing quite well, cost of calls so far this month as checked this morning 0.76p to BT.

Not bad and I am only going live with Primus today it was 60p yesterday but I am trying to make sure Primus is active so using BT a little at the moment.

Ducatijim

Got my BT bill this morning, and notice they now have a Payment processing fee of £4.50. Cant see it on my previous bills, so this is another example of Rip Off Britain. I pay via the internet, so why do i have to pay £4.50?

Heinz

Welcome to the MSE forums Ducatijim.

As you're new, you probably missed the below extensive thread (started by Martin himself) on this subject.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=400053

BTW, you obviously haven't realised that, for years, you've been paying £3/quarter more than those who pay by direct debit. That, in effect, has now increased by 50p/month

photon_2

We all tend to forget that by paying our "telephone bill" to BT we are paying in advance for the line rental and the other service portions. The only element that we pay in arrears is the call costs.

If, like me, you are using another telco to facilitate the bulk of your calls then BT will always be "cash-positive" on your account. As a result isn't it an insult for BT to charge us extra for the privilege of receiving our cheque or cash in advance

As a diirect consequence of the above their charges for "late payment" also seem unfounded. "Late advance payment" ?? c'mon BT ! Get real. No wonder VOIP is such a runaway success.

BritBrat

More upset people finding out they have to pay extra for paying on time if you don't pay the way BT want you to.

BexTech

BritBrat wrote: »

More upset people finding out they have to pay extra for paying on time if you don't pay the way BT want you to.

Surprised it's taken them all these years to find out though.

Drunkstar

You rent a car you pay in advance. No?
You want a buffet at a party you pay in advance. No?

Same basic thing, you want a phone line, you pay in advance. I cant see the big issue guys. pay a bill on time and get no fees for late payment.