Standing Orders.

Jackiec09

Can utility companies refuse to accept a standing order even if you have set it up with their account number and sort code?

Just to give you a bit of background.

I'm trying to pay my utility bill and they are refusing to let me set up a direct debit. MY DD has been refused twice, the first time was an error on my part and just recently it was my banks fault as there was plenty in my account to pay it. I told them I will set up a SO and they said they don't accept SO's yet I could pay at the post office with a giro slip using the very same account number and sort code.

I'm so angry with them at the moment, I want to pay and I am trying to pay and they seem to be blocking every attempt I make and threatening me with disconnection. I don't stay near a post office so this is not an ideal way for me to pay either.

At the moment I am paying an amount every month to them through their website but would prefer a DD or SO.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

HappyMJ

Which energy company?

As long as you are paying something reasonable then they won't disconnect you.

Jackiec09

Thanks HappyMJ. It's Scottish Gas.

HappyMJ

Jackiec09 wrote: »

Thanks HappyMJ. It's Scottish Gas.

Scottish Gas as in the company known as British Gas and trading as Scottish Gas?

They accept standing orders. Use the account number you have and the reference number you have and send them a pound and then in a week check that the pound has been credited to your account.

Wywth

Jackiec09 wrote: »

Can utility companies refuse to accept a standing order even if you have set it up with their account number and sort code?

Just to give you a bit of background.

I'm trying to pay my utility bill and they are refusing to let me set up a direct debit. MY DD has been refused twice, the first time was an error on my part and just recently it was my banks fault as there was plenty in my account to pay it. I told them I will set up a SO and they said they don't accept SO's yet I could pay at the post office with a giro slip using the very same account number and sort code.

I'm so angry with them at the moment, I want to pay and I am trying to pay and they seem to be blocking every attempt I make and threatening me with disconnection. I don't stay near a post office so this is not an ideal way for me to pay either.

At the moment I am paying an amount every month to them through their website but would prefer a DD or SO.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

You need to get to the bottom of why your DD's were not paid.

If a DD is not paid due to insufficient funds, then a SO would not be paid for the same reason.

Paying an energy supplier monthly by DD (but not necessarily SO) will usually get you a cheaper overall price.
Some tariff insist on payment monthly by DD, and if you don't you will be knocked off to a more expensive tariff.

Jackiec09

Yip, one and the same company. When I phoned them the guy at the call centre told me British/Scottish Gas don't accept SO's and was pushing me to take a prepayment meter which I don't want. That's a good idea HappyMJ I'll try that and let you know how it goes. Thanks.

Jackiec09

Wywth thank you. There was plenty of funds in my account but I have been told they wont let me set up another DD as this has happened twice (my fault first time) in fact their system wont let them set up another DD. As for setting up an SO, I have done this to ensure payment is getting made. British/Scottish Gas are saying the bank refused the DD but even if I complain to the bank, which I fully intend to do, they will still not set up another DD.

FreddieM

As i understand this you want to set up a DD? If that is so and you have sufficient funds in your bank account and you are not a defaulter, a DD is an instruction by you and not a request, so a bank cannot turn down that instruction.
I often have to set up DDs and SOs for customers (i'm not anything to do with a bank/BS it's part of my job in telecare. I always find that people do not know the difference between a SO and a DD. So for the record and I apologise in advance if you think I'm teaching you to suck eggs (thats not the intention) A SO is a fixed amount of money transferred from your account on a monthly basis and cannot be varied. If the bank requires to change your payment up or down they are obligated to write to you.
A DD can be varied month on month depending on your usage. This is particularly beneficial to Banks as they don't have to write to you to increase/decrease it. Some utility companies write to you to advise you that they are increasing the DD based on what they project you will use. Thats also rubbish because nobody can accurately predict your next spend but can only quote you on the previous 12 months use. Just a point that may be of help

Joyful

The major problems with Standing orders are when customers do not pay the amount the energy suppliers request. This then leads to letters going out as payment plans go into arrears. It is a long time since I worked in the credit department but the rules then were 2 failed payment plans and another would not be set up.

I can see no problem with setting up a standing order when you have cleared a bill and paying in advance towards the next one as long as you clear it in full if anything is still outstanding when the bill comes. The main point being that there is no debt left from any previous bill.

If they are suggesting a prepayment meter it sounds like you have an outstanding balance that you cannot afford to pay back in full. If this is correct do not leave it as charges will be added to your oustanding balance.

Jackiec09

Joyful wrote: »

The major problems with Standing orders are when customers do not pay the amount the energy suppliers request. This then leads to letters going out as payment plans go into arrears. It is a long time since I worked in the credit department but the rules then were 2 failed payment plans and another would not be set up.

I can see no problem with setting up a standing order when you have cleared a bill and paying in advance towards the next one as long as you clear it in full if anything is still outstanding when the bill comes. The main point being that there is no debt left from any previous bill.

If they are suggesting a prepayment meter it sounds like you have an outstanding balance that you cannot afford to pay back in full. If this is correct do not leave it as charges will be added to your oustanding balance.

I can afford to pay back the outstanding balance just not in full (I am a carer for my son so do not work). We live in a private let and my landlord will not agree to a prepayment meter and I cannot afford any charges. I emailed and wrote to them and was ignored both times and when I called it went to a call centre who were trying to put pressure on my to get a prepayment meter. I was offering a solution but feel they just didn't want to listen. I have made an appointment with a third party to discuss this and see if they can help.

macman

Since the issue appears to be with your bank, have you spoken to them?