Severn Trent Direct Debit Plan

Magic_Dragon

Hi all

I moved in our house a year ago. In that time i have had to water bills ones for £89 and one for £135 - both taken from the meter not estimated

After paying the most recent bill I decided to set up a direct debit so we would not have to pay a large amount twice a year.

I have just got the DD plan in the post. They want me to pay £38.85 for 12 months

Surly this is excessive? I have tried calling them but they have 20 min dealys.

Does anyone know how the work out these DD plans?

Thanks

Claire

Cardew

Are you sure it is for 12 months?

My Severn Trent billing cycles always end in Dec and are usually 10 or 11 payments.

So could it be £38.85 for 7 months this year? Still probably too much but not as bad as 12 payments.

Magic_Dragon

Just had a look and its 11 payments. first one on 21 May 2007 - 21 March 2008

nikkimaclean

Hi

It does seem excessive even with price rises. If you cant get through on the phone, email them and ask them to check the plan. I find emails get answered more substantially although may take a week or so.
hth

Magic_Dragon

Hiya

I already have emailed them. First payment is due on 21st May though.

I though someone might know if there wa a reason for the DD being so high - ie payin gin advance or something?

Guess I will have to give them a ring

Cardew

Having been with ST for many years, and with a pretty much constant water consumption, my DD payments have been pretty accurate.

You don't say how many people in your house. Your bills of £224 for a year are about average for a couple. Could their estimates be based on a previous occupant's consumption?

Magic_Dragon

Hi

We are a couple in a new built house, so no previous occupants.

Just tried calling again but there is a 15 min wait this time on a 08457 number grrr

Cardew

Magic_Dragon wrote: »

Hi

We are a couple in a new built house, so no previous occupants.

Just tried calling again but there is a 15 min wait this time on a 08457 number grrr

use 0800 3281133

Magic_Dragon

Cardew wrote: »

use 0800 3281133

Thanks Very Much!

Psykicpup

assuming those bills cover exactly12 months thats £224 a yr so divide by 11 to get £20.36 maybe £22 odd if its been a month since the last read - that will cover usage only not cover any build-up of credit towards future bills or increase in charges - I would call & check - auto calculated schemes may be spread over 11 or 12 payment but expecting enough to cover a sooner bill... or the system may only be looking at the past 6 months....135x2=270 /11=£24.55....

Magic_Dragon

Psykicpup wrote: »

assuming those bills cover exactly12 months thats £224 a yr so divide by 11 to get £20.36 maybe £22 odd if its been a month since the last read - that will cover usage only not cover any build-up of credit towards future bills or increase in charges - I would call & check - auto calculated schemes may be spread over 11 or 12 payment but expecting enough to cover a sooner bill... or the system may only be looking at the past 6 months....135x2=270 /11=£24.55....

Exactly what i was thinking! The 2 bills covered just under 12 months, so even with price hikes this seems way too much to me.

I thought maybe you had to pay in advance with the DD scheme ( like TV licensing?), and thats why price was high. But judging from what others have said this isnt the case!

Didnt get round to calling the free phone number today. I will tomorrow. The are not keeping my money "in credit"!