Paper processing fee with BT

Night_Hawk_2

I just received my new BT bill and noticed that I have been charged £4.50 for paper processing charge. This charge was levied because I did not set up my bill to be paid by Direct debit. Apparently this rule came into force on 1st May 2007 and I have not been sent any notification. Once I set up my bill with direct debit I will be refunded the charge in the next bill. I still get a paper bill and I will be direct debited two weeks later. If this a law to stop firms doing this i.e. making people sign up for direct debit

LittleVoice

They are not making you sign up for DD by force. They are giving you the equivalent of a financial inducement to do so.

Night_Hawk_2

There is no financial inducement as they will charge you £4.50 if you do not sign up. To be a financial induction, they should give a you a discount to pay by direct debit. How many people check their bills and notice this charge especially when they have not notified you

LittleVoice

I said "equivalent of a financial inducement". They induce you to pay by DD by charging more if you don't. I seem to recall in the past (if not now) that there used to be a reduction if you paid by DD - they obviously want to encourage even more to pay in that way.

I would be surprised if there were no advance notification that they were going to charge. Was it not mentioned on a previous bill or flyer/booklet? If people fail to read/check their bills and correspondence it isn't really the fault of BT.

Night_Hawk_2

What happens if you are old and do not have a bank account ? How does BT justify charging £4.50 when it only cost 44p to cleraed a cheque. Can we see how many people are happy to pay this charge

chickflick

I heard they were doing this on watch dog the other month, apperently its not allowed but they have now brought this in, think its stupid really, i have now changed to first telecom.
I heard you can send a letter of compliant about this, i will trying and find this for you