Are these administration charges even legal?

Geodark

I pay everything by DD - it isnt, as you say, the fact I can afford to sign up for something then forget about it, it's the fact that its easier to budget knowing exactly when it comes out and means that I won't forget to pay it one time.

Going to sound really harsh here, but if, as you put it, you have real monthly shortages then why have a contract phone? why not use an older phone and get a pay as you go sim? you don't have to have the latest phone. with PAYG you can put cash on when you have cash available.

Exile_geordie

If you cant pay yoru DD on time most of the time then a sim only contract really isnt for you.
get a PAYG sim.

mije1983

Exile_geordie wrote: »

If you cant pay yoru DD on time most of the time then a sim only contract really isnt for you.
get a PAYG sim.

PAYG would also stop the OP getting these late payment charges, so saving them money!

Exile_geordie

mije1983 wrote: »

PAYG would also stop the OP getting these late payment charges, so saving them money!

Nah getting something for cheaper for using a different method of payment seems to be illegal according to them

unholyangel

People who can afford to sign up with direct debit

Did I miss something? Isnt it cheaper to pay by DD? It not those who can afford it, its those who are able to budget adequately (doesnt need to be perfect).

OP unfortunately its just part of being a responsible adult - ensuring bills are paid on time.

Try doing a weekly budget instead of a monthly one if you have trouble. So instead of £15 a month would be £3.75 a week. And do that with all your bills if necessary.

frugal_mike

If possible open a separate current account specifically for paying bills. As long as your bills are fairly constant each month you can move the right amount of money into that account at the beginning of the month. That way you can be sure you won't accidentally spend your bill money (destroy the card for the bill account to avoid temptation).

My bank also offers a service where it emails and/or texts me if my account is about to go overdrawn. That gives me a few hours to rectify the situation.