Atlantic quarterly direct debits

SoozyJ22

I've just switched to Atlantic and opted to pay on receipt of my quarterly bills as I just want to pay for what I use and not have to have hassles with them owing me money or me owing them.

A leaflet they put in with my bill says that I can save 6% if I pay by monthly direct debit (which I don't want to do) but could save 5% if I pay by quarterly DD. Now, it doesn't make it clear if the quarterly DD would be for my actual usage or would be averaged over the year in the same way as the monthly DDs are.

Does anyone know? I can't find anything on their website and don't want to have to call them to ask unless I have to.

Thanks

millymollymandy2K7

Atlantics quarterly direct debits are as your quarterly bill would be - not guaranteed to be actual usage though as will be an estimated bill twice a year.

SoozyJ22

Thanks Milly Molly Mandy (I used to love those books when I was little). I'll give them a call tomorrow to get the DD set up.

Cardew

millymollymandy2K7 wrote: »

Atlantics quarterly direct debits are as your quarterly bill would be - not guaranteed to be actual usage though as will be an estimated bill twice a year.

So what is the difference between quarterly direct debits and 'normal' quarterly billing?

i.e. what is the 5% discount for?

Surely a Direct Debit(DD) is a system for paying the estimated bill for a year in equal payments.

So for, say, an annual bill of £600:

1. For quarterly billing that might be two payments of £200 an two of £100.

2. For monthly DD it will be twelve monthly payments of £50.(less 6%)

3. For quarterly DD it will be four payments of £150(less 5%)

SwanJon

I assume the discount is to reward prompt payment.
Not bad as long as you have the money ready for the bigger winter bills.
Similar idea to the DD for a phone - it changes each month depending on how much you used, and there there tends to be a non-DD charge.
DD doesn't have to be equal. Wouldn't like it myself as I'd be sure to get a big bill in January and not have money in the right place at the right time.

mprice1988

Its all a bit of a gimmick really.

You get

4.3% discount for paying your bills on time regardless of what method you pay for it

5% quarterly dd discount

6% Monthly dd debit discount.

Its all to do with the company taking on less debt if they cant get you on dd and you are less likey to leave them id you on dd