Local shop stopped Electric & Gas Cards unless you spend spend spend...

money-4-nothing

Our local Spar as a PayZone terminal, which they have had for years and years. Anyway popped in this morning to put some credit on my Electric/Gas cards (like i've done for over 10 years) only to be turned down by the Assistant.

I was told that unless you spend £10 in store you can't take advanage of the PayZone services. I asked why? and the manager who appeared said that THEY get charged by the Electric/Gas companies for each transaction.

Which is a load of rubbish because they get COMMISSION for each transaction, not the other way around.

Anyway I left.... it's not rocket science to understand what they are doing - they are pulling a fast one. Theres a post office next door and they take the GAS cards, but if I run out of electric credit it's a 20 min bus ride into town to the nearest PayZone/PayPoint.

Being the only shop in miles they are already cashing in on their over inflated prices.... £1.60 for a loaf of bread last time I checked.

Anyway rant over... :mad:

simongregson

Have you tried contacting paypoint - https://www.paypoint.co.uk/ or payzone https://www.payzone.co.uk

It is likely that this is against the terms of their agreement with these companies.

You are correct, that they get commission on top-ups, so you would think it was in their interest to keep their terminal! They might lose it if they break their agreement with paypoint/payzone.

blackwidowz

I worked in a convience store up till last week and we had just started charging 30p for credit/debit card transactions for paypoint/payzone purchases alone.
Yes we got a commision but it was pennies when you consider the costs of running the service, Electric, phone line and staff.
If you spent £5 in the store and paid by card it was free.

simongregson

Most paypoint shops are cash only for these transactions. I can understand them not wanting to take credit/debit cards for these amounts, but cash should be Ok for whatever amount.

Don't forget that having the terminal generates customers for the shop too, some of whom will buy additional stuff.

BexTech

Thought about having proper credit meters installed and paying less for your gas and electricity and not having the hassle of getting cards topped up / tokens? Though if you are absolutely useless with budgeting and money management, then maybe that's why you are happy for the inconvenience and paying over the odds. Still if you now how much you put in each week, you could multiply that by four and set up a direct debit for that amount each month once you get credit meters installed and have found the cheapest supplier. Still again if you are useless at budgeting and money management you probably don't have a buffer zone on your bank account and are always running at £0 or less, then maybe that's why you are happy for the inconvenience and paying over the odds.

far

Payzone/Paypoint are also used by many utility suppliers for cash payments as well as token keys so it's not just those that are affected. After a recent run in with a utility supplier over a Direct Debit, I can see why some people prefer quarterly bills over Direct Debit even if prices are higher this way. I have credit and debit cards so if I ever did want to switch to quarterly bills I have other ways of paying besides Payzone/Paypoint too but not everyone does.

buxtonrabbitgreen

BexTech wrote: »

Thought about having proper credit meters installed and paying less for your gas and electricity and not having the hassle of getting cards topped up / tokens? Though if you are absolutely useless with budgeting and money management, then maybe that's why you are happy for the inconvenience and paying over the odds. Still if you now how much you put in each week, you could multiply that by four and set up a direct debit for that amount each month once you get credit meters installed and have found the cheapest supplier. Still again if you are useless at budgeting and money management you probably don't have a buffer zone on your bank account and are always running at £0 or less, then maybe that's why you are happy for the inconvenience and paying over the odds.

i understand what you are saying here. I also have prepay meters. I don't have the problem the op has as there are 4 shops in our villiage to top up. I know how much i use and put that amount in for the month when I get paid. My problem is 4 weekly pay. If I could arrange to have it taken out on a 4 weekly basis I would. But rather than have yet another DD coming out a week or 2 before pay day when I haven't got enough cash to pay it, I would rather pay the extra for the electricity than the charges for going over my overdarft.

BexTech

buxtonrabbitgreen wrote: »

i understand what you are saying here. I also have prepay meters. I don't have the problem the op has as there are 4 shops in our villiage to top up. I know how much i use and put that amount in for the month when I get paid. My problem is 4 weekly pay. If I could arrange to have it taken out on a 4 weekly basis I would. But rather than have yet another DD coming out a week or 2 before pay day when I haven't got enough cash to pay it, I would rather pay the extra for the electricity than the charges for going over my overdarft.

Yeah, I understand, I just built my self up a nice buffer zone in my account so I'm never anywhere near getting to zero or less.

Yes, it meant for a while I did away with luxuries and services, but now I have a nice large buffer zone in my account, I don't need to worry about overdrafts or worry I won't have money for emergencies, so can now save even more money. It's just a case of being money-wise.

sipio

are shops who use either paypoint or payzone allowed to set a minimum amount for top ups/payments?

Its just I have topped up £7 before and still there is say 20p still owing so have gone back to the shop asking if can have a £1 top up and have been refused and a minimum of £5 must be purchased, whilst other shops allow a top up/payment for whatever the amount.

When asked I was told it costs too much in paper receipts, electric and phone line to put anything less in than £5 and is not worth their time. This is fair enough I guess if correct, but is it? How does the commision work..so much from every pound? So is it worth it to the shop to turn away custom of less than £5?

At least you dont have to buy other goods to use the service..is it at the shops discretion to decide terms of top ups or is this a break in terms and conditions of the paypoint/payzone's ?

cing0

Local shops can offer value for money - mine sells 2 litre milk for 79p but in the end, its your choice where to put your business.

SwanJon

sipio wrote: »

are shops who use either paypoint or payzone allowed to set a minimum amount for top ups/payments?

No, If they sign up to PP/PZ they need to abide by their rules.

As above, PP/PZ can generate a lot of footfall so it's in the shop's interest to keep to the rules.
£1 is the minimum top up on both networks.

If you feel that the shop is not playing fair pass the details on - either directly to PP/PZ or to your supplier who can do the same.

Think how much they have to lose if the network takes the terminal away..