cash only energy

MrMike12

Hi, I'm new to the forums but not to MSE. I was unable to find a thread on this subject so started my own.
My stepfather is, by his own admission, a 'ludite'. He has no interest in the internet or even DD payments. As he he lives 'hand to mouth' he likes to pay by cash but, even though he has never missed a payment, he gets penalised by all the service companies as he has to, effectively, pay for using cash because DD payments or online services get better rates. Has anybody got any advice about companies with a high street presence that charge the same whatever the payment method?
Thanks for any assistance.

Gerry1

It's unlikely that you'll find an energy supplier that charges the same for cash as for DDs, and even if you did, the rates wouldn't be competitive. The best solution would be a basic bank account, perhaps specifically for this purpose.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts/

This would allow DDs but there's no overdraft facility so it wouldn't be that different from paying in cash but he'd be able to get the best deal around. That's likely to be as good as it gets: if he insists on paying with cash he'll get stung. The only other alternative would be a pre-payment meter, but once again you don't get good rates.

gaz_moose

could he not get pre-payment meters installed.

G_M

MrMike12 wrote: »

....
My stepfather is, by his own admission, a 'ludite'. He has no interest in the internet or even DD payments. .....

Then he has to accept there are extra costs. Or rather, that he cannot benefit from discounted costs associated with DDs etc.

The energy suppliers save money by automating their payment processes, and pass on those savings to customers who sign up.

If a customer does not make use of the cheaper automated process, they have to accept the higher price.

Is he still in full control of his capacity? Is he willing to accept assistance? Could you offer to help him with finance in the iterests of saving money, or would he see this as interference?


Pre-payment meter is an option but probably raises other potential problems.