Paper Billing for Elderly Relative

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

Dolor said:

https://help.bulb.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/115003609972-Paper-statements

I'm with Bulb myself. They will send out a paper statement to people who request it but it's still monthly payments by direct debit.

The downside of Bulb being is that it is a variable tariff. That said, I do worry when I see people of my generation standing in a Post Office queue to collect their pensions. Is it not time for an inter-generational family discussion on better/cheaper ways of paying for energy than just waiting for a monthly statement. For example, Octopus will produce a statement each time a meter reading is provided, or monthly where there is a smart meter. It is easy to make a payment online. I know that we elderly people can be fiercely independent but the cost of doing things the ‘old fashioned’ way cannot be ignored. 

From the Octopus website: 

We prefer payment by monthly Direct Debit, because it's less hassle for customers and it's easy to manage in your online account.

Octopus Energy customers can also choose to pay by bank transfer, cheque, credit/debit card, or cash via PayPoint.

Neil_Jones

Deleted_User said:

Neil_Jones said:

Well the easy solution here is to start "doing" direct debit, and then somebody else (you?) can print the bill out for them, if that's what they want.

  

I almost knew I would get a reply like this. They want paper billing they can manage themselves, they don't want direct debits (they don't have direct debits set up for anything). Like I said we're looking for the cheapest with paper billing not the cheapest ultimate tariff on the market.

This is a money saving website, we're all about saving money.  You're going to get people say start "doing" direct debits.  Might as well be me.  Realistically the market has moved to the point where its generally expected to pay for this by direct debit.  I would not be surprised in the slightest if "pay on receipt" stops being an option in the near future.  Then what are you going to do?

I believe the Post Office (which seems to be the default goto destination for this sort of thing) only takes payment for what is now the Big 5.  So that's all the choice you probably have, since Eon ate nPower and Ovo ate SSE, though I wouldn't be surprised if SSE payments stop being accepted at some point, so that'll cap you to four companies.

Robin9

@Deleted_User I assume the relative is OK with the present arrangement ? - why rock the boat ?

Do some research restricting to "Present Supplier"  and see what BG has to offer .

As Neil_ has said -  pay in cash on receipt of bill is dying out.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] said:

Deleted_User said:

[Deleted User] said:

https://help.bulb.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/115003609972-Paper-statements

I'm with Bulb myself. They will send out a paper statement to people who request it but it's still monthly payments by direct debit.

The downside of Bulb being is that it is a variable tariff. That said, I do worry when I see people of my generation standing in a Post Office queue to collect their pensions. Is it not time for an inter-generational family discussion on better/cheaper ways of paying for energy than just waiting for a monthly statement. For example, Octopus will produce a statement each time a meter reading is provided, or monthly where there is a smart meter. It is easy to make a payment online. I know that we elderly people can be fiercely independent but the cost of doing things the ‘old fashioned’ way cannot be ignored. 

From the Octopus website: 

We prefer payment by monthly Direct Debit, because it's less hassle for customers and it's easy to manage in your online account.

Octopus Energy customers can also choose to pay by bank transfer, cheque, credit/debit card, or cash via PayPoint.

They know what is cheaper but they don't want direct debits and prefer to pay bills when they are due like the old days. Also they are happy to pay over the phone with card or get family member to pay for them online, but they still want a bill in their hand when it is due.

[Deleted User]

Robin9 said:

@Deleted_User I assume the relative is OK with the present arrangement ? - why rock the boat ?

Do some research restricting to "Present Supplier"  and see what BG has to offer .

As Neil_ has said -  pay in cash on receipt of bill is dying out.

They brought up the subject of finding a cheaper supplier, it's not us trying to force them to change from BG.

[Deleted User]

Neil_Jones said:

Deleted_User said:

Neil_Jones said:

Well the easy solution here is to start "doing" direct debit, and then somebody else (you?) can print the bill out for them, if that's what they want.

  

I almost knew I would get a reply like this. They want paper billing they can manage themselves, they don't want direct debits (they don't have direct debits set up for anything). Like I said we're looking for the cheapest with paper billing not the cheapest ultimate tariff on the market.

This is a money saving website, we're all about saving money.  You're going to get people say start "doing" direct debits.  Might as well be me.  Realistically the market has moved to the point where its generally expected to pay for this by direct debit.  I would not be surprised in the slightest if "pay on receipt" stops being an option in the near future.  Then what are you going to do?

I believe the Post Office (which seems to be the default goto destination for this sort of thing) only takes payment for what is now the Big 5.  So that's all the choice you probably have, since Eon ate nPower and Ovo ate SSE, though I wouldn't be surprised if SSE payments stop being accepted at some point, so that'll cap you to four companies.

Yes this is a money saving website, and it's about finding what you want for cheaper. What you're saying is that we all should buy Tesco value beans as they are cheapest.

Neil_Jones

Deleted_User said:

Yes this is a money saving website, and it's about finding what you want for cheaper. What you're saying is that we all should buy Tesco value beans as they are cheapest.

I already do