British Gas Not Accepting Cash Or Cheques

Mobtr

Said you send a cheque, make sure you put your account number & name & address on the back if it so they know who’s account to credit it to. Shouldn’t be an issue without a payment slip 

matelodave

the best way to send a cheque is to write your name, address and account number on the back of it, even if you do have a payment slip.

dunstonh

 I think I am being fobbed off as I cannot believe such a big company would be without banking facilities and apart from which how come they can still accept payments online or phone?

They didn't say they were without banking facilities.  The option to have widespread third party payments into your account is different functionality and cost.    

And please stop multiple posting on the same issue.  Especially when its not related to this section.

SAC2334

I like that you want to pay by cheque and at the moment BG are frustrating you a little but paying for the monthly broadband  internet connection is nt cheap and nor is a mobile phone and monthly contract so whenever possible over the year I make the internet pay for my outlays by getting lowest prices for everything I buy

You are buying your energy at a higher price if not the highest possible price to buy a kwh of gas and electric  than other methods of payment . That really does nt make sense financially when here you are on an internet forum getting  advice when you probably  pay your broadband or mobile contract by direct debit .So why not save money off your bills by paying by direct debit and make the internet pay its way by saving you money . 

MattMattMattUK

They do not have to accept cheque or cash, indeed no modern business without commercial premises would want to. You are also paying around 11% more for your energy by choosing/tying to pay by an outdated method, which is hardly MSE.

Alnat1

Have you considered the cost of an envelope and stamp also adds to the cost, as well as paying more for your energy use.

You shouldn't really be surprised that so few people are supporting your stand on a money saving forum.

Ectophile

MattMattMattUK said:

They do not have to accept cheque or cash, indeed no modern business without commercial premises would want to. You are also paying around 11% more for your energy by choosing/tying to pay by an outdated method, which is hardly MSE.

It's not that simple if a customer is paying in arrears.  By the time the bill is sent, the customer is in debt to the supplier.

The customer can then offer to pay off that debt in cash, as it's legal tender for all debts.  If the supplier refuses to accept the payment, then suing the customer for the payment isn't going to get anywhere.

QrizB

Ectophile said:

The customer can then offer to pay off that debt in cash, as it's legal tender for all debts.  If the supplier refuses to accept the payment, then suing the customer for the payment isn't going to get anywhere.

I don't think that's true, and nor does Wikipedia:

In the UK legal tender specifically relates to the settlement of debts: a debtor cannot successfully be sued for non-payment if they pay the exact amount (change cannot be demanded) into court in legal tender.  Legal tender is solely for the guaranteed settlement of debts, and does not imply a right to pay with cash in other contexts.

It goes on to say:

There is a misconception that somebody due to be paid a certain amount of money—such as a shopkeeper—must accept legal tender if proffered for payment; in reality the payee may choose to refuse or accept any specific type of payment, whether legal tender or not.

Copied from:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_tender

Scot_39

During Covid lots of places stopped accepting cash.
Some have not switched back.
So neither have I to them.

The OP may have genuine reasons for credit billing - like being burnt by silly DD estimate calcs, and running into excess debt or credit.

Of course these days with some suppliers monthly variable direct debit an option (not BG on new system from posts here so might need a swap) or even smart prepay - which will soon be guaranteed to match DD (at least at TDCV consumption right now iirc) - might be better options.

Ectophile

QrizB said:

Ectophile said:

The customer can then offer to pay off that debt in cash, as it's legal tender for all debts.  If the supplier refuses to accept the payment, then suing the customer for the payment isn't going to get anywhere.

I don't think that's true, and nor does Wikipedia:

In the UK legal tender specifically relates to the settlement of debts: a debtor cannot successfully be sued for non-payment if they pay the exact amount (change cannot be demanded) into court in legal tender.  Legal tender is solely for the guaranteed settlement of debts, and does not imply a right to pay with cash in other contexts.

It goes on to say:

There is a misconception that somebody due to be paid a certain amount of money—such as a shopkeeper—must accept legal tender if proffered for payment; in reality the payee may choose to refuse or accept any specific type of payment, whether legal tender or not.

Copied from:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_tender

The paying in shops is a different thing.  There is no debt if the shopkeeper refuses to sell their goods for cash.

The legal tender thing only comes in once you owe somebody money.  You then offer to pay off the debt in cash.  If they refuse to take the payment, they have no grounds to sue you for the money in court.  If they did try to summons you to court, you could again offer immediate payment in cash to settle the debt.