Need a list of energy suppliers allowing quarterly cash/cheque payments

Jelli

Hello, when energy comparison sites do their thing they usually only look at companies accepting Direct Debit and not many other options (including MSE), but wondered if anyone has a list of suppliers allowing QCC payments (quarterly cash/cheque)? I can't find a website that has such a list.

Thanks in advance.

QrizB

You do realise that paying in arrears by cash/cheque is significantly more expensive? It has a separate, higher, Ofgem.cap.

I think all suppliers will accept cash/cheque payments, but quarterly billing is becoming a little less common.

Jelli

I had a feeling it would be more expensive, but it's for a person that can't use the internet and prefers seeing on paper the figure owed before paying.

When you say quarterly is less common does that mean monthly cheque/cash payments is mostly the option? The person I'm asking for prefers paying by cheque.

pete-20-11

Would variable direct debit be a compromise? They’ll pay for what they’ve used, and they’ll get a notification in advance of what the direct debit amount will be, e.g. get a bill, then after so many days it gets billed (something like 10-14 days, can’t quite recall)

pete-20-11

Paying by direct debit is usually around 7% cheaper than “paying in receipt of bills” - so I guess it depends on how happy they are to pay more!

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/#:~:text=While%20there%20are%20problems%2C%20there's,you%20a%20more%20accurate%20bill.

QrizB

Jelli said:

When you say quarterly is less common does that mean monthly cheque/cash payments is mostly the option? The person I'm asking for prefers paying by cheque.

Pretty much every supplier will do monthly cash/cheque billing.

Quarterly billing means extra credit costs for the supplier and a greater sum at risk of non-payment, so an increasing number of suppliers aren't offering it.

Paying in this manner also means you have a smaller list of tariffs to choose from; some suppliers will only offer the standard variable tariff to cash/cheque customers. Since that is the Ofgem capped tariff, there's rarely any benefit from shopping around (unless you're an E7 customer).

Jelli

pete-20-11 said:

Would variable direct debit be a compromise? They’ll pay for what they’ve used, and they’ll get a notification in advance of what the direct debit amount will be, e.g. get a bill, then after so many days it gets billed (something like 10-14 days, can’t quite recall)

Does what you've said involve a paper bill?

Thanks to all the above posts.

EssexHebridean

Well there is an obligation on the supplier to raise bills, and if there is no email address available to be given, as far as I can see, the only option for the billing would be on paper. 

If the person concerned here has someone helping them with general life admin though, the better approach would undoubtedly be to authorise that person taps a contact with the energy company and use their email address for the hills and any other contacts on the account.

Further question - are smart meters fitted? If not is the person in a position to ensure that they give regular monthly readings as I think that is often a condition of going to variable monthly DD billing. 

Jelli

They don't have a smart meter, no, but yes they are able to give readings when asked to (would there be a monthly letter?).

I use to help but for various reasons can't anymore, and important things needed are paper communications and billing, and paying fully afterwards.

Gerry1

If you're on the Priority Services Register British Gas have a service, although it's aimed at blind people. However, there's some doubt whether BG are offering new customers Variable DD on their new billing system, and one wonders whether the CD would be produced in a timely manner, let alone arrive without Royal Mail delays.

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Braille and audio letters

If you’re an energy or home services customer, we can provide your bills, statements and letters in Braille or large print format, or even on a CD for you to listen to.

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/priority-service-register

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A more realistic solution might be to ask Octopus whether the customer could call the PSR number a couple of days after giving a meter reading.  Octopus have a good reputation and would probably be the supplier most likely to help.  They offer Variable DD if you call them.

Keep_pedalling

Jelli said:

They don't have a smart meter, no, but yes they are able to give readings when asked to (would there be a monthly letter?).

I use to help but for various reasons can't anymore, and important things needed are paper communications and billing, and paying fully afterwards.

They are not going to get a monthly reminder to submit meter readings, they either need to get in the habit of submitting a monthly reading, get a smart meter or risk getting estimated bills.