Business water supply missed DD charge

Corky83

For reference-

I am a self employed beauty therapist with a one room salon based in Scotland.

I am with Castle Water for my water.

I was off sick and missed a direct debit payment. (Yes, I’m well aware this shouldn’t have occurred).
 The missed payment charge was £57!!! 

This is more than the monthly bill itself @ £44.63.

I’m just appalled how they can charge this amount to small businesses and I’ve never come across before.

I’m presuming since it’s in my contract I can’t appeal it etc but just wanted to know if anyone has any advice (besides not letting this happen again!) or has anyone experience led similiar?

Brie

I'd be talking to the supplier about this and say that it's not a reasonable charge for the service?    I know that the term "reasonable" is more for the personal supply rather than the business side but it's still worthwhile asking about it.  Frankly I've found water companies the most sensible when it comes to bills compared to other utilities.  (England based)

Hoenir

Is the charge broken down on the invoice? 

Corky83

No, just a ‘unpaid direct debit charge’ of £57

I think I’ll question it and ask it to be broken down and see what they come back with.

Thank you 

MattMattMattUK

How does one miss a Direct Debit payment when the come out automatically? 

DullGreyGuy

MattMattMattUK said:

How does one miss a Direct Debit payment when the come out automatically? 

Presumably it bounced due to insufficient funds. 

Corky83 said:

For reference-

I am a self employed beauty therapist with a one room salon based in Scotland.

I am with Castle Water for my water.

I was off sick and missed a direct debit payment. (Yes, I’m well aware this shouldn’t have occurred).
 The missed payment charge was £57!!! 

This is more than the monthly bill itself @ £44.63.

I’m just appalled how they can charge this amount to small businesses and I’ve never come across before.

I’m presuming since it’s in my contract I can’t appeal it etc but just wanted to know if anyone has any advice (besides not letting this happen again!) or has anyone experience led similiar?

Why are you presuming it's in your contract rather than reading your contract?  

There are far less protection for businesses than there are for private individuals as business are supposed to know that they need to read contracts and either have people who can do this or know they need to pay someone to do it. Businesses also tend to have to pay more for services than private individuals, just look at business bank accounts where cancelling a DD is £15 or paying a cheque is £1 both of which would be free for a consumer. 

Ultimately you can speak to them and throw yourself on their mercy but dont hold your breath.