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Companies causing distress by removing traditional payment means
Comments
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eskbanker said:https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/your-water-bill/payment-options/ certainly isn't very specific and definitely doesn't mandate that any customers have any right to insist on continuing to pay by preferred methods for reasons of maintaining traditions:
Your company should offer you a variety of payment frequencies so that you can choose the one that suits you best. This will vary between the water companies. Typical examples include paying the bill in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments or in full at the beginning of the charging year.
Many companies will consider special arrangements at the request of individual customers. Your company will discuss a realistic payment plan with you to make sure that any instalment plan agreed is achievable and can be maintained.
You should also be offered a choice of payment method.
Your water company is also required to offer a range of locations where you can pay your bill.
Visit your water company website for further details on the payment options it can offer you.
Still, can try. Much appreciated:)0 -
Personally, and it’s just that, I don’t think cash or paper should ever be removed. Things fail, paper doesn’t. Still, what can you do lol.1 -
Hoenir said:dw89 said:MattMattMattUK said:dw89 said:Very interesting to hear all of that
I take it all on board and don’t have an issue myself, I use apps like most, but although I hear your points clearly, don’t disagree with them, it’s just not applicable to all…choice or not. If it’s consumer led then fair game but in my experience it often isn’t even if it’s presented as such.
Just a qu but is not a bill, paid in arrears, a debt? Therefore shouldn’t any legal tender be applicable?
Anyway, just thought I’d ask as I didn’t know and I can relate whatever back.
Thanks all for replying
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-is-legal-tender
All appreciated.1 -
dw89 said:It’s a large Utility provider that is the only supplier, they removed all options that she uses, namely Cash, Transfer and Cheque. The only things that remain are storing cards (credit/debit), DD, or Apps. There’s also some pay thing (don’t know what it is myself but something to do with yet another card which can’t apply to her). If this is objectively against some regulation or law I’d be interested to know and I’ll try doing something about it.
My issue is that there’s no choice to go elsewhere so it should be inclusive and not the opposite. Surely people would be on board with that idea? We all get old and we shouldn’t have to pay to play where we have no choice in the matter with a Utility.
If we knew which water supplier it would help too, I mean I've checked the first 3 pages of water companies that appear on Google and all have multiple ways to pay most including cash at the post office, bank and/or some form of paypoint carddw89 said:Very interesting to hear all of thatI take it all on board and don’t have an issue myself, I use apps like most, but although I hear your points clearly, don’t disagree with them, it’s just not applicable to all…choice or not. If it’s consumer led then fair game but in my experience it often isn’t even if it’s presented as such.
Just a qu but is not a bill, paid in arrears, a debt? Therefore shouldn’t any legal tender be applicable?
If you pay your debt in legal tender to the court you can then not be sued for non-payment.1 -
My parents are in their 80s and simply cannot get their heads around online banking, anything on their phone past a text (mum only) or a call (with difficulty). It's not that they won't change, they simply don't understand how it all works however much time I patiently spend explaining. So they are gradually losing their independence. Thankfully they are with Nationwide, and they can get to the branch. Staff there are really understanding and sort out anything they need. Not all elderly people can adapt easily.
Ageuk are campaigning about services all moving online and how this is affecting older people. Scroll down on this page to see how many this affects
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/offline-overlooked/
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dw89 said:
Personally, and it’s just that, I don’t think cash or paper should ever be removed. Things fail, paper doesn’t. Still, what can you do lol.
For all the talk of cards or other electronic payment methods failing I genuinely can't think of a single instance in at least the last 10 years (and I use my card for everything) when this has ever created a problem for me.2 -
I am sad to read so much lack of understanding on here as to how difficult this world is for SOME older folk.Just because some of our older citizens can keep up and cope does not mean ALL can and we need to be a bit more compassionate to those struggling.The main reason for change is so often just to inrease profits and hence handouts so the stress to a few who do NOT understand the technology is real and will not be resolved by heartless folk saying 'tough, just get on with it'.What a nasty world we are becoming. Money is NOT the only thing worthwhile pursuing, inclusivity matters and not just for kids and minority groups.I hope these folk can be helped to find a resolution.5
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Paper bills can go missing in the post and not be delivered.1
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2childmum2 said:My parents are in their 80s and simply cannot get their heads around online banking, anything on their phone past a text (mum only) or a call (with difficulty). It's not that they won't change, they simply don't understand how it all works however much time I patiently spend explaining. So they are gradually losing their independence. Thankfully they are with Nationwide, and they can get to the branch. Staff there are really understanding and sort out anything they need. Not all elderly people can adapt easily.
Ageuk are campaigning about services all moving online and how this is affecting older people. Scroll down on this page to see how many this affects
That doesn't sound like not being able to cope with change but a degeneration in faculties which personally would make me worried about them trying to go into the bank and do anything on their own. I'm not implying the bank staff would be wanting to do something bad but if they've forgotten how to use a phone after 50 years of using one do they understand what they're asking the bank staff to do? My great aunt was sending money in envelopes to her long dead nephew for years before someone caught and stopped her.2 -
DullGreyGuy said:dw89 said:It’s a large Utility provider that is the only supplier, they removed all options that she uses, namely Cash, Transfer and Cheque. The only things that remain are storing cards (credit/debit), DD, or Apps. There’s also some pay thing (don’t know what it is myself but something to do with yet another card which can’t apply to her). If this is objectively against some regulation or law I’d be interested to know and I’ll try doing something about it.
My issue is that there’s no choice to go elsewhere so it should be inclusive and not the opposite. Surely people would be on board with that idea? We all get old and we shouldn’t have to pay to play where we have no choice in the matter with a Utility.0
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