Non online tariff fix? (needle in haystack)

Stokieblokie

Hi all
We're here again - Mum, is in her eighties, is not computer literate nor a smartphone user so does not do email, but is very independent and likes to manage her own affairs.

Her latest gas and electric statement from Scottish power outlined how much the increases in cost would be, but told her she could have a fixed tariff which would save her money.

However, when she phoned up to request the fixed tariff which they had promised in the letter, she was told she could not have the cheaper rate as she does not have an email address.
I think this is discrimination of the elderly, as I did when asking about a similar situation with Sky.  I was told no it isn't/its a digital age/get over yourself/do it for her.  None of which was helpful.

However I am not here to shout about that.  I am here to ask the question does anyone know of any providers who will allow their cheaper fixed rates to go to someone who works in the name and address, paper bill, pay direct debit, no internet or email involved fashion, that she has always been able to do?  Does anyone know of any?  
Would really appreciate your help

QrizB

I don't know the answer, sorry.

I think you'll have to phone around the suppliers and ask. Start with the bigger ones; there's only half a dozen of them.

elsien

Is it not possible to set up a fixed tariff with an email address (which you could monitor for her If she’s not up for learning)  then have paper bills?
86-year-old parents is computer literate and does have an online account but still has paper bills sent out and phones them to make any change to the direct debit or to discuss anything rather than using the online system - That’s with Eonnext.

Stokieblokie

Hi
Thanks for your answers.  Scot power did suggest she has her bills sent to my email, then each month when I receive it I have to contact them to have a paper bill generated for her.
She is strongly against that, she feels like that would be an extra hassle for me (I don't mind, but it should be her choice)
It is her business, and she wants her independence and since forever if you have an address and a bank account you can manage your own affairs, now you can't.  Or at least you are going to pay over the odds.
Looks like ringing around the suppliers is the way to go.  Suppose I posted on the offchance someone had faced this already and could point me in the right direction
thanks

Scot_39

EOn Next switched me to paperless billing as soon as signed up for online account for my smart meter upgrade.

Not sure paper option was given.

EOn was paper before.

Parents were on online only fixes at SP  - came with online billing only IIRC.  And stayed online only at end of fix.

And despite her never using fixes SG only send 1 annual paper summary to sister, quarterly bills on line no emails.  Didn't even get a cap change or bill due soon send readings email this time round.

Digital exclusion is becoming a big issue for many  - young and old.

In a local town their is now only 1 car park accepting cash - rest app or contactless cards.

Sister hates pcs but uses reluctantly and wont use phone apps for anything - let alone banking etc.  And she's not even pensionable age.

I am the opposite.  I prefer on line and don't trust the post.

MattMattMattUK

Stokieblokie said:

Hi
Thanks for your answers.  Scot power did suggest she has her bills sent to my email, then each month when I receive it I have to contact them to have a paper bill generated for her.
She is strongly against that, she feels like that would be an extra hassle for me (I don't mind, but it should be her choice)
It is her business, and she wants her independence and since forever if you have an address and a bank account you can manage your own affairs, now you can't.  Or at least you are going to pay over the odds.
Looks like ringing around the suppliers is the way to go.  Suppose I posted on the offchance someone had faced this already and could point me in the right direction
thanks

Before that you could with just cash, no need for a bank account, before that goats or wheat for barter was enough, the thing is times change, systems and processes evolve, people have to adapt.

I would suggest that to make your mother's life easier it may be worth teaching her the basics. Refusing to adapt to a digital life already makes life harder and more expensive and that is only going to become a bigger issue going forward. More and more places are stopping accepting cash, more and more card payments will require 2FA via a banking app, more and more services will only be provided via an email address and those that do not will be more expensive. Your local council may offer digital literacy courses, mine does (I helped teach them for a while) and many people attended because they preferred to be taught by a stranger than a family member. 

matelodave

MattMattMattUK said:

Stokieblokie said:

Hi
Thanks for your answers.  Scot power did suggest she has her bills sent to my email, then each month when I receive it I have to contact them to have a paper bill generated for her.
She is strongly against that, she feels like that would be an extra hassle for me (I don't mind, but it should be her choice)
It is her business, and she wants her independence and since forever if you have an address and a bank account you can manage your own affairs, now you can't.  Or at least you are going to pay over the odds.
Looks like ringing around the suppliers is the way to go.  Suppose I posted on the offchance someone had faced this already and could point me in the right direction
thanks

Before that you could with just cash, no need for a bank account, before that goats or wheat for barter was enough, the thing is times change, systems and processes evolve, people have to adapt.

I would suggest that to make your mother's life easier it may be worth teaching her the basics. Refusing to adapt to a digital life already makes life harder and more expensive and that is only going to become a bigger issue going forward. More and more places are stopping accepting cash, more and more card payments will require 2FA via a banking app, more and more services will only be provided via an email address and those that do not will be more expensive. Your local council may offer digital literacy courses, mine does (I helped teach them for a while) and many people attended because they preferred to be taught by a stranger than a family member. 

Interesting about your local council offering free digital courses - so doe ours.

My mate (age 82) went for 12 weeks and was given a shiny new HP laptop (Intel i5, 16gb + 512ram, mouse and carry bag) which he was allowed to keep provided he attended all the session. He's now learning how to use 3D drawing software

Apparently there were two on the course who were obviously computer literate but just went to get the free laptop

elsien

Scot_39 said:

EOn Next switched me to paperless billing as soon as signed up for online account for my smart meter upgrade.

Not sure paper option was given.

EOn was paper before.

Parents were on online only fixes at SP  - came with online billing only IIRC.  And stayed online only at end of fix.

And despite her never using fixes SG only send 1 annual paper summary to sister, quarterly bills on line no emails.  Didn't even get a cap change or bill due soon send readings email this time round.

Digital exclusion is becoming a big issue for many  - young and old.

In a local town their is now only 1 car park accepting cash - rest app or contactless cards.

Sister hates pcs but uses reluctantly and wont use phone apps for anything - let alone banking etc.  And she's not even pensionable age.

I am the opposite.  I prefer on line and don't trust the post.

You can phone up and ask to be switched back to paper statements. 

MattMattMattUK

matelodave said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Stokieblokie said:

Hi
Thanks for your answers.  Scot power did suggest she has her bills sent to my email, then each month when I receive it I have to contact them to have a paper bill generated for her.
She is strongly against that, she feels like that would be an extra hassle for me (I don't mind, but it should be her choice)
It is her business, and she wants her independence and since forever if you have an address and a bank account you can manage your own affairs, now you can't.  Or at least you are going to pay over the odds.
Looks like ringing around the suppliers is the way to go.  Suppose I posted on the offchance someone had faced this already and could point me in the right direction
thanks

Before that you could with just cash, no need for a bank account, before that goats or wheat for barter was enough, the thing is times change, systems and processes evolve, people have to adapt.

I would suggest that to make your mother's life easier it may be worth teaching her the basics. Refusing to adapt to a digital life already makes life harder and more expensive and that is only going to become a bigger issue going forward. More and more places are stopping accepting cash, more and more card payments will require 2FA via a banking app, more and more services will only be provided via an email address and those that do not will be more expensive. Your local council may offer digital literacy courses, mine does (I helped teach them for a while) and many people attended because they preferred to be taught by a stranger than a family member. 

Interesting about your local council offering free digital courses - so doe ours.

My mate (age 82) went for 12 weeks and was given a shiny new HP laptop (Intel i5, 16gb + 512ram, mouse and carry bag) which he was allowed to keep provided he attended all the session. He's now learning how to use 3D drawing software

Apparently there were two on the course who were obviously computer literate but just went to get the free laptop

That is a pretty amazing deal, I know a few people who could really do with a free laptop and if that was an option would happily go on a course. Weirdly my council asks people who want to go on the digital literacy course to apply online... so they need a helpful friend or family member to get on the course. Not sure if it is accidental or deliberate by the council!