Payment of energy invoices by direct debit?

debitcardmayhem

2BorNot said:

Doesn't seem to me to be a justifiable reason to totally deny those who want it.

Who is denying it ? 

molerat

debitcardmayhem said:

2BorNot said:

Doesn't seem to me to be a justifiable reason to totally deny those who want it.

Who is denying it ? 

BG for one.

mmmmikey

2BorNot said:

Doesn't seem to me to be a justifiable reason to totally deny those who want it.

Different suppliers have different service offerings, it's just a question of choosing a supplier that offers the service that you would like.

Eldi_Dos

molerat said:

debitcardmayhem said:

2BorNot said:

Doesn't seem to me to be a justifiable reason to totally deny those who want it.

Who is denying it ? 

BG for one.

The new BG billing system /webpage (if you have a smart meter) gives you daily/ weekly/monthly/ yearly costs including the S/C and the facility to easly change your DD.
So if you wanted to set your payment date to around the start of the month you can then pay previous months costs.Or make a one off payment if you do not want to alter DD.

WiserMiser

Robin9 said:

Edf ................

....... but DIRE customer service.

WiserMiser

You probably won't be able to switch to Variable DD now that you're on the new BG billing system, although you would have been able to keep it if you'd had it on the old system.

WiserMiser

MyRealNameToo said:

2BorNot said:

Thanks for these comments. I'm with Eon for electricity (smart meter) and British Gas for Gas (old meter). On variable tariffs and thinking of moving but would like to change to variable DD if at all possible.
Why isn't MSE pushing for more availability of variable DD contracts given all the hassles caused by fixed ones?

Because for most fixed DDs create much less hassles and gives people certainty over what their bills are going to be -v- unexpectedly getting a big bill which you have to be able to pay in full.

In reality, a so-called Fixed DD won't stay fixed for long.

If it's the Standard Variable Tariff, it'll change every three months in line with Ofgem's Price Cap.

If it's a Fixed Rate Tariff but it turns out that you used more than expected then your FDD will be increased twice over: once to reflect the higher consumption and again to repay the arrears.

If you don't have a fully working smart meter and you don't send monthly readings you could get a very nasty catch-up bill when the meter is eventually read.

pseudodox

With smart meters, IHDs, energy monitoring apps etc why does anyone have to get an unexpected bill these days?  I keep a spreadsheet of my usage & at any point in a month I can quickly see what my usage/cost is to date.  Either adjust usage or put extra money aside OR go on a spree because the next bill is going to be a low one!

I pay MVDD with EDF.  We live in a country with cold winters - so I regard my winter bills are normal and my summer ones as low.  A bonus in summer which allows me to take care of other annual essentials like VED, motor insurance, house insurance, a couple of annual subscriptions & even have enough for days out & ice cream treats.

And why are those of us on MVDD any more likely to default on payments?  Someone on FDD can equally change or cancel the payment or not have sufficient funds in their bank account.

FDD is certainly ideal for many people, who find it difficult to budget.  But everyone should have a choice that suits them.

MWT

Like it or not, it is not a required payment method, so suppliers do not have to offer it.

matelodave

pseudodox said:

FDD is certainly ideal for many people, who find it difficult to budget.  But everyone should have a choice that suits them.

Everyone does have a choice, possibly not with their current or even preferred supplier but they also have the choice to decide how they want to be paid.

If you don't like what you are being offered go somewhere else rather than having a whinge, the solution is down to you