Cancel Your Direct Debit Day

Terrylw1

John,

I would agree. The utilities tend to always be one step ahead of those that should be regulating their practices.

I have a pretty low opinion of those in charge of the regulation in the elec industry, although in the past 4 years Energywatch has progressed from being a big joke to Suppliers to a more credible watchdog.

I think that these companies need looking at from the inside, not just in terms of pricing. They waste so much money it's unbelievable and prices go up to cover that too.

weegie.geek

They can charge over the odds solely because people can't be bothered to change.

If you're lazy, you get charged more, the same with every other product or service.

Terrylw1 wrote:

I think that these companies need looking at from the inside, not just in terms of pricing. They waste so much money it's unbelievable and prices go up to cover that too.

I've only got first-hand experience of Scottish Power, but I completely agree. Staff turnover in their call centres are ludicrously high (more so than any other call centre I've worked in) - they'll employ anyone, and treat everyone equally badly, so even the people who would be reliable get sick of it and leave after a few months.

fergman

Thanks for the replies.

I agree with JohnG

Boycott payment completely - It sounds a tad radical (not a sixth-form rant) but it could work. I don't really go for the penalty fines argument as we'll end up paying more anyway. There seems to be a cartel (Fat Cats getting fatter) backed by a very weak government (do they represent the common people - I think not). Canceling DDs is one mechanism of many to lower prices for us all.

The only way to decrease the cost is a national boycott, just don't pay, are the power companies going to cut all power off to say a million households?

I look forward to your replies.......

JohnG

weegie.geek wrote: »

They can charge over the odds solely because people can't be bothered to change.

If you're lazy, you get charged more, the same with every other product or service.

I don't think being lazy is a fair explanation - speaking for myself, I feel uneasy at changing because of potential problems, particularly with outstanding or duplicate billing (We had problems when we switched the last time - a few years back now though). Plus there's a feeling of "Better the Devil you know" especially as it's inevitable the company you switch to is going to put it's charges up sooner or later so therefore wonder if it's worth the hassle?

Of course that's probably not really the best way to look at the situation as by switching it should put pressure on all the companies to be more competitive hence I am/we are now looking to change from NP- whether it's the right time I don't know??

Also, as I mentioned before, there are many elderly customers who simply don't want to have the worry of changing to a company or system they don't know.

I know for a fact that a simple statement or letter in the post can cause them panic, so to expect many of them to confidently switch back and forth is just not practical especially as many of them don't have or want to have access to the internet.

"Lazy"? I don't think so....... Complacent, maybe, apprehensive maybe, sceptical maybe, whatever, it's all a pain in the ****.

DGJsaver

in my opinion it is going to be very very hard for anyone in retirment age to understand and carry out switching , you can barely get my mum onto a PC and she`s only 50 , there must be thousands and thusands of people like her paying well over the odds and will continue to do so,its difficult enough for us younguns (i like to think of 31 as nice and young...:rolleyes: )

lesley1960

The only way to decrease the cost is a national boycott, just don't pay, are the power companies going to cut all power off to say a million households?

I look forward to your replies.......


Who knows? , but i bet it wont make them reduce their prices .........targetting all the fuel companies gives them no incentive to be more competive surely?

BexTech

fergman wrote: »

I have an idea - consumers hold the power right?

A national 'Cancel Your Direct Debit Day'. This will give the power companies something to think about. I propose we all cancel our Gas/Electric DDs say on the 1st March 2008. The utility companies will not be able to cope with the cancellations and panic will set in. This will force them into reducing their charges, they'll have no option. Hit them where it hurts, No income, No profits, No shareholder payouts!

What do you think?

What a stupid idea!

Are you going to pay the £200+ annual difference for when they switch me from my online DD tariff that is no longer available to a quarterly pay by cash / cheque tariff (the dearest except PP they do)???

:rolleyes: