Processing Charge

I've just had my latest BT 'phone bill and noticed a �£4.50 "processing charge" had been added. I contacted the customer service department and was informed that this charge was levied on anybody who paid their bills by any other method than direct debit.
My next-door neighbour tells me that he has heard that other companies are considering adopting this nice little earner.
Can we expect to be paying �£5.50 for a loaf of bread soon....�£1 for the loaf and �£4.50 processing charge because we haven't set up a standing order in favour of the local baker?

 

Thanks for the info. shiney.
BT also, apparently, make the charge for cash payments at Paypoint outlets...according to the advice I was given ANY payment which is not direct debit.
Although I have a bank account, being a pauper, I can't always afford to have a few thousand hanging around in a current account so like to keep an eye on what's going in and out. I don't trust direct debits, especially when companies estimate the amounts which are always likely to favour themselves. This policy also discriminates against the very poor whose income falls below the level required to open a bank account these days.
As for the amount being charged..�£4.50...I think it's daylight robbery.

 

Totally agree Jack, I dont mind Direct debits on things that come up with a proper bill each month, but no way will I allow d/d on anything where they like to estimate your actual usage.
As you say �£4.50 is daylight robbery, I think the practice should actually be illegal, at one time they was talking of charging you extra if you payed by credit card.
Its all just another rip off.

 

Hi Jack, they did an article on this on Watchdog a little while ago, the link to the website is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/services/services_20070314.shtml

they are encouraging people to write in and protest, I think they said on the program that BT were prepared to drop the charges for individuals in certain situations (whatever that means), worth a go anyway

[ 08. May 2007, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: D1zibl0nde ]

 

Thanks for that D1ziblOnde.
When I saw the heading "Penalty Charges" I thought, "But I always pay on time"....and then realised that so does everybody else that the article relates to!
I shall certainly send this letter to BT. I've already written to my MP about it, but am wondering if a "Champagne Socialist" will think a matter of �£4.50 is a fuss over nothing. We'll see.

 

Argh!!! What next! Seems these companies just rip the customers off as they like.
Tony and his Cronies don't seem to be bothered but then a few pounds
here and there won't make much difference to them will it?

Thanks for the Watchdog link - I think I shall be using it :rolleyes:


.

 

Glad you found it useful. Good for you writing to your mp. We need to stand up to these large companies, sometimes they forget who the customer is!

 

I don't understand this charge. I pay my bill via online banking which has less processes in the payment from me to them than a DD !

They should just be honest and say that it is a liability offset charge of non or late payments spread accross their customer base not using DD's. If they were clever they would already be doing this in their pricing but on the basis that they are already too expensive this is the easiest option for BT.

 

I don't have a problem with direct debits, because I check my bank account carefully. But I do have a problem with high-handedness.

However, at the end of the day, we only have ourselves to blame. We accept it and do nothing. Big companies rely on our inertia to rip us off. If more people closed their accounts and moved to another supplier, the companies would think much more carefully before they tried this sort of thing.

What about moving to another company if thats possible. I moved away from BT and British Gas some time ago, and have been saving money ever since. I would like to pay my council tax to another council - but they won't allow that. :D

 

PeterS.
Maybe this one will get people going and they will complain in their droves. As I said, I've written to my MP about the charge and I have now used the letter given on the BBC website following the link posted by Diziblonde.
As for leaving BT, I already get most of my calls from my Internet provider company but still pay BT for line rental. Up 'til now I've only been able to afford a cheap weekday dial-up internet connection so have needed the BT line - but if this charge is to remain it might be just as well for me to investigate a broadband package and other 'phone options.

 

Simple solution - tell BT to remove the charge or remove the phone. Mobile rates are just as competitive if you are carefull and shop around.