Good morning. The weather looks good for a walk.
My utility company sold out to British Gas a few months ago. I decided to let the changeover go ahead rather than hunt around for another company. I specified that I wanted to keep to the same arrangements that I had with Ebico, pay quarterly at the Post Office on a paper bill. They said that would be ok.
A couple of weeks ago I got notification by email that a bill was now ready. When I checked it I found it was for £1.56, for one days usage when the changeover took place in November. How daft, I thought. I replied and said I need a paper bill. They said they would send one.
Bill arrived and I went to the Post Office to pay. The bill is no good because it doesn't have a bar code on it, they can't accept it.
Then I got another bill for a much higher amount which I was expecting, again on their web site. So where is my paper bill? I put new meter readings in so it was up to date. I clicked on the button at the bottom of the screen to be connected to an adviser. I explained in a short paragraph what was happening, and waited. I was 73rd in the queue.
The number went down and it was my turn. The person, (Indian name) said what can I do to help you? I have already told them that, so I had to repeat the message. Then there was a delay, and the connection was cut, at their end, so I had to start again. I was put back to 123rd in the queue.
Eventually someone else came on the line, a different Indian name. So I had to explain again. I need a paper bill with a bar code. The person checked my account and I confirmed my address. This new person seemed to be a bit more clued up, and said that a bill would arrive in the post within ten days. Fine.
I wait to see if it will have a bar code. They do everything to push you towards automatic payments, online and apps. They offer the facility to pay quarterly on a bill, at the Post Office or bank, but do everything to make it more difficult. And I like to keep my paper bills for future reference.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks for popping in. Have a nice Sunday. Toodle pip. ilona
PS. Don't forget, it's check in day tomorrow for the International Walking Group.
I understand completely Ilona. We drew our pension out from the Post Office for years but 'they' wanted us to have it put into the bank. We held off for as long a we could but in the end they won.
ReplyDeleteProbably be the same with this 'Experimental Jab' if you refuse. You will be pestered until you give in.
I prefer to wait and see what the outcome is before I get my genes messed about with.
Briony
x
Yes, I will wait as well. I don't like what I am reading, it is an experiment.
DeleteOur power supply wanted to put up our monthly payment using the words "for our own good" so "we don't get into debt". We are 70 we have spent years looking after ourselves thank you. Cheek.
ReplyDeleteI think these people work from a script. They are told what to say.
DeleteAll the same these companies, I was with Npower now with E-on from Nov 2020, on quarterly bills now it seems on monthly bills, Nov-Dec - gas used £123 and eon wanted another meter reading last week and gas used £111 (Dec -Jan) on I've got 7 days to pay, even though they get £12 a week by standing order and now pestering for direct debit. Central heating not on 24/7 , gas cooker on 1 hour a day and a new combi boiler 5 years ago (serviced each year), so time to phone up for a chat I think...Jo
ReplyDeleteI wish we wouldn't have to keep chasing them up.
DeleteKnow how you feel Ilona. Natwest have sent an email to say they are stopping on line banking and you have to download the app. How can you do this without a Smart device? Now I have to go back to getting paper statements! I have had the Pfizer jab as I am 76. Not happy but felt I had no choice. Now they are saying there could be problems with supply for the second one. No way am I having a different one if the Pfizer one is not available! My daughter who suffers from an auto immune disease has decided she is not having it.
ReplyDeleteThe publicity surrounding the vaccine is making it very difficult for people to choose.
DeleteI don't like the ways things are going concerning how companies/banks want us to do everything online. A lot of companies have their customer service online and if there is a phone number to contact they make us wait a long time before anyone answers , like what happened to you Ilona. Russia has already developed missiles that can knock out all of our technology, what then if this does happen one day, we wont have any paper copies of anything to prove how much we have in our bank accounts etc etc. As for the vaccination, something just does not feel right about it to me. I don't know what, however I am going to stay with my gut feeling until its proved otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI like to keep paper copies of everything.
DeleteRead up all you can, make your own mind up about the vaccine.
The worst power company I have ever dealt with was British Gas. When there was a problem, to do with them messing up previous paperwork, and I phoned them, they took forever to answer and then when they did and I explained, the person on the other end of the phone would just cut the line, because they couldn't be bothered dealing with something complex. This happened repeatedly. Then I found that they had passed me on to a debt collection company, before they had even investigated the case. It was a complete nightmare. Later that year I read that there had been a record number of complaints to OFCOM about them, so at least I wasn't the only one! Hope you are having a nice weekend :)
ReplyDeleteIf British Gas keep messing me about, I shall be changing supplier.
DeleteI had a nice walk today, thank you.
I'm hanging onto paper bills for electric too if I can.
ReplyDeleteHow long will you wait to see peoples reactions to the covid vaccine before you decide one way or the other?
I am not putting a time limit on it. I am reading and listening.
DeleteOn the news that some people have died from the 2nd jab of the vaccine. Was considering it but now going to wait and see for few months. About the frustration with calling businesses and having to deal with them, I have always wished I could be totally off grid and on my own. Have heated with just wood stove years ago for many years so when power went out me and my children were just fine. Could cook on it too! Loved those years of self sufficiency and may do it again even in my retirement. Tired of being fearful that if SHTF and we would all be lost and panicking. Snowing here in the states, 6 to 12 inches thru Tuesday. Hope the power stays on!!!! Blessings to you.............Sharon
ReplyDeleteBest wait and see. Don't rush into anything.
DeleteI get most bills online now to avoid having them sent in the mail which is taking months to arrive since the pandemic and less workers to deliver. But I print them out at home to put in my files and that works fine for me.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that you have your own system for filing your bills. I don't have a printer.
DeletePrinters are really cheap these days. I know you are being forced into it, but I believe its better to avoid all the angst. I also find my printer useful for printing out free knitting patterns and enlarging craft designs.
DeleteMy dual fuel is with SSE. I have power statements and pay when bills arrive, not direct debit. No problems at all. I suffer with asthma and hubby does too. We have both had our jabs with absolutely no ill effects except a sore arm. We both feel more confident now going out and about. Although it doesn't stop you getting ill, it lessons the illness of you do catch it. Nothing to lose. If it means we live to be old then why not.
ReplyDeleteIf British Gas don't get their act in order, I might be moving to SSE.
DeleteHow do you know its British gas that's the problem and not the post office?
ReplyDeleteWhen you pay British gas at the post office, the payment is now handled by "payzone" All that should be required is your utility reference number.
Is it possible that the post office doesnt know how the payzone system works, so believes a barcode is required?
Just an alternative question. I'm sure British gas and post office payments and/or payzone will have some FAQs on it.
My other bills that I get in the post have a bar code, which the Post Office can scan. Never a problem. My BG bill was printed off by one of their work from home people, so it didn't have a bar code. Admitted that my Post Office is an outreach service. If the next one doesn't have a bar code I shall send a cheque in the post, just to annoy them a bit more. I am fighting a cause here for all those who don't have the facilities to pay online, or automatically from their bank accounts.
DeleteAlso just to add, you can order paper bills from British gas online without having to phone.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/bills-and-payments/getting-a-paper-copy-of-your-bill
I did that when I first signed up with them. It was acknowledged that would happen. It hasn't. No paper bill, now I have to ask for it.
DeleteSame thing happened to me, Ilona, last week. I called about a bill, got a guy from India who was polite, asked if he could put me on hold for two minutes. Five minutes later, he returned. He asked if he could check on something for me and be right back. I said that was fine. Twentyeight minutes later I got tired of waiting. I had already spent over 35 minutes on the phone trying to get something resolved. I will be 66 soon and I don't have that many minutes to wait.
ReplyDeleteMy patience is wearing thin the older I get. They offer a quarterly paper bill with several options to pay, including at a Post Office.
DeleteIt is no fun having to wait in queque for talking with some one and they are India people. Some understand and some do not. Hopefully the people who don't quite understand get more training. I have that happen to me when calling about Norton that I have on my laptop. Sometimes I don't understand what they are saying. I hope it all works out for you soon and things straighten out for the company since more people were added to it. Take care!! Cheerio!!!
ReplyDeleteI think BG had a massive increase in customers when they took over another company. The problem with asking for a paper bill is that most of their staff work from home, so don't have the facilities to print and send them out. If that is the case then they should no longer offer that option.
DeleteIf like the contact centre I work in, there wont be printers in peoples homes or envelopes that they take to the post office. They will just simply choose on their computer program to send out a hard copy of a bill and some centralized robot will print what is required, put it in an envelope and send it.
DeleteThe person at home wont be physically printing anything off. Theres absolutely no reason that you cant get a paper bill it says you can have one and how to request one without the need to speak to a call handler, on their site.
If you do consider changing your electricity/gas supplier how about testing their phone enquiry system first by ringing with a general enquiry? We are with with SO (paperless I'm afraid but you could print your statements at the library when things are back to normal) and they are fairly prompt in answering the phone and the call centre is in the UK. It could save a lot on your bills.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of options as you say, but I am a stubborn old mare and want to do things my way.
DeleteOur companies now have the cheek to charge extra for a paper bill. It's a small charge, but I don't think it's right of them to do it. Thankfully I only get one paper bill and will switch to getting it online when the next one arrives. Then I pay it online and make a note of the electronic receipt number in my budget notebook.
ReplyDeleteI think it has always been the case that paper bills cost a bit more than electronic online bills. I don't mind paying that.
Deleteone of those irritating gripes of modern society , i have endless problems with Anglian Water and there weird billing practices so i would like paper bills but no im constantly having to print off bills .
ReplyDeleteMy Anglian bill comes through the post twice a year.
DeleteNot quite the same but i feel like im being harrassed by swalec(sse) to have a smart meter put in. I keep getting letters phone calls and emails telling me to book my appointment as they are in my area waiting for me to book! Ive not requested a smart meter but i feel like im going to be hunted down and made to have one! Its all worded like i asked for one, which i havent! 😂
ReplyDeleteThe roll out programme for smart meters is way behind schedule, I wouldn't be surprised if they abandon it altogether. A lot of accommodation is unsuitable for them, meter in the wrong place, multi occupancy buildings, and places where the signal is poor. It is not law yet so they can't make you have one. Keep saying no.
DeleteI was with Union energy years ago, which went into Ebico...but now I have been with Ecotricity for a long time..looks after customers well and their hq is in Stroud...and their bills are understandable!! Also they were the first to charge every customer the same per unit, however they paid.
ReplyDelete