Broadband, gas, electric, without direct debit?

[cloggs]

Does anyone share my dislike of direct debits, to the extent that they may have investigated service providers of e.g. broadband, gas & electricity that do not insist on direct debit bill payments nor penalise you for using an alternative method of bill payment? Can anyone recommend a broadband provider giving good service and without insisting on direct debits or penalising you for using an alternative method of bill payment?

[Ethel]

I love direct debits - have been using them for as many things as I possibly can for years without one single problem.

I hate sending cheques, which are being phased out anyway, and queueing to pay bills with cash.

What is there to dislike about DDs?

[johnny37]

I love direct debits. I have been using them for years for all my bills with no problem whatsoeve. Used monthly I know exactly how much is coming out of my account every month so do not get any nasty surprises with quartery or yearly bills. They first thing I did when my children left home was help them to set up their monthly direct debits.
Go for it.

[birdwoman]

You are not getting penalised for not paying by DD. These companies offer an incentive for people to pay by DD so they get a small discount.

[dzug]

As a user of DD I would object to subsidising those who insist for one reason or another on paying by an administratively more expensive means.

[caz247]

not everyone has the option of DD
many people have basic accounts without this facility

[buildersmate]

Then maybe it is time they upgraded their accounts to take advantage of the discounts afforded to DD users.

[summernowen]

hi i hate dd as i my partner gets paid every 4 weeks so not the same date every month! I have arranged with everything to actually ring the up and give my details over the phone or they send out an address and i can post them a cheque or postal order i am with virgin media and never had a problem!