Non Direct Debit

[Green Howard]

Because I do not have a Direct Debit with NTL/Virgin my bills have been charged �5.00 extra because of this, is this legal or not. I have always paid my bills on time, but they call it a handling charge.

[stokeace]

its a rip off but a legal 1

[Ethel]

Because I pay by Direct Debit, I get a �5 discount from Virgin.

In fairness, a direct debit is trouble free for Virgin - the money goes straight to their account and they can rely on it.

They have to employ people to open envelopes and process the cheques. This isn't just a matter of wages, but space as well.

Your choice though.

[johnny37]

I hate paying more than i have to. My utility bills are discounted because I pay by direct debit. Its perfectly safe. Anything goes wrong the company or bank are liable, not you.

[Green Howard]

Thankyou for your answers, but at the time of contract there was no mention of having to take out DD, or that I would have to pay an extra �5.00 per bill for not doing so. It's not that I am against DD but I like to be in control of my finances and don't mind paying through the Post Office, which is basically the same as the money goes direct to their account. To me this is just another money scam which needs resolving don't you think?.

[Ethel]

You ARE in control of your finances with DD.

You can see how much is going out and when.

You can cancel a direct debit, or set it up, online - if your bank provides online banking.

I am more in control of my money now than I ever was. I log in regularly to my account, check balances, make payments and manage direct debits, standing orders, direct bank transfers all from the comfort of my own home.

I am not at the mercy of Royal Mail, save on stamps and envelopes and get substantial discounts from the following for paying by DD:

Council Tax
Electricity supplier
Gas Supplier
Virgin
Home insurance
Motor insurance

If I am taken ill and rushed into hospital, go on holiday or any other situation, my bills are still paid.

I really cannot understand why people do like direct debits.

[Ethel]

I meant, of course, that I really do not know why people DON'T like direct debits.

[Green Howard]

Once again thankyou ethel for your comments, all taken on board. Unfortunately , not everyone is in a position to have a bank account, and most people will pay their bills on time so does this still give NTL/Virgin the right to demand money from people for doing nothing wrong, I think not. Pure robbery at least Dick Turpin wore a mask, more than I can say for Branson.

[muffty]

Could be worse - BT are charging �18 for non d/d accounts!!!

[Kathyan]

We pay everything by DD. I check our bank account on a regular basis. One month an insurance was paid twice, I rang the bank and one of the payments was reversed immediately. I wouldn't pay by any other method.

[bednobs]

i dont think you get charged "extra" you just get a discount with dd

[joko]

no, it is not a discount at all!!! - it is an extra fee!!

it is added onto the usual price.

the line rental price is the same as usual - this is extra.

i have been with this company for 10 years so i know it is not a discount because the rental price does not show that

many people do not have a regular income and cannot always be sure how much will be in the account and when so it is unfair
they managed perfectly well before dd was popular, i don't see why its now all of sudden a huge hassle for them.

[kempie]

In the mid 90s British Gas were the first company in the UK to offer discounts to customers who paid by DD. This prompted many more companies to offer the same type of discount.

However this trend has recently been turned on its head by Virgin Media, and soon by British Telecom, who are charging an extra fee for all non-DD payments.

[muffty]

kempie see my original post ^^^^

Insurance companies were the only ones to charge a levy on non full payment of premiums, (up until now) - even half yearly credit card payments didn't escape the "hidden" extras. Both our car and household insurance charged extra unless paid in full. The utility companies (gas + electric) have always maintained that it helps them to have payments via d/d so reward customers accordingly.

The best thing on the net is managing your bank accounts, better than phoning through to check balances etc.