On 2008-02-29 23:12:18 +0000, Richard said:

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2008-02-28 22:37:51 +0000, "Clot" said:

Richard wrote:

Before she became SWMBO my wife was a BG customer and paid by
continuosly variable direct debit. BG consistently increased the sums
debitted and refused to believe any suggestion that they were taking
more than they were entitled so to do. They took no notice at all of
the actual units of gas used. The only way that she was able to get a
refund was to move house and not continue using gas.

This is why I still pay elec and gas bills by cheque and check the meter
readings!

I don't write cheques unless there is no alternative organisation from
which to make a purchase. Last year I wrote two. This year, I hope
not to write any. They aren't necessary and are a distinct
disadvantage to the consumer.

In what way are they a disadvantage to the consumer?

You have substantially less legal protection than if a credit vehicle
is used for payment.


Since BT started penalising me for not paying by DD I have stopped
paying by credit transfer and send them a cheque.

Which costs you in time and effort to write and post.



In addition my Osteopath prefers to be paid by cheque - processing them
costs him nothing whereas accepting credit or debit card payments does
cost him.

Untrue. It costs him time to process and bank the cheques.