On 25/03/2021 22:29, Max Demian wrote:
On 25/03/2021 18:41, Scott wrote:
On Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:28:57 +0000, Jeff Layman
wrote:

On 25/03/2021 16:25, Andy Burns wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:

I wanted a fixed tariff and to pay quarterly by cash/cheque.

Doubt you'll find one on offer.

https://my.edfenergy.com/gas-electricity/tariff-information-labels/

Enter any valid postcode. Select cash/cheque as payment method, then
click on "Apply filters", Then Cash/cheque Whole Amount (Quarterly).

Quite a few tariffs will appear (eventually - it's a slow website).

Why would anyone want to use cash or cheque? If you have a bank
account - as you obviously do - paying by direct debit is more
convenient, may give you a better tariff and is protected by the
direct debit guarantee if anything goes wrong..

The "direct debit guarantee" doesn't guarantee that they won't
overcharge you and use the surplus to maintain their cash flow. I prefer
quarterly in arrears, so I'm only paying for what I use. Of course, I
don't actually pay by cash or cheque, I pay by bank transfer online.
They don't give you the option of paying the quarterly charge by direct
debit (after telling you how much). (Credit card companies and BT manage
to do that.)

So do the water companies. The energy suppliers seem to be unique
amongst utility suppliers in almost demanding payment this way, and
heavily overcharging those who don't/won't use it (and ripping off those
who do - a win-win for them).

I pay all my bills by BACS immediately upon receipt. It's just taken me
a couple of minutes to set up a BACS Standing Order for my Council Tax
bill for 2021-22. The first payment is slightly higher than the
remaining nine. The council gets paid a few days early; I know exactly
when and what gets paid. I don't even have to check if a DD payment has
been made - it's between my bank and the council to sort out any problem
(although I've never known one to occur).

From what i understand, the energy companies' "DD guarantee" far from
saying that they won't overcharge you almost guarantees they will! If
not, why have Ofgem made a very-obvious public statement about the
overcharging?

--

Jeff