Those of us who are small SHAREHOLDERS IN BT can make our feelings felt at the coming AGM. Vote with your feet, then question the charges.

Thanks for everyone's comments they're very relevant and topical to what's going on at the moment.

This is something we're seriously looking at right now and we intend to release some research around the subject very soon so watch this space.

Cheers

Jason

Why start with BT? BT are only charging £1.50 per month. Virgin Media charge £5 per month. Utility companies charge between £6 and £9 per month. Start with the worst offenders, not the cheapest.

I agree that only late-payers should be charged. We are in the minority. Look at all the people here complaining about banks charging penalties. Moneysupermarketers (punters and experts) seem to favour companies who charge cash payers more.

Thanks for the reply!

Do you know if TS are taking action againts BT?

And what about OFCOM?

Thanks for you comment!

Don't you agree that it would better if BT gave it's customers the £18 + interest back in the end of the year for does who pay on time, that would be a more sensible approach. And if customers don't pay after warning simply cut the service... What's the problem? Every thing now is digital they can terminate the service they provide at any time on the touch of a button...

Thanks.

Thank for your comment!

Why should I !!? It's their problem not mine. They probably should consider to have better accountants, manager and public relations. This kind of management is absurd. If customers don't pay on time, simply cut the service! Or, I would be happier that BT gave me the £18 + interest back in the end of the year for paying on time, that would be a more sensible approach. It looks like that some manager at BT is doing damage management and PR are sleeping and don't know what is going on in the company. The problem is that BT is a very big ship on troubled waters.

I have just looked at the BBC website and reference the £4.50 per quarter if one doesn't pay by dd, this was posted on it on 10 March 2007.

Trading Standards called the charge affecting around five million customers "outrageous" and "unjustified". BT says other forms of payment cost more to collect and that customers are more likely to forget to pay their bills.

If Trading Standards says "outrageous" and "unjustified" isn't there a possible parallel with bank charges in that maybe BT will be forced to reduce the gap between the dd discount and cheques?  

This has been discussed on Watchdog recently.  They believe it unfair as well, and have therefore provided a downloadable template you can send to BT to complain.

I must warn you though that they have also reported that those that have complained so far have had no joy.

Personally I dont see the problem - what is the difference between discounting for those that do, or charging those that dont?  We both up paying the same amount whichever way they package it.

Dave

I think you must either decide to fall in line with BT or change to a supplier that will allow you to do what you want, when you want!

Dear Moneysupermaket.com,I'm a customer of BT (British Telecom). I receive my bill by email to save paper and I pay the bill by on-line-banking on the day I receive the bill. From this May, BT is charging me £4.50 extra per quarter (that makes £18 per year) for that I don't pay by DD (Direct Debit). I understand that BT would make discounts to encourage costumers to pay by DD, but I totally disagree that I must pay extra for a method of payment that I don't like. I find that this is a violation of my Human Rights (I have the right to pay the may I want with no extra cost). My choice is environmentally friendly (paperless bill via email) and I always pay on the day I received it. Why must I be penalised?I challenge here to everybody affected by this illegal, unreasonable, unfair BT charge to make a complaint to Ofcom and to the European Union. Protesting civically works, just recall the recent victory for consumers on the intervention of the EU against Roaming charges!Thanks,vetex007