Agressive Calling for Bill Payment

robd

What's the story with the seriously aggressive tactics with regard to phone calls to mobile numbers demanding bill payment.

In general I pay every second bill, particularly now that ESB are too lazy/tight to read meter bi-monthly and now only read meter every 4 months. I see ZERO problem with this as I've done it for the last 15 years no problem. Thus it's a precedent. Bills aren't particuarly high either, average 80-90 per month.

4 calls this morning and 1 yesterday (which was answered) demanding payment of 2 unpaid bills. Hadn't received 2nd bill yet. Was there when I got home. Bill dated 08/05/2012. Yesterday was 09/05/2012. Paid it last night though AIB's online banking. Yet 4 calls this morning.

Last I checked you have a minimum of 7 days to pay a bill. At the very least days need to be given between calls for arrival of bill and clearing of bank payment.

Electric Ireland - Your behavior is outrageous !!! If this continues I will be making complaints to the relevant authorities re harassment.

cookie1977

Can I ask why dont you pay the bills when Electric Ireland bill you and why dont you submit your own meter readings?

robd

cookie1977 wrote: »

Can I ask why dont you pay the bills when Electric Ireland bill you and why dont you submit your own meter readings?

1. Free credit (on every 2nd bill)
2. Why would I bother to do that? I pay for the service.

EI: Una

Hi Robd,

The payment terms for each individual bill are to have the balance cleared in full, two weeks after the date of issue of the bill.
Our colleagues ESB Networks endeavour to read the meter (subject to accessibility) a maximum of four times per year; the remaining two bills are always based on estimates, which are made up for in subsequent bills. In order to eliminate estimates, a customer reading can be submitted - two ways of doing so are online or via our smartphone meter-reading app.

A payment made via online banking can take a number of days to come through, so it is advisable to make the payment in sufficient time in advance of the bill due date. The bill is for the previous two months' usage and another way of managing it (if not paying direct debit) would be to make one-off payments onto the account when possible throughout the two months, which will reduce, or even clear, the bill total by the time billing period arrives.

The calls/texts are reminders to customers whose bill has not been cleared by the due date, and as a way to help prevent arrears accruing.

Regards,
Una

robd

Electric Ireland: Una wrote: »

Hi Robd,

The payment terms for each individual bill are to have the balance cleared in full, two weeks after the date of issue of the bill.
Our colleagues ESB Networks endeavour to read the meter (subject to accessibility) a maximum of four times per year; the remaining two bills are always based on estimates, which are made up for in subsequent bills. In order to eliminate estimates, a customer reading can be submitted - two ways of doing so are online or via our smartphone meter-reading app.

A payment made via online banking can take a number of days to come through, so it is advisable to make the payment in sufficient time in advance of the bill due date. The bill is for the previous two months' usage and another way of managing it (if not paying direct debit) would be to make one-off payments onto the account when possible throughout the two months, which will reduce, or even clear, the bill total by the time billing period arrives.

The calls/texts are reminders to customers whose bill has not been cleared by the due date, and as a way to help prevent arrears accruing.

Regards,
Una

You are ringing 1 day after bill was issued and then 2 days after bill was issued. This has nothing to do with the due date. Please re-read my original post.

It's not a reminder. It's aggressive harassment which I am demanding that you stop doing. I no longer wish to receive these texts and phone calls. How can I stop it?

And I will not be changing how I pay as this is what I have always done which was not a problem until you rebranded from ESB to Electric Ireland. If I wished to do this I would sign up to your new cheaper direct debit tariffs or switch to Airtricity or Bord Gais. I did not, specifically as I do not wish to pay promptly. Hence I pay the higher rate.

EI: Una

robd wrote: »

You are ringing 1 day after bill was issued and then 2 days after bill was issued. This has nothing to do with the due date. Please re-read my original post.

Hi again Robd

My understanding was that you were being called with regard to two bills?

It's not a reminder. It's aggressive harassment which I am demanding that you stop doing. I no longer wish to receive these texts and phone calls. How can I stop it?

There is no way to stop such reminders if there is a balance overdue, so we would advise customers to clear the balance or contact us to set up an instalment plan - these would be the only ways to discontinue the reminders.

And I will not be changing how I pay as this is what I have always done which was not a problem until you rebranded from ESB to Electric Ireland.

The terms of payment have always been to have each bill cleared two weeks after the date of issue - unless the customer overpays and puts themselves into credit resulting in a balance being cleared before a bill is issued.

If you like, I can have a look at your account. I would just need the Electric Ireland account number, the name on the account/confirmation that you are the named account-holder, and the address/telephone number/date of birth on the account.

Regards,
Una

cookie1977

robd wrote: »

1. Free credit (on every 2nd bill)
2. Why would I bother to do that? I pay for the service.

But surely paying promptly would stop the calls and calling in your own reading would keep your bills accurate. No?

robd

cookie1977 wrote: »

But surely paying promptly would stop the calls and calling in your own reading would keep your bills accurate. No?

If I wanted to pay promptly I could choose another service provider, sign up to direct debit and get cheaper rates. Instead I choose to pay every 2nd bill (and hence higher rate) as I've done for 15 years.

robd

Electric Ireland: Una wrote: »

Hi again Robd

My understanding was that you were being called with regard to two bills?

I was called regarding 2 bills when I couldn't possible have received the 2nd bill. If you issue bill on 08/05 (I double checked date) how could I possible have received it on the morning of 09/05 when you called demanding payment of 2 unpaid bills? You then called 4 times on 10/05. How could the money (paid through online banking on evening of 09/05, the very same day I received bill) have reached your system by them. I can understand the calls from day 14 of bill 2 but not on day 2 and 3 of bill 2. It's ridiculous harassment. Again this is nothing to do with due date.

I was also called regard 1st bill some weeks ago.

Also, stop calling them gentle reminders. Gentle they are not.

This is a new bully boy tactic on the part of Electric Ireland.

EI: Una

Hi again Robd,

We are sorry to read you feel harassed.

Do you want me to look at your account via private message?

Regards,
Una

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

If you admit to only paying every second bill, then after day 14 of Bill No 1 you are overdue. Payment terms are 14 days on an non-overdue bill. You already have used electricity up to 2 months prior to this bill.
They are dead right to follow up for overdue accounts. You are an habitual bad payer. Your credit rating will be very poor as a result. Any company would treat you as a potential bad debtor.

The rest of us eventually pay for your "free credit". :rolleyes:

As for paying for meter readings: you are not entitled to 6 meter reading per year.

token101

robd wrote: »

In general I pay every second bill, particularly now that ESB are too lazy/tight to read meter bi-monthly and now only read meter every 4 months. I see ZERO problem with this as I've done it for the last 15 years no problem. Thus it's a precedent. Bills aren't particuarly high either, average 80-90 per month..

You see zero problem with being overdue for 6 weeks on a bill and a company chasing you for money you owe? So because you're a habitually bad payer, and ESB hasn't pressed this until now, you're entitled to feel aggrieved because you've decided that your bad payment history is now a 'precedent'; set only for yourself of course :pac: And ESB are lazy because you can't be bothered to read the meter in your house? :pac: Unbelievable!

Yesterday I walked into the supermarket, took some shopping and strolled out the door. Security guard stopped me and asked where I was off to without paying. Told him I'd pay next time. He said no. Some cheek eh :pac:

Coolchic

I too have been on the receiving end of these what I would call 'nasty' phonecalls 2 or 3 times now. 70% of the time,my electricity bills are paid in full by their due date,however,there are months when I just don't have the funds to pay the full amount on time. I've then paid the arrears with the next bill,and there's never been a problem with this in the past. Until about 2 months ago,that is,when some aggressive guy from Electric Ireland demanded to know if I was the main account holder and if this was the best number to reach me. Then this guy proceeded to put pressure on me to pay the €70 balance immediately. Luckily this wasn't a problem at the time,as I'd intended to pay the balance over the internet anyway later on that day. When I told this guy that I was planning to pay later on,he urged me strongly to pay there and then,over the phone,whilst talking to him. The implication was that I was probably lying,which I thought was seriously unprofessional .
The next phonecall I got was tonight,when an extremely aggressive lady again demanded I pay the €80 balance on my account.I told her I didn't have the funds right now,but I would definitely pay €50 within 2 days,and the balance next week-which is all true. But this lady just pretended she didn't hear me and repeated the request that I pay the arrears immediately,and would I be paying by laser,visa,and so on. I was flabbergasted! I thought it so,so rude,unbelievably so,and,as I said before,seriously unprofessional. As steam was about to float out of my ears,I hung up. I just didn't want to talk to someone who 1.Is extremely ignorant 2. Doesn't listen (a major requirement of customer relations,I would have thought!) 3. Doesn't understand when a customer simply doesn't have the money to pay at that time,but is trying their best nevertheless. 4. Has an empathy bypass.
My question is,who are these people that Electric Ireland employ to harrass their customers? Have they been trained sufficiently to talk to people in the correct way,by which I mean,professional...that is,empathetic,sympathetic and customer friendly? The answer is,of course they haven't!
Electric Ireland increased their profits by 38% in 2011,which in real terms means they made €469 million profit last year. You would think they could afford better quality harrassment techniques,wouldn't you?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

A. I would refer you to all the valid reasons for pursuing bad payers, like yourself, that have been put already on this thread.

B. ESB group made those profits, not Electric Ireland; they are really struggling to keep afloat. (You might want to actually read the 2011 Annual Report!)

dev100

Raelynn Helpful Radium wrote: »

A. I would refer you to all the valid reasons for pursuing bad payers, like yourself, that have been put already on this thread.

B. ESB group made those profits, not Electric Ireland; they are really struggling to keep afloat. (You might want to actually read the 2011 Annual Report!)

Ever asked an esb employee how much he or she gets paid??? I don't condone Op s behaviour of being slow to pay . It's not right but electricity is a human basic necessity like water. If people can't pay in full what do you want them to do. People should be treated with sympathy!!!

bassey

So when you can't afford all your groceries for the week you just saunter out with the lot and tell the shop you need sympathy? If you can't afford your bill cut down on your electricity usage, it's fairly simple.

EI: Una

Coolchic wrote: »

I too have been on the receiving end of these what I would call 'nasty' phonecalls 2 or 3 times now. 70% of the time,my electricity bills are paid in full by their due date,however,there are months when I just don't have the funds to pay the full amount on time. I've then paid the arrears with the next bill,and there's never been a problem with this in the past. Until about 2 months ago,that is,when some aggressive guy from Electric Ireland demanded to know if I was the main account holder and if this was the best number to reach me. Then this guy proceeded to put pressure on me to pay the €70 balance immediately. Luckily this wasn't a problem at the time,as I'd intended to pay the balance over the internet anyway later on that day. When I told this guy that I was planning to pay later on,he urged me strongly to pay there and then,over the phone,whilst talking to him. The implication was that I was probably lying,which I thought was seriously unprofessional .
The next phonecall I got was tonight,when an extremely aggressive lady again demanded I pay the €80 balance on my account.I told her I didn't have the funds right now,but I would definitely pay €50 within 2 days,and the balance next week-which is all true. But this lady just pretended she didn't hear me and repeated the request that I pay the arrears immediately,and would I be paying by laser,visa,and so on. I was flabbergasted! I thought it so,so rude,unbelievably so,and,as I said before,seriously unprofessional. As steam was about to float out of my ears,I hung up. I just didn't want to talk to someone who 1.Is extremely ignorant 2. Doesn't listen (a major requirement of customer relations,I would have thought!) 3. Doesn't understand when a customer simply doesn't have the money to pay at that time,but is trying their best nevertheless. 4. Has an empathy bypass.

Hi Coolchic,

The terms of payment are to have the bill cleared by its due date (two weeks from the date of issue) - if this is not done, the system alerts that there are arrears, and the relevant customers are reminded.
When it is not always possible for a customer to pay the bill in full during the two-week period following its issuing, we would recommend contacting us, and we can see how we could accommodate this.

Also, if a customer does not pay by direct debit, an option would be to put small payments whenever possible on the account at any time during the two-month period between bills, ensuring it is mostly, or even fully, cleared by the time the bill arrives.

We are sorry to read you are unhappy with your experience on the telephone. If you like, send me on your account details by private message and I will investigate further for you. The Electric Ireland account number, your full name and the address/telephone number/date of birth on the account are what I would require. We can only discuss account particulars with the named account-holder.

All the best,
Una

drunkmonkey

@Una, at what point do you cut off the Electricity? Does it cost to get re-connected?

EI: Una

Hi Drunkmonkey

There is no set answer to this - it varies from case to case. There are four reminder letters in addition to calls. There is a cost to reconnect - maximum of €79.45. If the property is disconnected longer than six months, a wiring cert following an assessment by a RECI electrician is required in addition to the reconnection fee. If the property is disconnected for over two years, a new connection would need to be set up with our colleagues ESB Networks.

Regards,
Una

Heroditas

bassey wrote: »

So when you can't afford all your groceries for the week you just saunter out with the lot and tell the shop you need sympathy? If you can't afford your bill cut down on your electricity usage, it's fairly simple.

Careful, you'll have the hand-wringers and do-gooders after you for talking sense.

IrritatedNow

Before ElectricIreland introduced the Low Usage charge, I would have agreed with Heroditas - if you can't afford to pay for running an appliance cut down on the usage of it, but unfortunately it's not that simple any more. I use very little electricity partly because I'm a fan of energy efficient appliances (A-rated, low energy light bulbs, low energy TV etc) and partly because I'm watching my costs because my income is low. However, ElectricIreland by introducing a cut-off point of 2 units or less usage per day on average over the billing period are now charging me EUR25 +VAT per bill. Effectively I'm being penalised for using too little - and yes, before you ask, I do live all the time in my low usage home.

Tails142

The op has to be a windup, paying every second bill and then whining when electric ireland ring to see why he hasn't paid for a bill issued two months ago for energy usage starting four months ago, ridiculous complaint if it isn't a windup

They should charge interest on late payments!

cookie1977

IrritatedNow wrote: »

Before ElectricIreland introduced the Low Usage charge, I would have agreed with Heroditas - if you can't afford to pay for running an appliance cut down on the usage of it, but unfortunately it's not that simple any more. I use very little electricity partly because I'm a fan of energy efficient appliances (A-rated, low energy light bulbs, low energy TV etc) and partly because I'm watching my costs because my income is low. However, ElectricIreland by introducing a cut-off point of 2 units or less usage per day on average over the billing period are now charging me EUR25 +VAT per bill. Effectively I'm being penalised for using too little - and yes, before you ask, I do live all the time in my low usage home.

But it's my understanding that not all providers are charging this. Would it not be worth switching?

Madam_X

Tails142 wrote: »

The op has to be a windup, paying every second bill and then whining when electric ireland ring to see why he hasn't paid for a bill issued two months ago for energy usage starting four months ago, ridiculous complaint if it isn't a windup

They should charge interest on late payments!

And there is absolutely nothing to stop people (who aren't paying direct debit) pre-paying bits and pieces. You don't need a pre-pay meter, you can just make payments in the post office. They have an entire two months and two weeks. Why wait until the bill?

Bruthal

bassey wrote: »

So when you can't afford all your groceries for the week you just saunter out with the lot and tell the shop you need sympathy? If you can't afford your bill cut down on your electricity usage, it's fairly simple.

Yes, its always simple when coming from people who don`t have the problem, particularly when its from vested interest ones.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

robbie7730 wrote: »

...particularly when its from vested interest ones.

Explain please!

Bruthal

Raelynn Helpful Radium wrote: »

Explain please!

The poster is advising a person to cut down on electricity usage, no doubt a helpful piece of advice for all people in difficulty. And he is linked to the company in question most likely.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

robbie7730 wrote: »

The poster is advising a person to cut down on electricity usage, no doubt a helpful piece of advice for all people in difficulty. And he is linked to the company in question most likely.

What possible basis do you have for that assertion? I fully agree with his statement - do I too have a link to Electric Ireland? (I will admit to be a customer who pays his bills to them on the due date every time)

Bruthal

Raelynn Helpful Radium wrote: »

What possible basis do you have for that assertion? I fully agree with his statement -

Of course you do.

do I too have a link to Electric Ireland?

I dont know, do you? Here is one if you don`t.

(I will admit to be a customer who pays his bills to them on the due date every time)

Do you do that because you can, or out of loyality but cut back on feeding the kids? The type of choice many have to make now, but of course, you also will say its fairly simple for them, wont you...

Madam_X

But if someone is having difficulty paying, they need to contact the company to come to an arrangement - leaving the bill go overdue will just cause the reminder calls to materialise.

deisemum

Raelynn Helpful Radium wrote: »

A. I would refer you to all the valid reasons for pursuing bad payers, like yourself, that have been put already on this thread.

B. ESB group made those profits, not Electric Ireland; they are really struggling to keep afloat. (You might want to actually read the 2011 Annual Report!)

Your point B is probably what's behind the sharp practice that Electric Ireland are now using to get extra money out of people who pay their bills on time. I'm absolutely disgusted at how I was treated by 2 members of their staff today.

My last electricity bill was issued on May 22nd and I got it a few days later and paid it on May 30th at 9.45am at my local post office. My bill clearly states about paying within 14 days and that the direct debit was due for collection on June 5th 6 days after I paid it.

Electric Ireland received my payment on May 31st yet today I got a letter dated 7th June saying I had an unpaid direct debit due to insufficient funds and that they'll re-present it later this month and that an administration fee will be applied to my next bill.

After explaining that the bill had been paid prompty to the member of staff that I got through to she said she could not take the administration fee off the bill and that I'll have to pay it on my next bill. I was then put through to a supervisor and she said the same thing that I've to pay the fee. As far as she was concerned Electric Ireland tried to take the direct debit payment from my account on May 31st so I'm liable even though the bill says June 5th.

One things for sure I doubt very much that I'm the only customer that this has happened to and I'm not letting it drop. I've already made initial contact with a journalist and will go ahead to make sure awareness of this sort of sharp practice is highlighted. I'm also going to contact the Commission for Energy Regulation in the morning.

Electric Ireland: David

Hi deisemum,

I'm very sorry to hear of your experience on the phone. If you would please send your account details to us via private message I will have this looked into immediately.

In general, the due date for direct debit payments is 14 days after the invoice's date of issue. However, the payment is presented for collection (i.e. the process is set in motion) on the 11th day (provided weekends/bank holidays don't intervene, in which it would have to be presented earlier), so if any payments made manually, in the post office for example, have not registered on system by the 11th day, the original amount as stated on the bill will go for collection.

If you make a payment yourself, it can take 3 to 4 working days for it to register on our system. May 30th was a Wednesday, so the payment may only have reached us by Friday, or the following Monday (which if I recall correctly was a bank holiday). June 5th was the Tuesday, so there wouldn't have been sufficient time for the payment to have registered. The direct debit payment would have been presented for collection in this case probably on the Friday (though I would need to check this to be sure).

If you make any manual payments in future, I would recommend you notify us by phone, so that we may be able to defer the direct debit payment date. That way, there would be enough time for the system to have accepted your payment and for the balance to have been adjusted.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

David.

deisemum

I paid the bill on day 8 Wednesday 30th May and the 2 members of staff both confirmed that Electric Ireland got the money from the Post Office on Thursday 31st.

I'll forward my details to you and appreciate your help.

intelcore

Ive being reading this page and have had the same truble with these calls 3 in 8 days which if im not mistaking is in breach of something called the debt collection act I wonder exactly how long electric ireland will get away with these bullying tactics

Madam_X

intelcore wrote: »

Ive being reading this page and have had the same truble with these calls 3 in 8 days which if im not mistaking is in breach of something called the debt collection act I wonder exactly how long electric ireland will get away with these bullying tactics

Why don't you call them and explain you're having difficulty paying your bills and see if they'll set up a payment arrangement for you?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

intelcore wrote: »

Ive being reading this page and have had the same truble with these calls 3 in 8 days which if im not mistaking is in breach of something called the debt collection act I wonder exactly how long electric ireland will get away with these bullying tactics

They may not under current legislation "Call you repeatedly at work or during unsociable hours"

Not the sane as calling you at home 3 times in 8 days if you owe money and made no arrangements to pay during that 8 days!

melekalikimaka

its funny how people receive a service, under agreement to be paid after on set dates, and proceed to get their knickers in a twist because they fail to meet their obligations.

Bruthal

melekalikimaka wrote: »

its funny how people receive a service, under agreement to be paid after on set dates, and proceed to get their knickers in a twist because they fail to meet their obligations.

O its funny alright, maybe that`s why many people are not paying on time, simply for amusement, or to have a laugh.

Madam_X

Yes, there are people genuinely having difficulty paying (as opposed to those who have a sense of entitlement and pay whenever it suits them because they're special and different to everyone else) but if amounts are overdue, they're overdue, hence the reminders. The company isn't psychic (so therefore unaware of personal circumstances) or singling people out to be mean to - phoning the company could help address this. Paying bits when you can but still leaving arrears... well it's good to make such attempts but the system is still going to flag that there is an amount overdue.

dev100 wrote: »

Ever asked an esb employee how much he or she gets paid???

Oh yeah they're all... ALL... on €70k+. All of them - even the cleaning lady!

Just because very senior managers and technical folk can be paid high salaries doesn't mean everyone is, e.g. people in admin, on the phones etc.

electricity is a human basic necessity like water.

It isn't. You can actually live without electricity (I know it's not easy but it isn't needed for survival) unlike water and food... yet people don't complain about paying in full for food immediately.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Of course people can have problems paying bills but that is no excise for getting uppity when a company tries to collect. An arrangement can always be made but until that is put in place, or requested, nobody can blame them for calling for payment as often as needed.

Electric Ireland: David

intelcore wrote: »

Ive being reading this page and have had the same truble with these calls 3 in 8 days

Hi intelcore,

If you are having trouble paying your bill, it's best to contact us directly on 1850 372 372 so that we can arrange a suitable payment schedule. If adhered to, there would be no need for any reminder calls.

We also have a Reduce Your Costs section on our website, designed to help you lower your bill.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

David.

intelcore

all my bills get paid ..its the manner in which these so called reminder calls are made ie calling from blocked numbers no matter what u say they insist on payment there and then over the phone ..and all for a single bill of 60euro electric ireland should adapt like the rest of the counrty has to ...

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

intelcore wrote: »

electric ireland should adapt like the rest of the counrty has to ...

Not many products can be bought by a domestic customer with 2 months credit.

In case you haven't noticed, the rest of the country is tightening up on credit and actively seeking prompt payment.

intelcore

Raelynn Helpful Radium wrote: »

intelcore wrote: »

electric ireland should adapt like the rest of the counrty has to ...

Not many products can be bought by a domestic customer with 2 months credit.

In case you haven't noticed, the rest of the country is tightening up on credit and actively seeking prompt payment.

The point is many people including my self are being asked to wait until customers pay then we get payed therefore on a monthly budget it's roof over our heads then food on the table then electric in that order regardless of wheather electric Ireland think there hard done by ..this is a circle for everybody not just business and harrassing people and calling it reminders will not solve things

Bruthal

intelcore wrote: »

The point is many people including my self are being asked to wait until customers pay then we get payed therefore on a monthly budget it's roof over our heads then food on the table then electric in that order regardless of wheather electric Ireland think there hard done by ..this is a circle for everybody not just business and harrassing people and calling it reminders will not solve things

Not everyone though. Some poster(s) admitted they pay on time every time, but then compare electricity to food for the others that are not so fortunate to be able to do so.

Not unusual on boards though.

ScouseMouse

robd wrote: »

I was called regarding 2 bills when I couldn't possible have received the 2nd bill. If you issue bill on 08/05 (I double checked date) how could I possible have received it on the morning of 09/05 when you called demanding payment of 2 unpaid bills? You then called 4 times on 10/05. How could the money (paid through online banking on evening of 09/05, the very same day I received bill) have reached your system by them. I can understand the calls from day 14 of bill 2 but not on day 2 and 3 of bill 2. It's ridiculous harassment. Again this is nothing to do with due date.

I was also called regard 1st bill some weeks ago.

Also, stop calling them gentle reminders. Gentle they are not.

This is a new bully boy tactic on the part of Electric Ireland.

While I disagree with the liberties that the OP is taking, How can you possibly condone ringing someone FOUR times in one day (unless the calls were going unanswered)

Madam_X

robbie7730 wrote: »

intelcore wrote: »

The point is many people including my self are being asked to wait until customers pay then we get payed therefore on a monthly budget it's roof over our heads then food on the table then electric in that order regardless of wheather electric Ireland think there hard done by ..this is a circle for everybody not just business and harrassing people and calling it reminders will not solve things

Not everyone though. Some poster(s) admitted they pay on time every time, but then compare electricity to food for the others that are not so fortunate to be able to do so.

Not unusual on boards though.

Well that comparison stemmed from a poster saying electricity is a basic human need.
To avoid the calls, ring them and tell them when you can pay, because until then, they won't know.

Electric Ireland: David

superscouse wrote: »

While I disagree with the liberties that the OP is taking, How can you possibly condone ringing someone FOUR times in one day (unless the calls were going unanswered)

Hi supercouse,

On this occasion, it has not been specified whether these were answered/missed calls, but we are more than happy to investigate any case in which a customer feels unduly hassled, or contacted excessively.

intelcore wrote:

The point is many people including my self are being asked to wait until customers pay then we get payed therefore on a monthly budget it's roof over our heads then food on the table then electric in that order

We do have a monthly direct debit option (called the Equalizer) whereby a set amount is debited each month on a day of your choosing. If this sounds like something that might help, please feel free to PM me your account details and I can see about setting it up.

Thanks,

David.

Bruthal

Onixx wrote: »

Well that comparison stemmed from a poster saying electricity is a basic human need.

It seemed more like it was comparing delaying payment for an electricity bill, with walking out of a shop with food without paying. Doing that is stealing. So the poster was hinting it is the same as a person who used electricity, then struggles to pay. These comparisons are typical of boards like I said earlier.

The OP`s scenario is not the general idea I am posting about, which sounds like delaying payments they actually can make. There are a Lot out there with arrears and/or are struggling to pay. And they would find it a struggle to manage without electricity, even if you and thankful posters say a cave man can survive without it.

To avoid the calls, ring them and tell them when you can pay, because until then, they won't know.

Apparently they call with hidden numbers, and probably ask for verifying personal details? How do they verify they are who they say they are when dialing with a hidden number?

If you can't afford your bill cut down on your electricity usage, it's fairly simple.

This thread has the verified representitives in it, and some unverified ones by the look of some of the posts:pac:

Madam_X

Perhaps - or perhaps they just work in customer service in any company and are able to see the company's perspective too. Why wait until the bill? It's a bit needy tbh. Why not just pop in whatever bits and pieces you can during the 10-week (or more) duration between when a billing period starts and when the bill has to be paid? I agree it is a bit much to wait until the bill, hence I can partially understand the supermarket analogy. If there is still an amount outstanding by the due date though, then contact the company to avoid the calls that are the result of not meeting the agreed payment terms.

That last comment wasn't made by me - I wouldn't agree it's always easy to cut down on usage (although I'd urge trying as hard as possible - to anyone, not just those in financial difficulty).
Re calling back: I meant call Electric Ireland customer service.

Bruthal

Onixx wrote: »

Perhaps - or perhaps they just work in customer service in any company and are able to see the company's perspective too.

That`s just it, when someone says its simple to solve your difficulties, cut down on usage, they see only a company perspective, not people in difficulty`s perspective.

That last comment wasn't made by me - I wouldn't agree it's always easy to cut down on usage (although I'd urge trying as hard as possible - to anyone, not just those in financial difficulty).
Re calling back: I meant call Electric Ireland customer service.

I knew what you meant about calling them, for people in difficulty. I would recommend that myself. But when a hidden number from a company calls someone in a payment reminder call and asks for personal details to verify, how do they verify who they are to the person they are calling?

It would not seem beyond possibility for a bogus caller to get personal details that way. I`m surprised anyone answers hidden number calls, if indeed they are hidden.