No let up from the constant bills here!
Apr 17th 2007, 9:20 am
#47
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Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 535
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
Plus, my bank (National City) does give points* & my other debit card (through paypal) gives 1% cash back.
* points - spend $10,000 and get a free gym bag
Apr 17th 2007, 11:00 am
#49
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
I'm surprised you are having to pay your bills via Paytrust. My bank offers exactly the same service for free.
As for quarterly bills in the UK: people generally have monthly direct debits which cover the bill when it is due, so they don't have to pay a huge bill all at once. Basically it means you never have to worry about paying the bills (just make sure you have enough $$$ in the account, obviously).
As for quarterly bills in the UK: people generally have monthly direct debits which cover the bill when it is due, so they don't have to pay a huge bill all at once. Basically it means you never have to worry about paying the bills (just make sure you have enough $$$ in the account, obviously).
Also - I'm not sure about the bank's service - but Paytrust receives the bills also, not just pays them. So when I'm not in town I don't have to worry about missing a bill - most are delivered electronically to Paytrust, and the others are mailed to them, and scanned, so I only see them online.
And you could set up your bills to be automatically paid by Paytrust in basically the same fashion as the direct debits - just happen automatically ever month (and yes, there is that same picky thing about having money in the account
)I'm not really trying to be a commercial for Paytrust, perhaps some banks offer just as good service. I have just been very happy with it, it's made my life easier. And there's almost never been a problem, and with any minor problem the customer service couldn't be better.
Apr 17th 2007, 11:17 am
#50
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Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles Ca
Posts: 375
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
Oh I don't have to use Paytrust. My bank also has free bill paying - but I didn't like how theirs works at all. I started with American Express bill pay and Paytrust took it over.
Also - I'm not sure about the bank's service - but Paytrust receives the bills also, not just pays them. So when I'm not in town I don't have to worry about missing a bill - most are delivered electronically to Paytrust, and the others are mailed to them, and scanned, so I only see them online.
And you could set up your bills to be automatically paid by Paytrust in basically the same fashion as the direct debits - just happen automatically ever month (and yes, there is that same picky thing about having money in the account )
I'm not really trying to be a commercial for Paytrust, perhaps some banks offer just as good service. I have just been very happy with it, it's made my life easier. And there's almost never been a problem, and with any minor problem the customer service couldn't be better.
Also - I'm not sure about the bank's service - but Paytrust receives the bills also, not just pays them. So when I'm not in town I don't have to worry about missing a bill - most are delivered electronically to Paytrust, and the others are mailed to them, and scanned, so I only see them online.
And you could set up your bills to be automatically paid by Paytrust in basically the same fashion as the direct debits - just happen automatically ever month (and yes, there is that same picky thing about having money in the account
)I'm not really trying to be a commercial for Paytrust, perhaps some banks offer just as good service. I have just been very happy with it, it's made my life easier. And there's almost never been a problem, and with any minor problem the customer service couldn't be better.
Recently they stole $.38 from my account. Of course no big deal but its the principle here. They told me the amount was too small to refund as a cheque. Now you know that if it was the other way around they would have the lawyers after me as quick as a flash.
I told them I would notify my bank of their fraud and their bank and my bank could battle it out. they agreed this might be the best way to get my money back.
I think the real problem is that there is no centralised nationwide inter bank system like BACS or DD. There are so many banks here of all shapes and sizes, no doubt some still use typewriters its hard to connect them all up. In Uk we just have a few really and its comparatively easy to join them all up. because everything is still done with cheques or built on the cheque concept its just not designed for the digital age.
The fact that there is no way to easily and for free transfer money from my account to yours its very annoying and backward. I cant even transfer monye from my account to my wife's non joint account in the same bank without using a cheque.
Cancel cable.. youre having a laugh mate.. its nearly impossible. Those 'b**trds* will suck you dry and make your life a misery. They were supposed to pick up the cable box but never did and then started to try and charge me because of their miserable failure!
Apr 17th 2007, 11:43 am
#51
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
In the UK you have to go through the bank to set up and cancel DD's...that's the reason your daughter was still being charged. Here you don't...you do it all through the vendor. In the UK no-one has access to your account and no-one can get information about your account...not even the police unless they have a warrant to do so.
Last year Chase transferred too much money into my UK account. They said 'we'll call the Nat West and ask for them to return the money'...they couldn't understand that the Nat West couldn't do this without my written permission and the permission had to be an original copy...not a fax etc.
Last year Chase transferred too much money into my UK account. They said 'we'll call the Nat West and ask for them to return the money'...they couldn't understand that the Nat West couldn't do this without my written permission and the permission had to be an original copy...not a fax etc.
Apr 17th 2007, 11:49 am
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
Debit cards, I have no idea why somebody would use them over here. Not seen any yet that gives you any cash back or advantages over a credit card.
I understand that some feel more secure knowing that the bill is payed right away but why piss on some additional earned interest on your money and at least a 1% cash back? For a couple years now we have been paying EVERYTHING possible with a credit card (of course paying it off every month) and have made over $500 every year in interest and cash back (not taxable
).
Another benefit is that most our bills hit the credit card and don't need to be payed one by one. The only thing we still have to send checks for are water and medical bills. You can also dispute the charge in case of a problem or just close it out.
I know that this doesn't work for a lot of people in this country that are not used to pay of anything and love credit card debt but I am sure a lot of folks here would do just fine.....
Even after three years now I sill am amazed at the American credit system. I think I am repeating myself
but I love this system that, if used right, gives you only upsides making other suckers pay the downsides....
I understand that some feel more secure knowing that the bill is payed right away but why piss on some additional earned interest on your money and at least a 1% cash back? For a couple years now we have been paying EVERYTHING possible with a credit card (of course paying it off every month) and have made over $500 every year in interest and cash back (not taxable
).Another benefit is that most our bills hit the credit card and don't need to be payed one by one. The only thing we still have to send checks for are water and medical bills. You can also dispute the charge in case of a problem or just close it out.
I know that this doesn't work for a lot of people in this country that are not used to pay of anything and love credit card debt but I am sure a lot of folks here would do just fine.....
Even after three years now I sill am amazed at the American credit system. I think I am repeating myself
but I love this system that, if used right, gives you only upsides making other suckers pay the downsides....
Apr 17th 2007, 12:20 pm
#53
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,182
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
Oh I don't have to use Paytrust. My bank also has free bill paying - but I didn't like how theirs works at all. I started with American Express bill pay and Paytrust took it over.
Also - I'm not sure about the bank's service - but Paytrust receives the bills also, not just pays them. So when I'm not in town I don't have to worry about missing a bill - most are delivered electronically to Paytrust, and the others are mailed to them, and scanned, so I only see them online.
And you could set up your bills to be automatically paid by Paytrust in basically the same fashion as the direct debits - just happen automatically ever month (and yes, there is that same picky thing about having money in the account )
I'm not really trying to be a commercial for Paytrust, perhaps some banks offer just as good service. I have just been very happy with it, it's made my life easier. And there's almost never been a problem, and with any minor problem the customer service couldn't be better.
Also - I'm not sure about the bank's service - but Paytrust receives the bills also, not just pays them. So when I'm not in town I don't have to worry about missing a bill - most are delivered electronically to Paytrust, and the others are mailed to them, and scanned, so I only see them online.
And you could set up your bills to be automatically paid by Paytrust in basically the same fashion as the direct debits - just happen automatically ever month (and yes, there is that same picky thing about having money in the account
)I'm not really trying to be a commercial for Paytrust, perhaps some banks offer just as good service. I have just been very happy with it, it's made my life easier. And there's almost never been a problem, and with any minor problem the customer service couldn't be better.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:32 pm
#54
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,108
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
She did cancel it with the bank and the travel insurance company. It was both the bank and the company's fault. This is not the first time she's had problems with this bank. A few years ago we had some transactions we needed to do with our bank in the UK (Abbey National) we needed some money from savings to buy our house. In the end, my husband was able to fax over his request with his signature.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:35 pm
#56
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
That's a nice feature. I think I could do something close to that - but probably not on the exact day. Probably a bank could do that better. The only thing - I think some places (credit cards for example) say you need to allow a few days for processing - I wonder if some of them wouldn't charge late fees if they didn't get a few days extra.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:38 pm
#57
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Joined: Feb 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 2,212
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
That's a nice feature. I think I could do something close to that - but probably not on the exact day. Probably a bank could do that better. The only thing - I think some places (credit cards for example) say you need to allow a few days for processing - I wonder if some of them wouldn't charge late fees if they didn't get a few days extra.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:39 pm
#58
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,182
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
That's a nice feature. I think I could do something close to that - but probably not on the exact day. Probably a bank could do that better. The only thing - I think some places (credit cards for example) say you need to allow a few days for processing - I wonder if some of them wouldn't charge late fees if they didn't get a few days extra.
For instance, our mortgage is due on the second of the month. If I paid by check, I would have to send it several days ahead of time, and there'd be a risk that the check might clear before my husband's salary reaches our account.
As it is, the bank pays the mortgage on time, but doesn't take the money from our account until the 2nd of the month.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:41 pm
#59
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
tracy.. missed u today! I have got some good ideas here about putting on a credit card and collecting bonus miles, or points. Hadnt thought about it before as long as u keep on top of the credit card. Isnt there though a % that u have to pay because ur using a credit card?
You do not pay any extra % for using a credit card, not anywhere I can think of anyway. Businesses pay the % to the credit card company.
Good idea - lots of people use their card to get cash back or bonus miles. Make sure the credit card has the right grace periods, etc., so if you pay it off each month you pay no interest.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:44 pm
#60
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: No let up from the constant bills here!
You misunderstand - the bills get paid on time, but the bank does not take the money from our account until the due date.
For instance, our mortgage is due on the second of the month. If I paid by check, I would have to send it several days ahead of time, and there'd be a risk that the check might clear before my husband's salary reaches our account.
As it is, the bank pays the mortgage on time, but doesn't take the money from our account until the 2nd of the month.
For instance, our mortgage is due on the second of the month. If I paid by check, I would have to send it several days ahead of time, and there'd be a risk that the check might clear before my husband's salary reaches our account.
As it is, the bank pays the mortgage on time, but doesn't take the money from our account until the 2nd of the month.
Paying by check, sure, you have to allow lots of extra time.
With a debit kinda thing (banks or paytrust) they actually debit the bank account on the day they give the money to the credit card company, utility etc. Actually in my case, maybe there's one extra day in there, not sure.
But... don't some companies (like rotten credit card companies) need a day or two to "process" the payment? Or am I dreaming lol...
