Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
May 9th 2014, 1:51 pm
#31
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Posts: 5,154
Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
Must be a local thing.
We pay all of our bills through one credit card, with automatic drafting and no fees charged. The only one we don't do that way is our MUD district who want to charge $3.95 per billing cycle for autopay enrollment. Given that, especially in Winter, our MUD bill can be as low as $20, that is an outrageous amount which pisses me off so much I do them by online billpay from the bank. Does anyone remember the days when you used to get a discount for enrolling in autopay, presumably because companies realized it simplified their receipts section, and reduced the need for a collections department....?
We pay all of our bills through one credit card, with automatic drafting and no fees charged. The only one we don't do that way is our MUD district who want to charge $3.95 per billing cycle for autopay enrollment. Given that, especially in Winter, our MUD bill can be as low as $20, that is an outrageous amount which pisses me off so much I do them by online billpay from the bank. Does anyone remember the days when you used to get a discount for enrolling in autopay, presumably because companies realized it simplified their receipts section, and reduced the need for a collections department....?
May 9th 2014, 4:31 pm
#32
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Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Where bad things rarely happen in movies
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
Do you? Haven't had regular bills to pay in England for a couple of decades, so wasn't sure. The discount always seemed to make sense to me, rather than penalizing people for wanting to automate it.....
May 10th 2014, 3:23 pm
#33
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 72
Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
The only problem I see in using a UK credit/debit card may be with the utility company being able to enter your billing 'zip' code in to their payment processing system.
I recall I had problems buying gas with my UK card when I first moved here as the pump wanted me to enter my 5 digit, numerical, 'zip'. That was 8 years ago, so it may be different now.
I recall I had problems buying gas with my UK card when I first moved here as the pump wanted me to enter my 5 digit, numerical, 'zip'. That was 8 years ago, so it may be different now.
Although I'm used to it now, the whole idea of paying in advance seems odd to me. I know it obviously prevents people driving off without paying, but I still think it's weird.
May 11th 2014, 2:11 pm
#34
California Dreamin
Joined: Feb 2014
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 123
Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
I second the Lloyds International bank card, we haven't moved over yet either, but that's what my husband has done and he's got an AMEX cc too now.
May 11th 2014, 4:20 pm
#35
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
I've had this a couple of times in the US too, when it's happened to me on various visits I've had to go inside to authorise a set amount filling up. A bit of a pain but being used to going in to pay in the UK, it's never really bothered me.
Although I'm used to it now, the whole idea of paying in advance seems odd to me. I know it obviously prevents people driving off without paying, but I still think it's weird.
Although I'm used to it now, the whole idea of paying in advance seems odd to me. I know it obviously prevents people driving off without paying, but I still think it's weird.
When I encountered this silly policy in the States I would just go in and ensure the pump was enabled without payment to allow me to fill up then come and pay. Another ridiculous policy is having to fill up at the pump the same side as your fuel cap.
May 11th 2014, 4:29 pm
#36
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
May 11th 2014, 8:22 pm
#37
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
.... That said, I think that few people in the UK realise that the filler hose is long enough to reach across the car. Mrs P was amazed, verging on shocked the first time I did that after she arrived in the UK.
May 11th 2014, 9:04 pm
#38
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
Yeah, that used to drive me nuts too, but it's been so long that I've got over it now.
.... That said, I think that few people in the UK realise that the filler hose is long enough to reach across the car. Mrs P was amazed, verging on shocked the first time I did that after she arrived in the UK.
.... That said, I think that few people in the UK realise that the filler hose is long enough to reach across the car. Mrs P was amazed, verging on shocked the first time I did that after she arrived in the UK.
That said, given how empty gas stations are here compared to England it never really becomes an issue.
May 11th 2014, 9:41 pm
#39
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Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
I have never encountered anything like that in California and I do, from time to time (when it is convenient to do so) fill up my vehicle from a pump on the opposite side to the fuel cap.
Anyway, it isn't nearly as ridiculous as the "you can't pump your own gas" policy in Oregon and New Jersey ...
May 11th 2014, 9:53 pm
#40
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
From New England to Orlando, and as far west as Knoxville, TN, and almost to Birmingham, AL, I have never noticed a hose long enough, or even a pull-out retractable one like some in the UK.
May 11th 2014, 9:54 pm
#41
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
Anyway, it isn't nearly as ridiculous as the "you can't pump your own gas" policy in Oregon and New Jersey ...
May 11th 2014, 10:39 pm
#43
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Location: Dixie, ex UK
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
May 12th 2014, 10:46 pm
#45
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Re: Utilities & Banking set up before moving?
I was at one the other day that had a big sign saying "use both sides - extra long hoses". It was long enough to stretch over the truck, although it was quite awkward getting it there! In the wife's heap, its easy to use either side.