Direct debit or be penalized for not doing it

[gbp1964]

I opted out of paper bills to save $2 a month. As of this month I find that I’m being billed $2.30 for not direct debiting. It might sound petty buts it’s over $24 a year, and if I hadn’t removed paper bills it’s pushing $50. Where do they get off. Time to look at changing providers I think.

[petergdownload]

Or another way to look at it is processing payments costs money. Its a billion dollar industry and a real cost of doing business. Optus provide a free option.

NB Optus charge either a paper fee or a payment fee, not both. So your costs (for not taking up the free option) are capped at $24 a year.

Also payment methods via credit card etc are much less (about 40c a month). If you prefer using BPay (its not 'free' as the biller pays BPay on your behalf) then the option is available but it will cost you $2.20 a month for the luxury.