READING the Jon Trickett item headlined 'Tough goals set on climate change', Express November 7, and noting the part on pre-payment meters, it brought to mind two instances experienced over the past couple of years or so.
Firstly, our electricity is pre-paid and has been for a few years. Last year we were informed by the supplier that the meters were to be changed.
The new meter was installed, followed by a bill for £50.
When I rang to complain the reply was that
we had been notified of a charge.
Consequently, the £50 was taken from the meter over a five-month period.
My objection is, the new meter was installed to the advantage of the power company as it can now be adjusted from a central source, thus saving a visit from an engineer if the prices increase.
I paid £50 for the supplier to save money.
Secondly, British Telecom take payment for phone rental in advance, some £45 or so per quarter.
Yet, because I won't pay by direct debit, there is a charge of £4.50 to process the cheque.
May I add the payments have always been made on time.
The loyalty factor – 44 years – and prompt payments no longer appears significant in today's greedy, extortionate services industries, even with their published billions profits.
Once again the honest, hard-working people are the victims of greed.
James Anthony Bulmer,
Whitehall Court,
Peel Street, Horbury
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