Who do you buy your services from and how do
you pay for them?
We buy our gas, electricity, phones and other services from a wide range of
companies and pay for them in a number of different ways. Who you buy
from and how you pay them can affect how much you are paying. Whilst this
may be obvious, it may not seem quite so straightforward to find out what is
the best deal for you.
Are you getting the best deal available on electricity or gas prices? Are you
on the tariff that best suits your needs? Are you paying over the odds every
time you pay your bill because you are paying by cheque rather than direct
debit?
Where do you go to find out? There are a number of places to go to get more
information. The best advice is impartial.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
A good starting point is the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Their website gives
really good information on working out when to switch service provider and
how to go about doing it. You need to work out how much you currently pay,
whether there’s a penalty if you’re in a fixed term contract; what tariff suits
you; they help you compare tariffs and give advice on who to contact and
what happens when you switch.
If you have online access then visit their website on www.adviceguide.org.uk
and look at “Your Daily Life” section which covers a range of consumer
issues around energy and communications (mobile and landline phones).
Alternatively, contact your local citizen’s advice bureau (CAB). To find out
where your nearest bureau is contact:
England and Wales
www.adviceguide.org.uk
t: England: 08444 111 444, Wales: 08444 77 2020
Scotland
www.cas.org.uk
t: 0131 550 1000
org.uk
Northern Ireland
www.citizensadvice.co.uk
t: 028 9023 6522
Comparison websites
Using comparison websites can be a quick and easy way to find out what
other companies charge. Some of these websites have a commercial
agreement with the companies that they list and are paid a commission by
the companies that you switch to. Not all service providers choose to work
with these websites so you may not be shown details of all providers offering
the services that you are looking for.
If you use a comparison website, it's best to choose one which has been
approved under the Consumer Focus Confidence Code. This is a voluntary
code of practice for online price comparison websites. It applies to websites
where you can be sure of comparing the widest range of suppliers on a
likefor-like basis.
If you use an approved website, you will be able to compare your current
supplier’s tariff and energy usage with the rates offered by the other main
suppliers. You can also use their free switching service, which may offer
further discounts. For a full list of the websites which are approved under the
Confidence Code, go to: www.consumerfocus.org.uk or look out for the
Confidence Code logo.
Consumer Direct
t: 0845 404 0506 www.direct.gov.uk/consumer
A government-funded, impartial organisation who can:
 provide pre-shopping advice before you buy goods or services
 explain your consumer rights
 advise you if you have a problem or disagreement with a trader
 explain consumer-related issues such as warranties, buying on credit,
internet shopping, refunds etc
 provide advice on avoiding trading scams and rip-offs refer your case to
your local authority Trading Standards Services or similar agency.
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org.uk
Phones for disabled people
Someone who is assessed under the National Health Service and
Community Care Act 1990 as having a particular need may get help with
telephone charges. Some local authorities will pay for installation, others will
pay for the rental costs.
If you are disabled and want more information about help with telephone
charges, consult an experienced adviser, for example, a Citizens Advice
Bureau or a welfare rights worker.
Cheaper ways of paying bills
There are a number of ways of paying bills some of which can save you
money.
Bills from energy or phone companies tend to be sent quarterly but could, if
you wanted, be paid more frequently, either monthly or weekly.
Paying your bills monthly by direct debit for example could mean that you are
charged less.
You would need to consider how you budget, whether you are able to make
payments online, prefer to use cash or cheques, prefer to do so through your
bank account or via a shop or Post Office.
For some utilities you will also have the choice of using a prepayment meter
or payment card. However, these aren’t necessarily the cheapest way to pay
for the services.
It is worth asking your service provider if they offer discounts for certain
payment methods.
If you have a bank account but don’t currently use direct debits it may be
worth discussing this service with your bank, they can help you set them up
– it may save you money!
This factsheet is one of a series:
 Bank and building society accounts and banking
 Debt
 Who do you buy your services from and how do you pay for them?
 Where to get independent financial advice
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 Know your rights
 Financial products
 Current sources of financial information.
RNIB has produced a booklet “Managing your money” which gives general
information about financial matters and details of where to find further advice.
For copies of the booklet or factsheets please contact the RNIB Helpline on
0303 123 9999.
© RNIB July 2012
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