Blah wrote:
> Nick wrote:
>> Tommo wrote:
>>> In addition, I would imagine that
>>> the processing/monitoring of the payment is more expensive for non-DD
>>> customers as well
>>>
>>
>> Why? Do you think BT doesn't have a computerised accounts system that
>> is capable of checking a payment has been made on time?
>
> Its slightly more expensive to monitor, in that
>
> 1) a small percentage of cheques/cash paid in have a .ed up account
> number filled in on the paying in slip, or no slip at all.
> 2) a small percentage will be out by some amount, even if only a penny.
>
> Thus £67.99 paid in on the 20th Aug might have umpteen thousand
> customers who it might belong to, and this tieing together takes time,
> effort, and usually human intervention. DD doesn't have this prob.
>
Charge people for mistakes.
Being out by a penny doesn't matter. I would be stunned if BT's computer
system is not designed to automatically handle small differences.
> A DD system is also self reporting -
> We asked 100,000 people for money
> - we received money from 98,000
> - 1,900 were short of cash, try again
> - 100 - failed -
>
BT has a computerised accounting system. It will do this for them. The
Banks handling this processing for fractions of pence. BT is a large
company and would have a similar processing cost.
> Only have to write to 100 - very easy and cheap and brings forward the
> timespan to grab real problem customers
>
> Cash system
> Bill 100,000
> 98,000 pay on time
> 2,000 haven't paid - write to all
> 1,000 pay
> write to next 1,000
> 500 pay
> time drags on
> chase final 100 after much delay.
>
>
As has been pointed out BT already charge late payment at £7.50. So why
charge the 98,000. |