IDNetters Forums

Technical News & Discussion => IDNet Help => Topic started by: bob_s on Feb 05, 2008, 07:45:51

Title: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: bob_s on Feb 05, 2008, 07:45:51
Just received an email from pipex, which has thanked me for signing a contract for pipex as service provider.

This is obviously not the case.

I have let them know by email and my direct debit is still canceled.

Just to all the other ex pipexers out there you should be aware.  I dont think its being done out as a dirty tactic rather done because they are incompetent, but the result if I was not aware would be the same.

Anybody else who left in the last month should be aware.

Could somebody also confirm they wont go and move my connection back to their equipment??
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Simon on Feb 05, 2008, 08:13:48
I think they would have to have received a MAC code from your existing provider in order to do that, Bob.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: bob_s on Feb 05, 2008, 08:15:06
A quick call to idnet confirmed I am an idnet customer  ;D  And as such without a mac code I cant be moved back ;D ;D ;D

So with the direct debit canceled I just await a reply from my email to pipex to confirm its just an admin error.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Lance on Feb 05, 2008, 08:18:40
Quote from: bob_s on Feb 05, 2008, 08:15:06
So with the direct debit canceled I just await a reply from my email to pipex to confirm its just an admin error.


I wonder how long that will take them!
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2008, 09:46:11
Should be sorted by Christmas... 2010. ;)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Malc on Feb 05, 2008, 09:48:01
Optimistic  ;D
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: bob_s on Feb 06, 2008, 16:23:47
To be fair to pipex they did reply to my email requesting information about the cancelation

See below, note the price for phoning them at the bottom, lucky they replied to the email, as I would have been spitting feathers to paid 10p/min to speak to them.

=======================================================


Dear Sir

Thank you for your email

I can confirm to you that your account is cancellation pending and will be fully cancelled on the 22/02/2008.

If you have any further queries please don't hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards

Victor Chiwashira

Customer Care Email Team

Pipex Internet

Phone: 0871 222 5550
Fax: 0871 222 6373

Calls charged at 10p/min from a BT line or calls charged by Pipex at 5p/min. Calls from mobiles and other providers may vary.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 06, 2008, 16:26:14
I'd have switched to fax.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Barndog on Feb 06, 2008, 17:03:31
Thanks for the heads up Bob, i left Pipex a few weeks ago so will keep my eyes peeled just in case!
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Sebby on Feb 06, 2008, 22:23:19
Pipex are disgraceful when it comes to things like this. We all know their system don't work properly, and they have a habit of sending out automated nonsense. If you don't get anywhere with Pipex directly, going through the ISPA (http://www.ispa.org.uk) always worked for me in the past.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Lance on Feb 06, 2008, 23:16:40
One off the things I like about online banking is the ability to cancel a direct debit in seconds. saves hoping for the bank to act on a letter!
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Simon on Feb 07, 2008, 00:13:00
Indeed, Lance.  I don't know what I'd do without online banking now!
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 09:51:56
I started with online banking in 1986, HOBS from the Bank of Scotland, on the Prestel Service. I made £75 that year from switching money to and from a linked high interest account. I've never looked back. :)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Noreen on Feb 07, 2008, 10:36:45
I also use online banking, love being able to pay bills in the comfort of my own home at any time of night or day. :)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 10:40:47
It's great, isn't it, Noreen. It saves the banks a fortune, of course, but I do like the control.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Malc on Feb 07, 2008, 10:42:44
Another online banker here.

It's great for us, especially when sending money to the Philippines, so much easier than the days in the 1990's when I had to make appointments in tthe bank to send money to Lani, before she was here.

And in them days the bank used to charge £30 per transaction.

Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Inactive on Feb 07, 2008, 10:48:05
Quote from: Malc on Feb 07, 2008, 10:42:44

And in them days the bank used to charge £30 per transaction.



Mine still does Malc, ( HSBC ) well I think it is £20 and a terrible exchange rate.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Malc on Feb 07, 2008, 11:14:57
I BGC it to the Allied Bank of the Philippines in London which is free, as it's just like a DDR.

Then they transfer it to Lani's sister's account in the Philippines and it costs £5 for any ammount, and there is no more commission.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Inactive on Feb 07, 2008, 11:24:30
Thanks Malc, that is interesting.

When I bought my place in Spain, I used one of the larger currency exchange places, no charges, and I got the commercial rate of exchange.

I have now started to use a Nationwide Flex Account and I use my card at any Spanish Bank's Hole in the Wall, no charges and a fantastic exchange rate for me, all other banks have rip - off exchange rates/ charges.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: g7pkf on Feb 07, 2008, 11:37:45
Quote from: Inactive on Feb 07, 2008, 11:24:30
Thanks Malc, that is interesting.

When I bought my place in Spain, I used one of the larger currency exchange places, no charges, and I got the commercial rate of exchange.

I have now started to use a Nationwide Flex Account and I use my card at any Spanish Bank's Hole in the Wall, no charges and a fantastic exchange rate for me, all other banks have rip - off exchange rates/ charges.

Yep me too but if Nationwide ever did start charging i woul look at the post office apparently they do the same as nationwide.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 11:44:08
Full circle, back to the original Girobank concept. :)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Inactive on Feb 07, 2008, 11:48:36
Quote from: g7pkf on Feb 07, 2008, 11:37:45
Yep me too but if Nationwide ever did start charging i woul look at the post office apparently they do the same as nationwide.

Thanks for that, I hope they are better than their miserable currency exchange rates.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Si on Feb 07, 2008, 12:29:12
I use online banking, and indeed online services for all my utilities. Saves a load of paper - but I wonder how I'm going to cope the next time someone needs proof of address and asks me for a utility bill....!
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 12:31:02
You make a good point, Si, one that at least one member has already encountered. With the changes in the way we pay our bills, companies are going to have to adjust the forms of identity they ask for.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Inactive on Feb 07, 2008, 12:41:29
I also use online banking, but insist on paper bills for that very reason, apart from the fact that companies are saving a fortune using the " green umbrella " without passing much on to their customers.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 12:46:28
I agree with you on that, In. They use the emotional blackmail on us, but neglect to mention (or share) the huge savings they make.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Si on Feb 07, 2008, 13:06:57
Although I caught something on Radio4 this morning with half an ear that sounded like BT offering free evening and weekend calls if you move to electronic billing? Although as I was wrestling with a 16-month-old and a flannel at the time I may be mistaken...

My energy supplier knocks a fiver off a year for going paperless - so I suppose that's a reasonable amount given the processing and postage costs for 4 second-class letters a year.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Malc on Feb 07, 2008, 13:09:48
I'm with Powergen, and like with IDNet there is the option to download and print off an invoice if you need it.

Also they offer a discount if you do this.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 13:10:15
BT, I think, now give £1.50/quarter for paperless billing, though they didn't initially, iirc.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Si on Feb 07, 2008, 14:34:36
Yes, you're right, I found the detail on their site - new rate for DD & paper-free from March. Although it's actually £1.50 a month, which is quite reasonable....
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Ann on Feb 07, 2008, 16:18:36
Calls with BT are already free evenings and weekends aren't they?  Or 5p for connection and an hour is then free or something.  I think that's it anyway.  I'm only on the plain ol' line rental deal.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Inactive on Feb 07, 2008, 16:20:37
I never know with BT Ann, they change their pricing structure as often as I change my pants.


( That's about once a quarter ). ;D
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 16:28:25
Is that US-style pants, or UK-style, In? I'm just working out how far away to stand. :)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Malc on Feb 07, 2008, 19:08:21
Which pants, under or outer :-\
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Simon on Feb 07, 2008, 21:00:33
Quote from: Rik on Feb 07, 2008, 13:10:15
BT, I think, now give £1.50/quarter for paperless billing, though they didn't initially, iirc.

I thought, initially, BT were charging extra not to have paperless billing.  Or was that just not to have a direct debit?  Dunno, haven't been with them for years.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Lance on Feb 07, 2008, 22:09:07
They were charging more for not having a direct debit. :)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Simon on Feb 07, 2008, 22:14:07
How can a company fine you for not allowing them to debit your bank account as and when they like?  ::)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Lance on Feb 07, 2008, 22:24:20
Something to do with it costing them more to process non DD payments, they claimed!
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Sebby on Feb 07, 2008, 22:36:58
It's because it's less work for them if you pay by DD, so they give a discount for paying by this method. The discount must be less than the amount they save by not having to do the work.
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Si on Feb 07, 2008, 22:58:38
As a Credit Control manager (NOT for BT I hasten to add!) I can confirm that customers who pay by DD are a fair bit cheaper to administer. Theoretically you don't have the additional chasing letters/calls required for late payers, plus you can improve monthly cash-flow as everyone on DD will, by definition, pay bang on time. As money comes in via the BACS system it also simplifies allocating the cash to accounts, as opposed to cheque payments, and from a supplier point of view is generally a good thing.

Of course as soon as a DD bounces then it's all blown out of the water as you're behind the game and need to spend extra resource recovering the unpaid amount and trying to secure future ones.

Don't forget the direct debit guarantee is quite powerful for the customer - if you tell your bank a payment has been taken that is incorrect in any way the bank must refund you immediately and then take it up with the supplier to recover the money.

Right, I'll stop now - I'm boring myself!  ;D
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Lance on Feb 07, 2008, 23:04:32
Thanks for that Simon!
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Rik on Feb 08, 2008, 01:02:25
DD rules Rule. :)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Inactive on Feb 08, 2008, 01:12:49
They do...they do..  ;)
Title: Re: Ex Pipxers Beware
Post by: Malc on Feb 08, 2008, 07:29:45
I'll second that