Usual Chaos

Time to risk WW3 and have a final grumble about the chaotic systems of Plusnet.
I have just switched both line and broadband from Plusnet and fully expected some tidying up with the final bill. My billing date has always been the 25th, so waiting for the overpaid Broadband was fully expected.
We need to give you a refund. This is because you have overpaid us for your account.

You're due a refund of £9.00 and we're currently processing this for you.

The refund will appear in your bank account soon, this may take up to 14 days.
So Plusnet owe me money and are going to hold onto it uptil the usual billing date.
So, why are they grabbing 63p this week, for a couple of phone calls that took place after my last billing date.
We'll soon be taking a payment of £0.63 for your service. This will leave
your account on or after 16/07/2012.

Edited by professor973 (Wed 11-Jul-12 09:58:37)

The refund will appear in your bank account soon, this may take up to 14 days.

That sounds like a direct debit refund, which can take 10 working days (14 calendar days) to appear back in your account, it just happens to coincide with when your next bill would have been.

Yes I realise that, but am wondering why it couldn't all be sorted in one bill as usual.

Chaos?
OTT?
AH - not unusual for m0aur.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Chaos?
OTT?
AH - not unusual for m0aur.

Mornin' Sniper!

All sounds very efficient to me, no idea why it seems to upset you so much. Chill.

In reply to a post by kasg:

All sounds very efficient to me, no idea why it seems to upset you so much. Chill.

It does not upset me at all. I am actually entertained by their chaotic systems. As I said, Broadband and phone charges are usually detailed in one bill, so I cannot see any reason on earth outside a chaotic system to charge me 63p for a couple of calls by direct debit when I am already £9 in credit due to Broadband overpayment.
If working like that seems very efficient to you, you would do well at B.T. or Tescon organising the next money-grab wheeze.

Edited by professor973 (Wed 11-Jul-12 12:00:25)

Possibly amending the £9 would delay the process further

It seems very detailed to me though. You know exactly what's happening. What's the issue with that?

Could be a lot worse

At lets end that sub thread at this point.

Try a book on elementary book-keeping prof , and then do some research into maintaining valid audit trails in complex integrated sales & order, stock, invoicing and accounting computer systems.

There are possibly better ways of organising your specific type of transaction, but the system as it is handles things fine without adding unnecessary exponentially growing complexity.

Every single transaction has to be easily tracable through the system by the company's auditors, usually charged by the (extremely expensive) hour when approving the annual accounts. Many individual items are checked in this way, from beginning to end. KISS applies.

Edited by RobertoS (Wed 11-Jul-12 12:31:07)