Calls for KC to scrap paper bills charge
PRESSURE is growing for Kingston Communications to scrap controversial plans to charge customers for receiving phone bills through the post.
As revealed in yesterday's Mail, the telecom firm, based in Carr Lane, city centre, propose to charge customers £1 to received paper bills from January 1.
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East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby
But the plans provoked outrage from KC customers, in particular elderly people and those without a computer, who say they are unable to pay their bills over the Internet.
Now councillors from both local authorities have pledged to address the issue, which is expected to be raised at forthcoming council meetings.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby, leader of East Riding Council, condemned the charge as "heavy-handed" and "confrontational".
He said he is reluctant to make payments online because of the risk of hacking and fraud.
Cllr Parnaby said: "A lot of people – myself included – feel uncomfortable about making payments online.
"We have a growing elderly population and the vast majority won't want to pay online."
According to KC, the charges have been introduced to cut the company's carbon footprint.
The firm claims cutting the amount of paper used to produce the bills will reduce the need to chop down trees.
Councillor Stephen Brady, leader of the Labour group at Hull City Council, said they should have consulted the public before implementing the charge.
He said: "It is supposed to benefit the environment, but why didn't they engage people in discussion on the environment before they did anything?
"The least they could've done is hold consultation meetings to engage the public ... they could have gone away with some really good ideas.
Cllr Brady said the issue was to be discussed at a council meeting called for November 4, where they would be calling for KC to rethink the policy.
The Mail put the councillor's concerns to KC.
But despite mounting pressure, Andrew Peterson, head of consumer marketing at the company, said it would still be introducing the charges.
Mr Peterson said: "We feel by introducing this small charge, it is the most appropriate way of encouraging a large percentage of our customers to make the change to KCOnline and reduce the environmental impact of producing bills.
"We have already identified a number of customers that will be excluded from the charge, where we feel it be difficult for them to manage their accounts online.
"However other customers that continue to receive a paper bill will be charged £1 per paper bill from January 1, 2009."
53 Comments
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by Chris, Hull
Monday, October 27 2008, 1:27PM
“All this over £1”
by Martin, Keyingham
Monday, October 27 2008, 9:30AM
“The only problem here is KC have been honest. They could have marginally increased costs overall and then offered a £1 discount to customers who manage their accounts online and accepted the paperless billing system. It's just a matter of spin. Those without internet access would have complained it was unfair if they couldn't get the £1 discount. Regradless of which way you look at it, sending bits of paper through the post just isn't cost effective when we have the cleaner greener alternatives now available to us. KC should be applauded for their action on this, not critisized. As other folk have pointed out, BT charge £1.50 for their paper bills, it's just not been widely publicised.”
by James, Cottingham
Monday, October 27 2008, 4:34AM
“There is a way to slash your KC bill, join the Utility Warehouse. I have.”
by Jim, Hull
Monday, October 27 2008, 12:26AM
“Its pure comedy coming on here, everyone seems to know it all about everything, after some basic research I found out that to change to Karoo mid or pro will not cost any additional money and will enter a new 12 month contract with the exception of Karoo lite which does incur a £30 "set-up" fee and ties into a new 18 month contract.
Everyone on here clearly has access to the internet and so could sign up to the online billing system, and has been mentioned, there is no need to pay the bill online, I for one have been using KC online for the last couple of years and pay by direct debit, I have a record of my bill whenever I want it and is very simple to access. Now I don't particularly agree with the additional £1, I think they could have gone the other way and offered a £1 discount for those who use the online system, but at the end of the day, really what is £1 every three months, will it really break the bank?
In response to John, Hull who has worked out the amount of energy it would use to check your bill online, did you not just waste energy to write your comment on this site, whats that done to your carbon footprint?”
by KC Engineer, Hull
Sunday, October 26 2008, 10:06PM
“Carbon footprint reduction!!! what a load of cobblers and an absolutley feeble excuse for the £1 charge. You should all see the amount of paper work we fill in that nobody takes any notice of and then just goes straight into the bin. "Reducing the carbon footprint"?? i think its getting bigger to stamp on us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by Paul S (not the other Paul), Hull
Sunday, October 26 2008, 9:38PM
“Paul - I don't know where Derek gets his information from - but you are dead right. Sounds like Derek is in danger of being duped by one of these KC 'offers.' I got a Karoo price increase recently; also, I got tied into a 12 month deal - then when you try to change package they try to tie you in for 18 months now. Karoo should be taught that they have a licence to operate in Hull NOT a right to short-change the captive market and hold the city back. Paul, you said you were thinking you may cancel your contract - but where else can you go?”
by derek, hull
Sunday, October 26 2008, 1:03PM
“1 or 12 month contract options¿
FREE set-up
"details from the karoo website"
not as paul from hull states, come on when you complain about anything get the facts right!”
by Paul, Hull
Sunday, October 26 2008, 9:45AM
“Miss K, Hedon, You will of received a letter from KC recently if you are on the old broadband packages. I am on broadband 500 which is rising from 17.99 to 18.99 as of the 15th November. People are paying less and less for broadband with so many deals out there, we are paying more to keep what we have got. You can change your package for a 30 pound setup charge and an 18 month contract, I do not want a contract as I like to think I can cancel when I feel like it.( which maybe soon!).”
by John, Sat on a phone mast.
Sunday, October 26 2008, 9:40AM
“For the unlucky ones unable to connect this morning, Krapoo is having issues again! Luckily it doesn't affect me on mobile broadband! Well, until the anti phone mast army petitions to remove them all! Carphone warehouse are doing a pay as you go 12 month pre paid starter pack for 99 quid that includes the dongle etc! A lot cheaper than the £400+ you pay to Krapoo and KC each year! Now who would have ever thought mobile would have been cheaper???”
by Pete, I'm a Yorshire Pudding
Sunday, October 26 2008, 9:12AM
“Only one way to solve this whole KC shambles ladies and gents....
We need to set up a petition, this with an agreed date and will need to run for at least 3 - 6 months... If we get atleast half of the number of Internet users within Hull to enlist then we could be on a winner!
Say for example. In January we all call KC to cancel our Phone line, Internet connection and anything else we have associated with KC. I know businesses will make up the majority percent of profits but this will cause a huge uproar. OK, we will have to go without the priv of having our landline and internet for a few months but I bet you this would work!
For instance, whilst writing this my broadband connection has cut out for 1 - 20 - mins and 2 - 7 mins and it still is playing up. I was only receiving 70kb sec last week down load when on 8MB, when raised this all i got back was 'we have reset your line so all is looking better' not an apology or nothing. For those who dont know the difference, they could be getting right ripped off....An appauling service.
I'm sure if we were to go ahead with this and it reaches the headlines, and the news...many more will follow resulting in happy days....
Oh....cant send just yet as my connection has failed yet again for the fourth time this morning....
right...wheres me gravy!
Router Status
Connection Time - 00:00:00
Connecting to Server - Disconnect
Negotiation - LCP is allowed to come up (LCP down)”