LaTonya Linton, Gleaner Writer
EFFECTIVE TOMORROW, Bill Express will be charging a service fee of $35 for customers paying their utility bills.
Customers should have started paying the service charge, which is inclusive of General Consumption Tax as early as March 1, 2006.
"We are implementing a service charge on the service we provide. We have not really been charging before and its something we are now implementing," said Michael McNaughton, general manager at Bill Express.
Mr. McNaughton added that with the implementation of the service charge some customers would not want to use the service to pay their utility bills.
"It will have a negative impact on our customer base. I think there are some persons who will not want to pay it, but I do not think it will be significant," he added.
"We have actually carried out focus group research. We have spoken to quite a few customers and the general sentiment is it is a cost yes, but they value the service more significantly than the nominal charge," he continued.
David Geddes, director of consumer and public affairs at the Office of Utilities and Regulations (OUR) said there was nothing they could do about the service fees that Bill Express will be charging its customers.
"Bill Express can do anything they want to do, they are a private company. But if that becomes the trend (service charge) that the banks and the other bill collection agency start to charge customers then we would definitely have a problem with it," added Mr. Geddes.
Mr. Geddes said that the OUR has been notified about the service charge and that the regulatory body has been communicating its concern to the utility companies involved.
"We are not of the belief that customers are to be asked to pay twice in order to pay their bills or incur a cost in both sides of it in order to pay their bills," added Mr. Geddes.
Mr. McNaughton added that there would be no service charge to their online bill payment service. He also stated that Bill Express is a product offered under the Grace Kennedy Remittance Services. There are over 220 Bill Express facilities island-wide.
