tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985375119695599206.post8749574781585306968..comments2011-07-12T14:43:32.185-05:00Billy Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388845919168009946noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985375119695599206.post-49749451406868269752011-07-12T14:27:41.335-05:002011-07-12T14:27:41.335-05:00"It is far more likely for a person using conventional billing and payment to miss a payment while out of town at the wrong time and wind up with service disconnected" That statement totally contradicts the whole point you are trying to make. If you can miss a bill in the mail, you can miss an online bill just the same (with much greater consequences, as I stated before), unless you are assuming that everyone that goes out of town is constantly checking their email for discrepancies in their bill. "Should be rare?" (keyword: should) Maybe... but like I said, it only takes one time to really screw up your checking account. As far as a "service disconnect", that would be one long vacation you are on. I guess if you have a summer or winter home you stay in it would be great. So I disagree.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367523374114006410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985375119695599206.post-12811742925311615342011-06-29T21:21:43.267-05:002011-06-29T21:21:43.267-05:00Greg, in our case the e-bill or the on-line information is presented so many days before the amount is actually withdrawn from the account that the risk you describe should be very rare. It is far more likely for a person using conventional billing and payment to miss a payment while out of town at the wrong time and wind up with service disconnected. We think the smaller risk, by far, is to authorize direct debit from an account or a credit card.Billy Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388845919168009946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985375119695599206.post-14587797170874208252011-06-29T19:49:23.209-05:002011-06-29T19:49:23.209-05:00Auto-pay from checking is fine for fixed payments (i.e.: car or house payment that's the same every month) but not on fluctuating payments (i.e.: water, gas or electric). If you're out of town or miss looking at your bill online and there is a discrepancy in the amount (error or for example, an unknown water leak underground) and the amount is much more than normal, then it could overdraft your account causing overdraft fees, returned check fees, ect. It only takes one time, charges can add up fast and are very hard to get reversed. Not very convenient. Yes, you can correct the bill but the damage has already been done. Yes, I have had first hand experience with this (not. EPB). Just something for everyone to be aware of.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367523374114006410noreply@blogger.com