E-Commerce Times Talkback

Re: E-Bill Payment: Is the Check Really in the Mail?
Posted by: Paul A. Greenberg 2001-12-18 21:39:13

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Online bill payment is catching on with the public, although many consumers continue
to contend with nagging glitches, such as missed payments and little or no response
to consumer service inquiries. In order to be successful, major billers, banks and
creditors need to integrate their efforts so consumers can easily access a single site
to view statements, pay bills and get questions answered.

Re: E-Bill Payment: Is the Check Really in the Mail?
Posted by: Alan Y 2001-12-28 10:03:09 In reply to: Paul A. Greenberg

I've been using PayMyBills.com for over 2 years now and have not had any problems that I did not create myself. I think the technology is relatively mature for the wired masses and it's only a matter of time before we see widespread usage.

Re: E-Bill Payment: Is the Check Really in the Mail?
Posted by: Randy Smith 2001-12-21 12:22:56 In reply to: Paul A. Greenberg

Today's bill payment is O.K., but what is offered today will in a few short years be discarded as is a 5-year-old PC.

So let's skip to the end of the book and see what soon will be. Eventually, paying someone will be quite literally as simple, fast and efficient as dialing a phone or sending an email. Just like Hotmail birthed and aided the growth of email, so will the spread of a universal payment methodology take place.

Bill payment of the future will literally allow you to pay one in real-time via email or phone. The recipient will receive payment as fast as an email or telephone call. The recipient will immediately have access to the funds. It will be very much like making an ATM POS purchase in the real world.

E-Bills and payments will be sent and received via email. This payment method will replace not only wire transfer, but eventually will surpass ACH volume. Why? It is what people want and it is more efficient, fast and simple. Overall there will be a tri-vergence of email, telecommunications and EFT.

I can't give away more than this, but I do hold 'The Ring' and await benevolent friends to respond, before those who oppress take the Ring.

Re: E-Bill Payment: Is the Check Really in the Mail?
Posted by: Kate Sauceda 2001-12-19 14:25:57 In reply to: Paul A. Greenberg

I've been using e-billing through Bills.com for almost two years. I have the ability to see five e-bills from local and regional companies, and pay virtually anyone. I love the service and would not go back to paper. However, I experienced a situation similar to Mr. Greenberg.

I paid the local electric company (which does not offer the ability to receive e-bills) and was hit with a late fee because the payment didn’t post. I contacted the electric company to see what happened and asked them reverse the fee. I was told that I had to contact the e-bill payment service to fix the situation. Ultimately, the e-bill payment service got the fee reversed, cancelled the first payment, and issued a second payment that promptly posted to my electric company account.

When I asked about the problem, Bills.com customer service told me that some companies do not have the ability to receive electric payments, so a check is mailed instead. In this situation, the electric company misplaced the check, so Bills.com issued a replacement. I think the above scenario would be avoided if more companies would add the ability to send e-bills and/or accept electronic payments!

Re: E-Bill Payment: Is the Check Really in the Mail?
Posted by: larry.brockman 2001-12-19 13:20:25 In reply to: Paul A. Greenberg

I have paid every bill I receive in the mail for the last couple of years without a single incident. I am very pleased with the process but there is always room for improvement.

I would very much like to receive e-bills and not paper thru the same service I use to pay these bills. Today, I fill out a check via the web and a paper check is cut and mailed in almost every instance. I would like to see the funds go as EFTs and not paper via the mail system as the rule and not the exception.

Re: E-Bill Payment: Is the Check Really in the Mail?
Posted by: Bruce Prescott 2001-12-19 12:32:02 In reply to: Paul A. Greenberg

Articles like this tick me off.

It is irresponsible to talk about problems will e-bills not being paid and not identify the service that is the culprit.

I am a stockholder in Checkfree. If this is a problem with Checkfree, say so, otherwise don't let problems with other providers bleed over on Checkfree.

I've been using Checkfree's bill pay for years and never had a problem.