[jambutty]

I received a letter from UU the other day that informed me that as from 1st July 2008 I would no longer be able to use my plastic paying in card at the Post Office to pay my water bill free of charge or at Pay Point shops.

Instead I will have to either opt for DD and get a reduction of £5 pa, (Wow!) or pay by Debit Card via the telephone or Internet or use the supplied new piece of plastic, which I could use to pay at local shops displaying the Payzone sign. Very thoughtfully my letter listed two local Payzone shops where fortunately one of which is en-route from the Darwen Post Office to back home.

As there was nothing in the letter to indicate whether Payzone will be free or not I rang UU to find out. Just bear in mind all I wanted to ask was “Is Payzone free and if not what is the charge?”

A Scottish female voice answered.
Me – Good afternoon! Can you tell me…………..
Voice interrupted – Your account number please.
Me – I only want to ask one simple question.
Voice – I need your account number.
I gave the account number and continued - Can you tell me…………..
Voice interrupted – Your full name please.
Me – I only want to ask one simple question.
Voice – I need your full name.
I gave my full name and continued - Can you tell me…………..
The exchange of words carried on in this format with “Post Code?”, “House number?”, “Street name?”, “Town?” and finally “DOB”.

With my voice thickly laden with exasperation I retorted, “My shoe size is 6”, “My collar size is ???” and a few other similar comments.
“No need to be rude” she responded.

Me - “All I wanted to know is whether I will be charged for using Payzone so there was no need for all those personal questions.”

A few more verbal exchanges but after all that she answered my simple question and revealed that there would be no charge at Payzone. She also informed me that I would still be able to pay at the Post Office but I would be charged £2.30.

But that wasn’t the end. Oh! No! She had two more questions.

She – “Do you own the property?”
Me – “It’s none of your business.”
She – “There is no need to be rude. Do you own the property?”
Me – “I’m not telling you. It’s none of your business.”
She asked another question but I’ve forgotten what it was. However my response was the same.
Finally me – “Thank you for the information” and I rang off before she had a chance to ask yet another question.