Latest news with #bills
CTV News
11 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Why your water bill is rising
The City of Winnipeg has upped its rates for water and sewer services and people are seeing the jump in their bills. CTV's Jeff Keele reports.
CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Can ChatGPT Help With Bill Negotiations? We Put It to the Test
You could save a little spare change using AI-generated scripts to negotiate your some experts love to tell us to stop buying lattes and avocado toast, there are far more realistic ways to cut costs from your budget. And if you're comfortable getting on the phone with your bank or utility provider to negotiate a deal, this strategy might be for you. You can use artificial intelligence to save money on groceries, find the best deals online and, for when you don't know what to say or what approach is best to secure a better price from these companies, AI tools can help you prepare talking points and draft scripts to negotiate your bills. Since ChatGPT is a conversational AI tool, it felt like the right chatbot to turn me into a master negotiator. ChatGPT, released in November 2022 as a free or paid premium version ($20 a month), can also help clarify language, offer negotiation strategies and organize your argument. What is a bill negotiation? Does it actually work? If you've ever been unhappy with your cell service or internet outages and contacted your provider, you may have been granted a discount on your next bill to compensate for your troubles. So, yes: you can always negotiate fees and bills, particularly with a compelling reason for why you should get a discount or waiver. (Here's CNET's best tips on negotiating a better deal with your internet provider.) I wanted to test two negotiating scenarios with AI: Random bank fees. Recurring expenses, like a utility bill. Negotiating bank fees with AI I realized I'd overlooked some bank fees when I carefully checked my statement. ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET These types of fees are easy to miss or let slide, but if I had a script to use, I'd be more willing to call my bank. So, I asked ChatGPT to help me create one. Prompt 1: "I have two bank fees: A $15 charge for an incoming wire fee and a $2.50 charge for a non-Citibank ATM use. I have a Citibank checking account. What talking points can I use to get these fees wiped?" ChatGPT suggested that when requesting a fee refund, be polite, personable and highlight my history as a customer. I liked how it gave specific talking points for each fee: ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET It provided a sample script, but it was pretty generic, so I followed up with some more details. Prompt 2: "I've been with Citibank since 2019. Ask how I can avoid incoming wire fees in the future, given I have international clients paying into my checking account. Please update the script." ChatGPT told me it's good to ask the bank for advice on avoiding fees in the future, because banks are more willing to assist long-term customers. ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET I tweaked ChatGPT's draft to make it more concise and personable: "Hi, my name is Amanda, and I've been with Citibank since 2019. I noticed two fees on my account: a $15 incoming wire fee and a $2.50 fee for using a non-Citibank ATM. I usually don't incur these types of charges, so I'm calling to see if these fees can be waived? Also, I have international clients who frequently pay me via my checking account. Could you please advise me on the best way to avoid incoming wire fees in the future?" This is a pretty straightforward script and negotiation, but I wanted to see how ChatGPT would hold up with the bigger deals. Negotiate recurring bills with AI I have a $99 Verizon Fios bill, and I wanted to see if I could negotiate a discount or find ways to pay less than $1,188 annually. Prompt 1: "I pay $99 per month for my Verizon Fios internet. How can I get a discount or pay less than $1,188 annually?" ChatGPT suggested I check current Verizon promotions and research current competitor offers before calling customer service. It also gave me some nuggets of advice I hadn't thought of, like calling at a different time and trying the online chat. ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET Prompt 2: "I don't want to downgrade my plan. Offer creative suggestions that I can communicate to Verizon." It gave me some solid options. Some of its suggestions included extending your contract for a discount, asking about referral programs, requesting a loyalty discount, bundling additional services, paying annually to save money, paperless billing and autopay discounts, promotional rates for loyalty, compensation for service outages, reviewing additional fees and inquiring about enhanced services or benefits you can add to your plan for the same rate. I picked the points I liked and asked ChatGPT to include them in the script. Prompt 3: "Use the extended contract, loyalty discount, annual payment discount, promotional rates, enhanced services at the same rate options in the script." Here's ChatGPT's revised negotiation script: ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET I tweaked it to this: "Hi, my name is Amanda, and I've been with Verizon Fios for over four years. I currently pay $99 a month for my internet service, which comes to $1,188 annually. I'd like to explore ways to reduce my monthly bill without downgrading my plan. I'm willing to commit to an extended contract or pay in full for the year if that could lower my rate. Additionally, as a long-term customer, I believe I should be eligible for a loyalty discount. Are there any loyalty programs or discounts available? I've noticed there are promotional rates for new customers and competitive deals with other providers. I value Verizon's service and would prefer not to switch providers. Is there anything you can do to lower my bill?" If you need to play hardball, ChatGPT suggests strategies like requesting to speak to the retention department, expressing willingness to switch providers, highlighting any past issues with your service and asking for a complimentary upgrade. Does negotiating using ChatGPT work? Companies assume customers won't advocate for themselves. There are no guarantees that negotiating will work, but there's no harm in trying. A conversation might take you 30 minutes (and then there's the time you'll spend waiting on hold), but it could potentially save you hundreds of dollars over your lifetime as a customer. It's also good practice to build the skill of negotiation, which you can use in more important parts of your life, such as negotiating a pay bump at work. Always be kind, come prepared with figures, and be clear about what you want. Companies don't want to lose valued customers.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Energy price cap now predicted to rise in October - is it time to take a fixed tariff?
Energy bills will be higher in October when Ofcom's price cap changes, according to new predictions. The price cap increased to £1,849 in April but is set to fall to £1,720 at the start of July, when demand for gas and electricity is lower. However, households not on a fixed tariff may have to brace themselves for another increase in their bills when the price cap changes again in October. Suppliers often publish their predictions for where the price cap might be in three months, although these usually come with heavy caveats that it might change. Eon Next predicts dual-fuel households will pay £28 more for their energy in October as the price cap increases £1,748. EDF predicts an even bigger increase of £44 to £1,764, while British Gas thinks it will rise by £45 to £1,765. Further ahead, both EDF and British Gas predict a further increase in January to £1,796 and £1,795. This follows the general trajectory of the price cap, with households paying higher prices in the colder months. While the energy market has stabilised in recent months, British Gas warns that 'surprises can happen' and if geopolitical tensions worsen, prices could go up affecting its predictions. EDF says its long-term forecast 'has increased on the back of rising gas prices'. These changes only apply to households using variable rates and not those with fixed deals. Is it time to take out a fixed deal? Households that fixed their energy bill today would still make a significant saving on both the July price cap and the predicted increase in October. Outfox the Market is offering a two-year fixed deal with an average annual bill of £1,535. When energy prices spiked most households slipped energy price cap tariffs, but it is now possible again to switch to fixed rate energy deals that can save you money. This is Money's recommended partner uSwitch lets you compare the best energy deals for you, based on your home and gas and electricity costs. > Compare the best energy deals with uSwitch* By entering your address and energy usage, you can search for energy deals that can cut your costs and suit how you live. Switching energy provider can also help the planet, if you move to one of the green deals offering electricity from renewable sources and more environmentally-friendly gas. > Check the best fixed rate energy deals with uSwitch and This is Money * *Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. This does not affect our editorial independence. If prices were to rise to the highest predicted level in October, households would still make a saving of £230. Similarly, its 12-month deal is currently set at £1,537, which would offer a £228 saving in October, and its 18-month deal a £225 saving. These deals lock customers in for a period of time, at least 12 months, so the risk is that the price cap could fall later on and they would pay more - but it is unlikely the price cap will drop dramatically in the near future. Tariffs cheaper than the price cap Top energy deals Supplier Tariff Fix duration Average annual bill Saving vs April price cap (£1,849) Saving vs July price cap (£1,720) Exit fees Outfox the Market 2-year Fix'd Dual Jun25 v2.0 24 months £1,535 £314 £185 £100 per fuel Outfox the Market Fix'd Dual Jun25 12M v2.0 12 months £1,537 £312 £183 £50 per fuel Outfox the Market 18-Month Fix'd Dual Jun25 v1.0 18 months £1,540 £309 £180 £75 per fuel Tulo Energy Tulo Fixed May 25 12 months £1,585 £264 £135 £60 per fuel Next Next Fixed 12m v62 12 months £1,599 £250 £121 £50 per fuel Source: Prices correct as of 8:42am on 16 June 2025. Tariffs included within the table are the cheapest non-bundle fixed tariffs, not variable or tracker. All energy tariffs and prices mentioned are subject to change without notice, and rates vary upon region. These are the cheapest tariffs available based on suppliers who have updated Uswitch with their rates.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Exact date millions of energy customers must make crucial check ahead of bills FALLING
ENERGY bills will fall for millions of households this summer - but it's important to make a key move before then. The price cap will go down by £129 on July 1, cutting the average energy bill from £1,849 to £1,720 a year. 1 Over 22million households on standard variable tariffs are directly affected by the price cap, which is updated every three months. Many might still pay more than Ofgem's headline figure because the cap limits the prices you pay, not your total bill. Those on a standard variable tariff – as opposed to a fixed deal – should submit their electricity and gas readings to their supplier as close as possible to July 1 to ensure they are billed accurately at the lower prices. If you don't submit readings, you risk having some of your usage after this date charged at the previous, more expensive rates. Suppliers who have not received meter readings base their bills on estimated usage, meaning households could be overpaying, while others may not be paying enough. But even if you took your meter reading close to July 1, you don't have to submit it straight away. Many firms actually offer longer for customers to submit the reading. Some give you a few days after the price cap changes to submit a backdated meter reading, while others give you a week or more. For example, Next customers can submit their meter reading from five days before the price cap change until five days after. While British Gas asks customers to submit the reading a few days before or up to 14 days after. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now Check with your supplier to find out the latest date you can submit a reading. It's worth noting that if you're on a fixed rate tariff, or if you have a smart or prepayment meter, you don't need to submit readings. How to submit a meter reading The easiest way to take a meter reading is to take a photo of your gas and electricity meters. This means you have evidence in case you need to dispute a bill. You can send in your meter reading online via your energy account. Some providers will also let you send in the numbers by text or through their app. Check which options your supplier offers on their website. Electricity meters If you have a digital electricity meter, you will see a row of six numbers. Five of them will be in black and one will be in red. Write down the five numbers in black, which are shown from left to right. If you are on an economy 7 or 10 tariff, which gives you cheaper electricity at night, then you will have two rows of numbers. You need both to take a reading. If you have a traditional dial meter then you need to read the first five dials from left to right. Ignore any red dials. If the pointer is between two numbers then write down the lowest figure. If it is between nine and zero then write down the number nine. Gas meters If you have a digital metric gas meter showing five numbers followed by a decimal point then you need to write down the first five numbers. If you have a digital imperial meter then you will see four black numbers and two red numbers. Write down the four black numbers only. If you have a digital gas meter, follow the same steps as the digital electricity meter. What energy bill help is available? There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Is your phone provider's autopay discount really worth it?
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Autopay is easily one of the most convenient ways to pay your bills, especially if you're like me and struggle to keep track of everything manually. Without autopay, it's easy to accidentally miss a payment if you're not careful. In the past, I've used autopay for nearly everything — from health and car insurance to utility bills, recurring entertainment subscriptions, and, of course, services like phone plans that offer discounts for autopay enrollment. While there's much to appreciate about autopay, there's also a dark side I've discovered over the years. Is the autopay discount offered by your phone provider worth it? For many, I believe the answer is yes, but it's essential to be aware of the downsides and take precautions. Let's start by exploring a few potential disadvantages of autopay discounts and some steps you can take to mitigate the associated risks. Is that autopay discount really worth it? 0 votes Yes NaN % Yes, but with extra precautions like a second bank account or credit card. NaN % No NaN % Unsure/other (Tell us more in comments) NaN % Accidental charges Accidental or incorrect charges are more common than you might think. For example, in a recent Reddit thread, user Ok-Concentrate4461 reported being triple-charged by Verizon in one month. Another user experienced a bill attempting to charge again for the previous month, despite the account already being current. Sometimes, these charges aren't even related directly to your account! About a month ago (though I can't find the source anymore), I saw a Redditor complaining about charges from an old landline account not associated with their mobile service. It turned out someone on their line had an unpaid bill from years prior, and the carrier charged it using the autopay method, regardless of whether the actual account holder had any involvement. Autopay makes it easier to forget about some of your bills, increasing the likelihood of accidental charges slipping through unnoticed. There have also been incidents where accounts ended up with someone else's autopay information, likely due to a customer service mix-up. Even if you convince your carrier to acknowledge the mistake, securing an actual refund can be challenging. Most carriers prefer to provide bill credits rather than outright refunds. If this happens to you, insist on clarity regarding how long it'll take to recover your money. Reduced awareness of bills and service changes Joe Maring / Android Authority If you don't actively review your bill each month, you'll likely overlook the exact amounts deducted from your account. Autopay users are more susceptible to unnoticed accidental charges because of reduced visibility. Less frequent review of your bill also means missing critical notices regarding fee increases or service changes. Autopay customers often fail to detect incremental price hikes, resulting in less frequent comparison shopping and potentially paying higher rates over time. Risk of payment failure, insufficient funds, and overdrafts Reduced visibility also heightens the risk of payment failures due to insufficient funds. While most autopay transactions are typically predictable, I've experienced instances — particularly with Verizon — where pull dates randomly shifted with no explanation. If a payment hits before funds are available, you could face significant issues, especially if you live paycheck to paycheck or meticulously manage your finances. Even with overdraft protection, you might avoid an unpaid bill, but you'll likely incur additional bank fees. Without overdraft protection, or if you've forgotten to update your payment method after changing cards, you risk missed payments, additional fees, and potentially negative impacts on your credit score. Privacy and security concerns Storing your bank or credit card details on third-party servers introduces security risks. While we'd like to trust major carriers have our backs, the reality is that security breaches happen. Autopay offers convenience and potential savings, but it's crucial to weigh this against the privacy and security risks involved. It's also important to consider what account you give your provider access to, as you may have a few other options, including using a credit card for better control over any disputes. Should you keep autopay, or not? Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Ultimately, I still personally use autopay and find the convenience worth the risks. However, whether autopay is suitable for you depends entirely on your personal circumstances. Those living paycheck-to-paycheck face higher risks, so evaluate your financial stability carefully. If, like me, you decide autopay's benefits outweigh the downsides, consider the following measures to better protect yourself: Use a second, dedicated bank account: I personally use a primary bank for daily finances and a separate account, like Chime, solely for autopay bills. This arrangement limits your risk since the secondary account only contains enough funds to cover expected payments, making it easier to spot any discrepancies quickly. I personally use a primary bank for daily finances and a separate account, like Chime, solely for autopay bills. This arrangement limits your risk since the secondary account only contains enough funds to cover expected payments, making it easier to spot any discrepancies quickly. Consider using a credit card: If managing multiple bank accounts seems complicated, consider using a credit card with a fixed limit for autopay transactions. Disputing incorrect charges is typically simpler with credit cards compared to reversing debit transactions. If managing multiple bank accounts seems complicated, consider using a credit card with a fixed limit for autopay transactions. Disputing incorrect charges is typically simpler with credit cards compared to reversing debit transactions. Set a monthly calendar reminder to review your bills: Once a month, thoroughly examine your autopay transactions and billing statements. Verify all charges and account notices, promptly addressing any unusual activity or discrepancies.
