Are you keeping BT rich?

By JO THORNHILL
Updated: 19:00 EST, 16 May 2001

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THOUSANDS of households are still throwing money down the drain each month by paying more than they need for utility bills.

Servista.com, the online utility bill provider and consolidator, says 81% of homes are keeping BT rich and 71% are keeping British Gas rich due to their apathy.

Only a small minority of households have actually made the switch to different providers since deregulation, according to independent research by Ofgem and Oftel the industry regulators.

Servista claims that the average household could save £150 a year on their combined phone and utility bills by switching to its online service.

And online bill provider Buy.co.uk also believes most people could cut their bills dramatically by signing up to its website.

Courtney Sheets, CEO of Servista, says too many people are wasting money sticking with their traditional providers and points out that the ease of use of Servista is a big plus point: 'With a combined e-bill for phone, gas and electricity, our customers no longer have the hassle of receiving separate paper bills or wasting time dealing with separate utility companies and unhelpful call centres.'

One of the main concerns new customers might have is that an online provider is not easy to contact should things go wrong. But Sheets, of Servista, points out that Servista won the Revolution award for best customer service in April.

It is quick and easy to sign up and register with online providers and once you're online you can view all your bills in one place and see statements on the screen at any time. Payment is done by direct debit and you never have to receive a paper bill.

www.servista.com

www.buy.co.uk