topic Re: Monthly billing in Energy Accounts & Plans

Monthly billing

Manuela — Wed, 01 May 2024 21:58:05 GMT

I would like to tell a human that this latest idea of monthly billing is objectionable. It is just a way to force you to go to direct debit because of the inconvenience it causes . With direct debit, people are less likely to question their bills. And I know from friends and family just how many mistakes are regularly made in billing .
AGL - don’t try and couch this change as a benefit for the customer. It is purely for your profits

Re: Monthly billing

Lester — Wed, 01 May 2024 23:58:13 GMT

I think you know that you can opt out of monthly billing, via your account setting in the app or the AGL website.

Yes, one shouldn't have to opt out, but be invited to opt in.

I posted this when I received notification of this a couple of weeks ago . . .

https://neighbourhood.agl.com.au/t5/Energy-Accounts-Plans/Deciding-bill-frequency-for-the-customer-now/m-p/35776#M5194

Re: Monthly billing

COPTOTERMES — Fri, 03 May 2024 22:36:02 GMT

I love monthly billing, makes it easier to budget, and you should be checking your account regularly anyway!

Re: Monthly billing

Lester — Fri, 03 May 2024 23:06:11 GMT

@COPTOTERMES do you have the option to pay on receiving a bill, or do you have to direct debit ?

I think you can just get a monthly bill and pay on that, rather than have automatic deductions, but the original poster was concerned many might be tempted into direct debit for convenience then, and sometimes there are erroneous bill calculations, where you are at the mercy of the retailer to remove funds that are probably needed for other living expenses.

Then having to go through a drawn out process to get the matter rectified / refunded.

There is a benefit of monthly for some customers, but for others quarterly is just less work with 4 payments a year instead of 12.

I'd like monthly in one way, I'm working on a spreadsheet for TOU data to accurately check my own bills, and it means calculation on spreadsheet inputs of about 11520 lines instead of 34560 lines.

At the moment in my spare time, I'm trying to work through formulas to assist in this, but the data is pretty spread through the 48 time blocks a day, and with 8 different units to separate it is not easy (no spreadsheet wizard am I, ha ha).

Re: Monthly billing

megan_AGL — Wed, 08 May 2024 05:29:06 GMT

Hi Manuela,

Thank you for reaching out.

We can appreciate that monthly billing may not be suitable for everyone and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Monthly billing is absolutely optional and if you do wish to opt out, you can do so via the AGL app or my account platform.

Kind regards,

Megan

Re: Monthly billing

Manuela — Wed, 08 May 2024 06:41:35 GMT

Thanks Megan.
Maybe the wording of the email telling customers that there would be a change to monthly billing could be amended to reflect that it is in fact optional. It would be handy to provide information on how to restore the quarterly billing.
Regards
Manuela
Sent from my iPhone

Re: Monthly billing

Deepesh_AGL — Mon, 13 May 2024 05:07:10 GMT

Hi Manuela, You can change your billing frequency through AGL My account. Once you log into your account go to account settings then billing frequency and edit it to what you prefer, it is below the direct debit settings.

https://myaccount.agl.com.au/accountsettings/billingandpayments

Cheers, Deepesh

Re: Monthly billing

Annoyed2024 — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 21:54:38 GMT

Good on you Manuela for posting and calling out AGLs cash grab and couching!

Re: Monthly billing

Rodnrob — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 21:00:05 GMT

I am really annoyed with AGL for 4 reasons:

1. Monthly billing is just a sneaky way to disguise the costs, and fluctuations will seem small.

2. They could have at least offered the option.....it should be an opt IN offer.

3. There is no easy way to opt out of the monthly billing....you need to log in & search.

4. There is no straightforward reply link or way to contact them on their web site, even after you log in!!!

Re: Monthly billing

Basil_AGL — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:13:01 GMT

Hey @Rodnrob,

Thanks for sharing your feedback, we really appreciate you taking the time to outline your concerns.

If monthly billing is not for you and you’d prefer to remain on quarterly billing, you can cancel it by following these steps in My Account.

Select your name in the top right corner, then 'Account Settings'
In the 'Billing and payments menu, go to 'Monthly billing' and select 'Edit'
Below your monthly billing service, select 'Cancel'.

Cheers, Basil

Re: Monthly billing

FrankF — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:40:27 GMT

What a total crock of an answer. The email I just received gave no indication at all that you could opt out of monthly billing. It was a deceptive email. I am totally considering of dumping AGL as my provider for false and deceptive practices.