Just received my Gas Bill from British Gas.

[David Hansen]

On Wed, 5 Mar 2008 17:01:19 GMT someone who may be Roger wrote this:-

Excellent, more personal abuse. Do keep it up.

The small amount of money they made last year was given to a couple of charities.

However, you have not answered the point I made.

[Mark]

That's fine for the people who can afford it but not for those who cannot.

M.

[Roger]

The message from David Hansen contains these words:

Fact. characterising businesses as "customer-hating" belongs in the same fantasy world as a moon made of cheese.

You mean the paragraph which starts;

"If those not being fooled into opening their bank accounts to customer-hating organisations are in some way less desirable ..."

Which is a mishmash of insults and false premise which I did address but your creative editing means I have to repeat myself.

"Ebico must make its money by appealing to the guilty consciences of those who don't need to seek out a supplier that won't vary the costs according to the expense its customers cause it."

[David Hansen]

On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:37:09 GMT someone who may be Roger wrote this:-

I note that you have still failed to answer the point I made. If those not being fooled into opening their bank accounts to customer-hating organisations are in some way less desirable as customers then Ebico would not have been able to trade for the best part of a decade. In other words Ebico would have gone out of business by now with massive debts.

It is clear that you are unlikely to answer this point. You may have the last word if you wish.

[Roger]

The message from David Hansen contains these words:

There you go again with your pack of lies.

I might not have answered the point to your satisfaction but answered it I did.

It is clear that you are blind to reason.

1. Customer hating organisations exist only in your fantasy world.

1. People who have direct debits are not fools which is more than can be said for idiots that think they are.

2. From a commercial point of view the desirable customers are the ones who allow an organisation to make the most profit from them for the least effort.

1. Desirability is a two way process. The sensible customer opts for the organisation that gives the mix of cost and service that best suits him or her.

2. It is perfectly possible for Ebico to survive if it pitches its prices between the actual cost of servicing high demand customers and the actual cost of servicing low demand customers providing it can con enough low demand customers into paying more for services they could easily get more cheaply elsewhere. High demand customers will naturally be attracted to a business that offers them a better deal but the only low demand customers they get are those who are making a socialist gesture, not an economic judgement.

[Dave Liquorice]

Incorrect. I have two Equipower accounts purely for economic reasons. I only pay for electricity I use, which is very little. Unlike other companies there is no standing charge (direct or hidden in the first X units) any standing charge would more or less double the bills.

[Roger]

The message from "Dave Liquorice" contains these words:

There is always the exception but I am afraid you don't fit my definition of a desirable customer. :-) Your low demand for electricity make you a high demand customer in the cost/benefit equation. Any supply has a base cost so you are being subsidised by those who are attracted to the company but the socialist ethos.

The company claims it is expanding but attracting over *25,000* customers in 10 years is a pretty poor show when there are 20 million or more households in the UK. On second thoughts that might be why the company has survived. There must be a lot more than 25,000 serial defaulters on prepayment meters out there and if they all climbed aboard the company would surely sink.

[Andy Hall]

Oh dear.

Have you looked at how much you are contributing to the NHS for the little that you receive? If the government were not in the middle of the financial equation, value for money could be enhanced considerably.

[Mark]

Oh dear (too) ;-)

If the your above proposal came true do you really think the government would reduce taxes by the actual amount "saved"? They would find some way of increasing the overall level of taxation instead IMHO.

On the value for money point I sincerely doubt this would improve either. Any "savings" made would be passed onto shareholders and not the customers.

Then the government would have to set a means tested scheme to fund people who can't afford the cost and that who knows how much that would cost to run. Look at the ridiculous tax credit system for an example.

If we had a fully private healthcare system then I fear that many would not be able to afford treatment. Look at the system now where private health plans have so many exclusions you need to be a lawyer to understand them. And you better forget it if you've ever been ill because the premium loading goes through the roof (if you can get cover at all).

No, I'd rather stick with the NHS thank you.

M.

[Derek Geldard]

"As Britain?s longest standing not-for-profit group of independent hospitals, Nuffield Hospitals is committed to providing healthcare excellence that is accessible and affordable to as many people as possible."

"As a provident association, BUPA does not have shareholders and reinvests its surpluses into improved health and care facilities such as medical equipment, the latest technology and buildings"

Touché ...

The poor need food better than they need medicine but they don't starve without the rest of us having to put up with paying 22% (yes I pay 22% !) of their income for a "National Food Service", with a cart parking down the end of every street once a day dispensing lumpy grey slop from open 50 gallon drums.

Not the case.

Then it appears concern about actual health or treatment issues proper is a low priority for you.

What about the rest of us ?

DG