2008 is a year about taking big leaps, big changes, big decisions.
To that end, I have taken the full plunge and enlisted in auto-pay for ConEd, Verizon and Time Warner Cable. This coupled with my direct deposit from work, means that I am entrusting a system of computers to correctly monitor the ebb and flow of my financial status. The pro is that I will never be late with a bill again, the con is that I will never know how much dough I’ve got in my bank account at one time. And, of course, I am trusting machines not to make mistakes. Sure, I can always cry foul at a deduction that seems unreasonable, but what are the chances I’ll ever win such a fight? Or even catch such a mistake? I liken this to a fiscal rhythm method. For now, it feels fantastic.
My grandfather was finally convinced to try auto pay sometime in the late 80s. He might well have been the last holdout in all of Europe. When I came here, I couldn’t believe Americans were still using checks to pay for most things. Oh well, now that gas prices resemble European prices ca. 1990, it’s nice to see the banking is following suit.
I’ve struggled with the same decision, for all the same reasons– yet still haven’t made the move. The convenience factor and lessened mailbox clutter (not to mention fewer dead tress) are attractive benefits, but otherwise it feels like I’m giving in to further corporate assimilation.
The truth is, I rarely examine the mailed statements I get… most of them (Verizon!) are inscrutable anyway. So it’s not like I’m losing detailed oversight. On the other hand, if it’s all-electronic, I am sure I will NEVER bother to look at any itemized billing. Which, I suspect, is what the Man is counting on.
All that aside, if I can avoid ever having to interact with Time Warner Cable’s user-UN-friendly online payment process again, I could put up with a phony surcharge or two.