Dallas Water now charges a convenience fee?
Posted by imamakeyoucry@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 34 comments
Wtf? I’ve tried paying via my bank account too and it still wants to charge me a convenience fee.
I’ve tried calling the City of Dallas, but every time the call drops so I emailed them waiting for a response.
I can understand if they don’t want to pay credit card fees. But this payment system is what they’ve selected so at least waive the charges for payments made via bank account. We shouldn’t have to go back 40 years ago and pay via check in the mail.
Sounds like they are trying to pass along more of their bill from the payment system to the consumer. Fuck that dude.
cat_headstand@reddit
I just ordered some checks so that I can pay my car registration. I'm not paying a convenience fee or turning over my first born on their new Registration site. So I will just mail them cuz that's more convenient to me.
sealclubberfan@reddit
Read their frequently asked questions......
Yes. All customers must re-enroll in AutoPay beginning May 18. Due to changes in the third-party provider and banking security requirements, previous account credentials and payment methods including AutoPay did not transfer. You can enroll in AutoPay from the account’s preferences section. You can set up FREE AutoPay using the eCheck option (with your bank’s routing and account numbers).
Yes, but effective May 18, a 3.15% convenience fee paid directly to the payment processor will be added to payments made with a credit card or debit card. You can enroll in AutoPay from the account’s Preferences section. You can set up FREE AutoPay using the eCheck option (with your bank’s routing and account numbers).
fuzznutz77@reddit
I set up with my bank account, not debit card, and was charged the fee. Wondering if it’s because I manually paid.
If they keep this shit up, I will pay with my card for the points.
electricgotswitched@reddit
Yes as far as what happened to me. I am apparently overdue so was gonna manually pay after setting up auto. Was going to charge me the fee.
Countachlpsx@reddit
If it’s not autopay it’s got a fee
majora2007@reddit
Autopay with CC has the 3.5% fee.
Countachlpsx@reddit
Right. Sorry meant with accounts
matt_havener@reddit
Matches my experience. I'm not sure why we'd expect the city (or anyone) to eat credit card company fees.
therealradberry@reddit
It's a cost of doing business. Just like company insurance or anything else companies have to buy to do business
patmorgan235@reddit
Why should people paying with eCheck pay 3% more because you want to autopay with a credit card?
therealradberry@reddit
Why should should anyone be charged a fee?
sealclubberfan@reddit
How do you think credit card companies make their money?
therealradberry@reddit
By fees paid by those they do business with. Duh. And businesses roll those into their costs. It's not extra. It's a cost of wanting customers. Walmart doesn't charge you credit card fees. T-Mobile doesn't charge you credit card fees. Atmos Energy doesn't charge credit card fees. My electric company doesn't charge credit card fees and in fact gives you a discount if you set up on auto-pay. So no one should be charged a convenience fee
DonkeeJote@reddit
None of the entities you mentioned are governmental. They simply spread the fee charges across their entire pricing model.
And to further the difference, those companies are not permitted by state law to include a surcharge for using a credit card, but governent entities are specific carve-out, ideally to make sure that people who don't use credit cards for payment are not burdened.
sealclubberfan@reddit
Ok, so don't pay then?
DonkeeJote@reddit
No it's not like all other businesses. It's the government.
matchstick64@reddit
I just read that today too. I think I'm going to start mailing them checks. It'll still be cheaper than the 3.15%.
ladybump82@reddit
This is what I’ll be doing too.
thumpcbd@reddit
And it will cost them more money to process.
lgoodat@reddit
Same
woodstock9999@reddit
Got this email from our CP earlier today:
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) is currently transitioning to a new online payment platform called DallasGo. During this transition, customers may experience changes when accessing their accounts, including the need to create a new login, link updated account information, and re-establish AutoPay settings.
We understand many residents are experiencing difficulties with account setup, including delayed activation codes and confusion regarding payment methods. DWU is currently handling a high volume of calls and customer questions, and we appreciate your patience as improvements continue to be made to the system.
Please note:
• DWU will not assess late fees or initiate service disconnections related to account setup delays during this transition period.
• Customers enrolled in AutoPay previously must re-enroll through the new DallasGo system.
• Customers using AutoPay will receive an advance email notification with the bill amount before any payment is drafted. Customers may review or stop a payment prior to the draft date if needed.
For residents who do not wish to pay online or via AutoPay, several no-fee payment options remain available:
• AutoPay using eCheck (bank routing and account number)
• Pay by mail with a check or money order
• Make an in-person payment at Dallas City Hall
• Visit authorized payment stations throughout the city
Mail payments to:
City of Dallas
City Hall, 2D South
Dallas, TX 75277
Customers may also place check or money order payments in the secure drop box located outside Dallas City Hall between Young Street and Canton Street.
Please note that online credit card payments and one-time payments made through DallasGo or the automated phone system are now subject to a 3.15% convenience fee charged directly by the payment processor.
If you did not receive your activation code or need assistance accessing your account, please contact DWU Customer Service at 214-651-1441 or email DallasGo@dallas.gov for assistance.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as DWU works through this transition and continues improving the customer payment experience.
woodstock9999@reddit
I used to pay with a CC but do not want to pay the fee which I will gripe about but so many companies now charge fee for CC. Charging a fee for ACH is ridiculous though. I am going to use my bank bill pay which I use for anyone who charges a fee for CC payment. I created my new account yesterday and sent a test payment of $5. I do not think they can charge a fee when you are "pushing" the payment form your bank to a payee and have specified the amount vs autopay where they have your account and routing number and pull the amount they deem what you owe and can also tack on a fee.
FlightyTwilighty@reddit
The only way to pay online without a fee is to sign up for AutoPay from a bank account.
That said, my city councilperson's office got an earful from me this morning about this exact same issue.
DonkeeJote@reddit
What an awful way to treat a public servant.
Patient_Ant_3808@reddit
I cancelled auto pay after they "misread" the meter and auto charged me $5000 and over drew my account that I then had to pay all the fees for, and spend probably 10 hours on the pgone to get them to send someone out to reread the meter. Their convenience fee is bs.
DonkeeJote@reddit
Did you not get the invoice email that goes out weeks before the autopay?
mixem143@reddit
This is exactly why I refuse to auto-pay any bills that are variable and rely on someone to read a meter. A misplaced decimal is all it takes to screw up a bank/credit account.
Ok_Foundation2125@reddit
$5000!!!! Horrible! Reminds me of how atmos “estimates” bills to be $400+ what they should be
Jackieray2light@reddit
The way Dallas keeps changing it's water payment system makes me think that our city manager is shopping around for the biggest bribes.
Typical_Brilliant_40@reddit
I wonder this as well, I set up autopay and did an echeck since my previous autopay transitioned due to the payment servicer change. Paying for the overdue payment — due to lack of autopay being during the blackout period— with echeck it charged me the convenience fee
sealclubberfan@reddit
Get away from the ledge.....
In the biggest letters possible on the webpage:
All DWU Customers: There will be no late fees or water service disconnections during the transition period
OPXur@reddit
These mother f******.
OPXur@reddit
Lets all start paying in person, in nickels, dimes, and pennies.
OPXur@reddit
I'm thinking 1 hour before they close, lets pile 100+ people in their building to manually pay. I'll bring some ropes and poles and we can queue in line like a Disney ride.