Penalty charge is an insult to injury

laurence schembri

Mar 11th 2010, 19:11

You honestly confuse Mr. Martinelli. Are you saying that we are not a developed country? This contradict many of you past writings. To prove how well developed we are some 2,600 had their E&W disconnected over the past two years, Banks have already re-possed close to 100 properties of late. If such action class one as a `developed country` then we are catching-up very quickly, we might even surpass the North Amercan continent.

J Martinelli

Mar 11th 2010, 15:23

Not only should 6% interest be charged on overdue accounts, but two successive missed payments should result in an automatic suspension of services and a hefty reconnection fee when payments are made.

That's how business is conducted in developed countries throughout the world. Try missing two mortgage payments and see how fast foreclosure procedures are commenced! Repossessing a house is possible, recovering used energy is not!

Joseph ( Joe ) Grima

Mar 11th 2010, 12:37

Tajjeb , my bank has been giving me 1% interest for more than a year now. ARMS charge 5% interest higher than the bank rate, probably to people who don't even own a bank account. Is this government for real?

Gerald Cassar

Mar 11th 2010, 12:12

It was no mistake at all. See the booklet that was written, corrected and nothing changed.
What happened is that the ARMS saw the foolishness of the matter, the stupidity rather, and when matters were drawn to its attention the government admitted and Dr. Austin Gatt had to realize that there was an anomaly and had to admit it but not in very loud words so that few people particularly the general public would not notice the comedy, rather the farce

alfred zammit

Mar 11th 2010, 11:52

I have already written to Arms re the 6% interest rate which sounds like an usuary rate considering as already said the bank interest rate.Apart from that I have a disputed amount which has been there for about a year and a half,Isettled the last amount in full,with 6per cent being claimed on that even though Enemalta/waterservices and now arms have not given me an answer on.
This is not political I can assure you but the least one deserves is a fast tackling of a problem and good service.

Peter Murray

Mar 11th 2010, 11:05

Dear Mr.Mallia,

You stae that ARMS have publically made their deferment payment terms clear to reconcile one's account ,i.e.45 days.Perhaps then you may be at liberty to explain why this is not made clear on the billing statement sent by ARMS?For this vital document id far from concise however,it is unequivocal in clearly stating in the top right hand corner of the statement when the bill is payable by-which is 15 days after the date of the invoice also clearly shown on the billing statement.ARMS should have a website called Confused.com

p.mallia

Mar 11th 2010, 10:31

Just to make a point to Mr. Buhagiar that the WSC (now ARMS) have made it public that the 45 day period still stands for payment terms. The interest, albeit originally meant to be charged after 15 days, has now been amended to be charged as from day 46 onwards.
All this was on different media lately and it was explained, at least to all who could understand, that the mistake was realized to have caused havoc and it was set right.

I still feel that 6% is high considering that the bank interest rates are so presently low, however I feel that having 45 days to pay without interest is fair enough, at least until one can budget a payment structure.

This should be reiterated by ARMS on local media (newspapers and TV) to set the people's mind at rest towards the matter, however this should come from ARMS and not myself.