Ebill Alternatives

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paradoxsm

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#7243 30-Mar-2006 23:24

This little site has been a joy for me to use and was groundbreaking stuff in 1999, Is there any alternatives? even getting statements/bills delivered to email seems non-existent in NZ.

I loved the way it would just do all the gritty hard work for you, Alternatives are "direct debit" complete with it's $35 dishonour fees. or creditcards, lovely debt products they are.

WATCH, as New zealand head into the 1990's with Diesel powered engines pulling locomotives from Click-Clak railway museum, No direct link CBD-Airport on main city, Paper bills and cheques, Data limits on internet and other great news!

freitasm

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#31853 30-Mar-2006 23:32

If you don't know what paradoxsm is talking about: NZ Post to Shutdown eBill Service.

bcourtney

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#31863 31-Mar-2006 00:18

It's crazy isn't it? We complain so much about the state of broadband and internet access in general in this country and how we lag the rest of the developed world and yet for those companies out there that are attempting to make the most of the internet as it stands here and the services that can be provided through it, there is not the support. I think this is a real shame, like you paradoxsm i used the ebill site religiously for the same reasons.

There are a million home internet users in this country and i imagine 95% of those are using it to 1% of its potential. I have to agree that we are too far behind in terms of broadband speed etc, but you sometimes have to wonder what the point of pushing ahead with upgrading will do in a country that lacks the mindset to grasp new technology and use it at its full potential.

Good on NZ Post for at least giving it a try, and good on all those companies that supported it while it lasted. Looks like i'll be going back to standing in line and paying in person at an NZ Psot shop like all the plebs...

bcourtney

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#32077 3-Apr-2006 12:14

From the Stuff website today

*sigh*...

sbiddle

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#32081 3-Apr-2006 12:33

What's interesting was that Telecom got so scared of the product once it launched they spent a lot of money developing their own competing product which did the same thing and also focussed on micropayments however after developing it the product never saw the light of day. Telecom believed the product was great and that micropayments for goods would be the way of the future, hence Telecom wanting to get in and also offer it over mobile phones. Just imagine the revenues for them if they were even taking a 1% cut of every micropayment.

It's just a shame that a concept that was so cool simply hasn't happened, the idea of being able to stand next to a coke machine or even in the supermarket with a Bluetooth phone and paying for goods was very cool. The Japanese are now putting RFID tags into phones for micropayments.

paradoxsm

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#32084 3-Apr-2006 13:02

The reason it "failed" was lack of marketing, had they put one postcard in everyones mailbox saying "Why stuff your mailbox with paper... Do it online" it would have been a roaring success, I hope someone creates something which will email bills out abut allow one online area to check what you owe, when you owe it and allow you to pay it. Maybe telecom will finally realease this product.

Evryone I told about it had no idea what it was,, It didn't need further investments, the site was old but perfectly functional even by todays standards.

I'm gutted it's gone,
Good on NZpost for trying it but as per usual the black-hole money eating department, marketing of a company lets it down once again..

jpwise

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#32085 3-Apr-2006 13:19

I knew of the ebill system, but can't say I've ever used it. Personally I tend to prefer direct debits & creditcards. If you can manage them it's alot easier. If you can't however it's all too easy to get yourself in debt.

Jp.

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freitasm

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#32108 3-Apr-2006 16:50

Could be a worst time, personally. I have almost all my accounts going through eBill (except one credit card), and now this happens at the same... I will try changemyaddress.co.nz to see if it works - another NZ Post service (better use it before they decide to cut it too).

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Melimalle

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#32136 3-Apr-2006 19:42

Damn my timing. I didn't even know about this until I heard it was shutting down!

paradoxsm

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#32138 3-Apr-2006 19:47

That's probably quite typical of most of NZ,
It was never promoted properly, and 7 years ago it was something rather ahead of it's time,
now it's quite relevant and useful as there are more "billers" you might be tied in with and there are FAR more people on the net than there were in 1999. I wonder if someone is looking to create an alternative? it WOULD succeed now.

bcourtney

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#32139 3-Apr-2006 19:57

maybe we could petition NZ Post to keep the service going. I really don't understand why they haven't done a big push in terms of marketing ebill on a more continuous basis. Instead they are pushing more and more to pay your bills at your local postshop with little cards that you collect stamps on for every bill paid to go in the draw for prizes (and have been pushing this for at least a year or so in the manner that they do now).

If only this sort of incentive had been provided to paying on ebill!!