11029 paying Enel

If you already have an account with Banca delle Marche probably the easiest thing would be to set up a direct debit - instructions about how to do this should have been included with the bill you received along with the form you need to fill in. Although resident, we pay ENEL this way and have never had a problem (touch wood!).
If you look at previous posts, of which there have been many, it seems that ENEL do not accept payment via foreign debit or credit cards. Not sure about Euro cheques. Some non-resident forum members pay via bank transfer (horrendously expensive ie in effect adds £15+ to each bill) others have opened a Visa Electron account (available via the PO in Italy) and I think have successfully paid this way. So in short I think if you already have an Italian bank account it is much much simpler just to start a direct debit and forget about it. You can still be sent a paper bill or view your bills online.

You could always set up a direct debit with Enel via Banca Marche. Probably that is the best way to go. Be a little careful though, as Enel seem to have got it into their heads to estimate readings recently, despite their ultra modern remotely read meters. Ours was read remotely 03/11 and an estimated bill was sent as of 08/11. Difference E 160 for 5 days.

First I would register with Enel online and see if your Bancomat card works I have a feeling it will.

Also Charles Phillips suggested getting a postepay card from [url=http://www.poste.it]Poste Italiane - Home page[/url] which acts as an intermediary with your UK credit card. [url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/cost-living-utility-services/10707-postepay-visa-paypal.html[/url] Not easy though to find the application form for the cards so perhaps someone here can help.

Maybe someone with experience will know whether they will take payment over the phone from the UK on the number Carole B gave here recently - +390230172011 It is not a premium rate number.

[quote=Sally Donaldson;103990]First I would register with Enel online and see if your Bancomat card works I have a feeling it will.
[/quote]

Sally, I would be surprised if the Banca delle Marche bancomat card can be used to pay ENEL online - it does not have the usual 16 digit number nor does it have the 3 digit security code. It can only be used by inserting a 5 digit PIN number, I may be wrong but as such, I doubt it could be used in this way.

The postepay card described by Charles is a Visa Electron card issued by the Italian PO - it is also available in the UK but don't know who issues it there. To get one in Italy you have to go into a PO and produce ID, CF etc. so it must be done in person.

Visa Electron is very difficult to obtain here in the UK Anne. More and more banks are stopping them. Charles seemed to think postepay was the best way to pay Enel bills pronto.

Jonstir, if your BM account is in Gualdo, try and speak to Samuela whose English is excellent, otherwise their International dept on 0039 0731 539479. Rita in International also speaks English, so 1 or the other should be able to help you out.

[quote=Sally Donaldson;103994]Visa Electron is very difficult to obtain here in the UK Anne. More and more banks are stopping them. Charles seemed to think postepay was the best way to pay Enel bills pronto.[/quote]

Sally, I have a postepay card issued by the Italian Post Office - it is a Visa Electron card and can ONLY be issued in person so until Jonstir is back in Italy it is unfortunately not really an option for him. Once he is here it only takes a matter of minutes to open an account and then yes, certainly it can be used to pay ENEL.

[quote=Geotherm;103995]Jonstir, if your BM account is in Gualdo, try and speak to Samuela whose English is excellent, otherwise their International dept on 0039 0731 539479. Rita in International also speaks English, so 1 or the other should be able to help you out.[/quote]

I totally agree with you Geotherm.........If ever british banks should be looking for a refresher course on [COLOR=royalblue]'how to deal with customers'[/COLOR], Samuela in Gualdo should be sent over there, a breath of fresh air, I was astonished by just how good she was the first time I met with her !:yes:

Sorry Anne. I missed the last sentence in your second last post. Useful to have too for Ryanair card charges I would imagine.

Thanks for your speedy and useful responses.
Think I will go the bank mandate route for now and see what charges arise from BDM.
As I am not in Italy for a while I may be able to sort out with Samuela in Gualdo (thanks to Geotherm in particular).
May then move to Visa Electron if costs are excessive.

[quote=Sally Donaldson;103999]Sorry Anne. I missed the last sentence in your second last post. Useful to have too for Ryanair card charges I would imagine.[/quote]

No problem, it's easily done and yes it is great for R'air fares (the only thing we use it for) as it saves a fortune as no card charges!

Can you pay over the phone with a UK card, Anne, do you know??? That still could be an option for Jonstir.

We have finally arranged a direct debit on our UK credit card. This has now worked well for two bills and gives tremendous peace of mind.

However, no idea how it is arranged as our builder did it for us (he was paying it for us at the post office before this). It is good to now be independent now though.

Given all the problems with a visa credit card, anyone tried to pay ENEL on line with an electron card??

[quote=Sally Donaldson;104008]Can you pay over the phone with a UK card, Anne, do you know??? That still could be an option for Jonstir.[/quote]

Paying over the phone is not listed as a payment option on the ENEL bills so I suspect it is not an option.

[quote=Flyingpigs;104016]
However, no idea how it is arranged as our builder did it for us (he was paying it for us at the post office before this). It is good to now be independent now though.[/quote]

When we first opened our contract with ENEL, many years ago, in amongst all the contractual documents they sent there was a form to start DD via a bank account and another to start a DD via a credit card. Although this was a number of years ago if you were to contact ENEL they may still be able to send such a form out - but probably worth checking whether they did include one with all the contract bits and pieces.

dd via uk credit card would be easiest avoiding Italian banking system altogether.
Still waiting for the contract from Enel and will let you all know if the option is included.

[quote=Flyingpigs;104016]We have finally arranged a direct debit on our UK credit card. This has now worked well for two bills and gives tremendous peace of mind..[/quote]

I filled in a form to start paying by direct debit on my credit card but it was returned, stating it was incomplete. Most of the form is self explanatory. However, it's the signature part I'm not sure about and this is probably where I went wrong.
See the attached example. What exactly shouild I be entering in the first few parts, before the signature? Is it the date? If so, what format should it be in?
I'm assuming that one signature is for debit authorization, the other to say I accept the conditions etc.on the other page?

Only a suggestion - could it be place and date? For example, London, the 28th November 2008.

We didn't do our's ourselves.

Yep, it is for place and date of signing as you sugggested, this is a common finding on Italian forms

instead of 'Li' you sometimes see 'Il' - both refer to the date and the other gap is for place.

Thanks. I'll try that and see what happens.