Most consumers have no problem paying their bills on time, but the time it takes to make a billing inquiry could dissuade them from making timely payments – especially if they have to deal with a seemingly endless queue each time.
If you’re trying to balance work and home life with pressing financial obligations like most consumers, feel free to skip the queue. Here’s how:
Do a quick checkout – There are major retailers who offer a quick checkout option, which helps you reduce checkout time dramatically. This option typically lets you book a “quick checkout” slot over the Internet, and booking is often done on a first come, first serve basis. You may also have to pay a nominal fee in order to book the time slot of your choice. You will then receive a unique number via email or SMS, which you can present at the corresponding checkout counter upon billing and payment.
Opt for online bill payment – This option allows you to check bill online and settle any outstanding balance anywhere, anytime – even from the comfort of your own home. If your service provider or retailer offers online bill payments, take advantage of it. Often they will require you to sign up or register for an account. This lets them send you bills and receipts via email, as well as send you updates on the status of your payment through SMS. Common payment methods include credit, debit, and PayPal.
Skip log in – Likewise, there are retailers and service providers who allow you to make online billing inquiries and payments without requiring you to log into an account. All you need to do is provide them with personal details pertinent to your account and choose the payment method that works best for you.
Take advantage of self-service options – Not sure if your service provider or retailer offers online bill inquiry and payment? Explore their self-service options.You might come across an option that lets you sort out billing inquiries and payments on your own.
Ask to speak with a live agent – There are companies that allow you to make inquiries and settle your balance using your home phone. You can bypass the call center queue and automated answering system by asking to speak with a live agent. You can also call their sales department directly.
Make use of independent online pre-order and payment services – There are services that enable you to place orders and make cashless online payments. These apps create shorter queues and faster fulfillment times. Skip, a company based in Australia offers this type of service. The catch? The retailer or service provider of your choice should have a partnership with these companies.
The advantages of skipping the billing inquiry queue
The advantages are obvious – you get to bypass the system and make timely payments so you won’t have to discard your items, or worse, face penalties for settling your balance late. Skipping the queue also comes in handy during peak hours or season.
But consumers aren’t the only ones who stand to benefit from shorter queues and reduced checkout time. Businesses can also gain from it, as it lowers the number of canceled transactions and shortens fulfillment time. It also helps them improve cash flow.
