Powertime Android app

[Magandroid]

Hi All

I'd like to know if anyone has ever used the Powertime Android application (or even using Powertime in general) to buy electricity online and what your experience has been, whether good or bad?

Thanks

 

[Domino ZA]

I have been using powertime for over a year and I never had any problems with powertime. Once you made payment you get your token instantly. Highly recommended!

Sent from my GT-P7100 using MyBroadband Android App

 

[mercurial]

Speak to xrapidx.

 

[ColinR]

I started using Powertime in June 2010 - and have been using them since. Not a single hassle.

 

[xrapidx]

I've had two hassles and stopped using them because of it.

The first one in March - bought R500's electricity, and they issued two vouchers and charged me R1,000 - on requesting a refund for the second one I was told its not possible. They apparently found some bug in the system and fixed it.

Then in May when I tried again I got some nonsensical error message, and my account was charged again with 2x R500 - and no voucher were issued - I had to drive to the BP to buy electricity. .. the 2x R500 was refunded... but unfortunately the hassle is not worth the convenience, I'd rather drive 1km to BP and not pay their 'service' fee.

 

[Magandroid]

Thanks for all your responses. It's just that the place I usually purchase my electricity from is forever offline and it can take days for them to go online again. The last time I finally managed to purchase electricity from them with 0.3 units left and I always try and buy well before I run out. Maybe I'll try the app and at the first sign of trouble then I'll abandon it.

 

[xrapidx]

It might just be my luck tends to happen a lot to me.

Just be aware that if you're paying by credit card they do take a % for the transaction fee (actually not sure if this is legal, but its irrelevant to me).

 

[Magandroid]

It might just be my luck tends to happen a lot to me.

Just be aware that if you're paying by credit card they do take a % for the transaction fee (actually not sure if this is legal, but its irrelevant to me).

That's strange though because according to their internet site they don't charge you anything. The following was taken from their faq page:
https://www.powertime.co.za/faq.html

Q: How much does it cost to use the Powertime Service?

R: Exactly Zero. Powertime does not charge any fee to the customer and gets remunerated by the Utility or Municipality. We intend to keep it that way. However, for certain Gauteng municipalities specific charge for credit card transaction fees may apply.

... and I fall under City of Cape Town, so there should not be any charges, but anyway, thanks for your response. I'll do some further investigating.

 

[xrapidx]

Here is my question to them, and I am in Cape Town:

Hi There

Just a query - why was R482.50 electricity issued when R500 was purchased?

Many Thanks

Dear Powertime Customer,

You will notice you receive two receipts, one for the token and another for the credit card fee. This is why you did not receive the full R500. The credit card fee of 3.5% (incl. VAT) is a fixed percentage of the transaction. Powertime incurs this cost when switching a credit card transaction and we are only recovering our cost.

 

[Magandroid]

Hi xrapidx
As far as I know (and I stand under correction here) is that if a merchant uses a particular bank's credit card facility then that is a contract between the merchant and the bank. The merchant pays the bank a "service" for using that facility and is not supposed to pass on that cost to the consumer. And I have been told that if a merchant does this then they must be reported to the relevant bank.
I think I'll email them with a few queries and hear what they have to say, but thanks for your input.

 

[warchylde]

Can't remember how long I have been using (way more than a year) app works. No issues