A sponsored feature by GraceKennedy Money Services

IN TODAY'S fast-paced world of deadlines and demands, doing simple things like paying bills can be a hassle as well as expensive. Driving around from one place to the next to make payments for utilities and other things, such as insurance and school fees, is not just time consuming, but burns very expensive fuel.

According to Michael McNaughton, assistant vice-president for product development at GraceKennedy Money Services, the introduction of Bill Express was in response to customers who wanted a one-stop shop.

"Customers of Western Union and FX Trader told us they wanted to be able to pay their bills in one place rather than collecting their funds and going to several other places," McNaughton explains. "Bill Express collects not just for utility companies, but also for a whole range of billing companies," he adds.

Enhanced by technology

In addition to saving time, McNaughton says people who use Bill Express also save money. He explains that the services offered at the bill-payment place are enhanced by the technology the company uses, and he argues that this is where the true savings can be realised.

"Persons often get their bills after the due date, but if you come to Bill Express, we can check all your utility bills, print your balances and you can pay them then and there rather than making several trips to pay bills every month."

Energy consultant Dr Raymond Wright agrees that it costs more to pay bills at multiple locations. He suggests that people manage their driving habits and do things like pay bills in one place to cut back on fuel. "You can save between 15 and 20 per cent on petrol by simply managing your driving time and planning your routine.

That means that if you spend $2,000 per week on gas, you can save up to $400 every week. And you can do it without any major impact on your lifestyle," Wright explains.

"If everyone did that, imagine the impact on the national budget," he adds.

The former group managing director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica contends that the country could save millions of US dollars if people cut the amount they spend on petrol.

Accepts other payments

Apart from accepting payments for utility companies, McNaughton says Bill Express also collects insurance premiums, payments for student loans, mortgages for National Housing Trust and school fees for some preparatory and secondary institutions.

"We also sell top-ups for our major mobile providers and at select locations we facilitate the collection of packages on behalf of DHL," he adds.

The GraceKennedy Money Services executive says there's also the added benefit of accessibility. He discloses that most of their services can be accessed at more than 230 locations islandwide.

"We're very selective about the persons who offer our service as agents. We place a lot of emphasis on training as well as the look and feel of the location," McNaughton states.

"You will never go to a Bill Express and stand outside and pass something through the window to pay your bill. We are very sensitive to the customer experience," he declares.

In addition to its network of locations across Jamaica, Bill Express has exported its services to other Caribbean territories based on customer demand. Bill Express is offered in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, St Lucia, Dominica and Grenada.