\Warning this is a rant!
Well I guess you have all noticed this before but just in case you are as slow as me then note the date of your bill, note the date you got to pay by and note the date you got the bill.
Yes, you normally have about 7 days to get your payment to them! or you will get a penalty charge of £10 for a business customer or £7.50 if you are a residential customer.
For a business this means you need to get your credit card out and pay by phone as soon as it lands on your desk (OK so you can send a cheque but that could get there late). Most small businesses can't even get it on their computer system for up to a week because they are busy doing other things and have set times to do accounts. 30 day accounts are for the practical reason that it takes time to process and and time to pay.
Yes I know it's designed to force you into paying by Direct Debit but that's not a good thing if they are not equal payments as experience has shown that BT can get it badly wrong (They once tried over charging us by 200% but we got a credit note and a new bill). We as a company would always want to check the bill.
I have just got off the phone with BT about staying with them when we move early next year and they really want your business - shame the accounting hand does not consider helping the customer too!
Buyer beware!