I had to call my bank, because while I was away, it made, and then corrected, a banking error in my checking account. The problem was, when I checked my statement online, there was no explanation as to why this money was going in and out of my account. I found out what was going on only when I called and talked to a live person.

If your organization is contemplating a campaign to aggressively push automatic bill paying, here's my advice: Absolutely get the bills right.

Billing errors have long plagued certain industries, such as telecom. If your company in one of those industries, and it keeps making mistakes, customers are going to be unwilling to give up their paper bills. Sure, they can always view their bills online, but in this busy world, they can easily forget.

Also, carefully consider the implications of charging extra for the "privilege" of receiving a paper bill. Not all customers have computers or Internet access, particularly outside of the U.S.

As for me, I'll pay the penalty for the privilege of receiving my long-distance bill in the mail. I have the sneaking suspicion that, even with the extra charge, I'll still come out ahead.