Changing the credit card on file for auto-pay produces unpredictable results

Cox's billing system has an online component where you can specify the credit card for auto payment.

Apparently this online system interfaces with a batch billing system which does not refresh on a timely basis.  In my case, this resulted in charges being made to a

credit card account which I had deleted TWELVE DAYS EARLIER.

To get Cox to credit to the old incorrect account, I had to then call up and pay TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE.  This is because they needed to show "The Back Office" that there was in fact a credit balance on my account before they could reverse the charge on the inccorectly used credit card.  This is ridiculous.

After 20 days of waiting for a credit from Cox, I gave up and disputed the charge with my bank.

If you want the convenience of paying with a charge card, I would advise: DO NOT KEEP AN AUTO-PAY CREDIT CARD ON FILE WITH COX.

Instead, log on each month and do a manual payment to the card of your choice.  The Cox system is unpredictable as the online functions showing the credit card to be charged are out of sync with the system which actually makes the charges.

Out of 12 utilities / vendors with which I have auto pay, all of them immediately made my credit card change....all except Cox.

Dish was able to handle the change the next day when my billing cycle required payment.