High Energy Bill - Possible Problem

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  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,105 Forumite
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    Picking up on the actual cost unit. When the new supply was put did she contact the supplier herself - its possible that she's on a standard (ie expensive) tariff.
    Never pay on an estimated bill
  • matelodave
    matelodave Posts: 8,608 Forumite
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    Get her to take a picture of her meter and the cabling to the consumer unit to make sure it's her one. It's easy to do with mobile phones & Whatsapp.
    You can then talk her through it - just be logical and take it step by step and make sure that she checks one thing at a time
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
  • Fergie76
    Fergie76 Posts: 2,293 Forumite
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    Robin9 wrote: »
    Picking up on the actual cost unit. When the new supply was put did she contact the supplier herself - its possible that she's on a standard (ie expensive) tariff.

    No, as she never knew how to take a meter reading then. The Letting Agent gave us a start reading and for two days her bill was £46, so when I phoned the energy company today, they wrote off the two days and took the start reading as the first reading from the meter.

    I suspect she will be on the expensive standard rate, however, I still don't think it should be this high.

    This is a breakdown of her bill:

    28 Nov - 30 Nov - Start 276 End 528 KWh 252 Rate 18.26p Cost £46.03
    30 Nov - 3 Dec - Start 528 End 576 KWh 48 Rate 18.26p Cost £8.77
    3 Dec - 29 Dec - Start 576 End 1110 KWh 534 Rate 18.26p Cost £97.51
    29 Dec - 31 Dec - Start 1110 End 1159 KWh 49 Rate 15.437p Cost £7.56

    Standing Charge 33 days = £4.62

    Total (inc 5% vat) = £172.70
  • Fergie76
    Fergie76 Posts: 2,293 Forumite
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    matelodave wrote: »
    Get her to take a picture of her meter and the cabling to the consumer unit to make sure it's her one. It's easy to do with mobile phones & Whatsapp.
    You can then talk her through it - just be logical and take it step by step and make sure that she checks one thing at a time

    They have written her house number on the fuse board, so assuming they have done this correctly, she has the right board.
  • matelodave
    matelodave Posts: 8,608 Forumite
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    dont assume - check & confirm. Do not let others take over. Teach her to check stuff herself
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,105 Forumite
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    Fergie76 wrote: »

    28 Nov - 30 Nov - Start 276 End 528 KWh 252 Rate 18.26p Cost £46.03
    30 Nov - 3 Dec - Start 528 End 576 KWh 48 Rate 18.26p Cost £8.77
    3 Dec - 29 Dec - Start 576 End 1110 KWh 534 Rate 18.26p Cost £97.51
    29 Dec - 31 Dec - Start 1110 End 1159 KWh 49 Rate 15.437p Cost £7.56

    Standing Charge 33 days = £4.62

    Total (inc 5% vat) = £172.70


    Who is the supplier and what is the tariff.
    Never pay on an estimated bill
  • Fergie76
    Fergie76 Posts: 2,293 Forumite
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    Robin9 wrote: »
    Who is the supplier and what is the tariff.

    Spark Energy, not sure what tariff, assuming it is just the standard as this is her first bill.
  • Fergie76
    Fergie76 Posts: 2,293 Forumite
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    matelodave wrote: »
    dont assume - check & confirm. Do not let others take over. Teach her to check stuff herself

    Yes, I know, but it is difficult living 550 miles away from her and by the time she gets home from it is dark and she works weekends when I'm off.

    This will be a good learning experience for her.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,105 Forumite
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    It's good that she has raised these issue(s) at a very early stage - too many leave it a couple of years.
    Never pay on an estimated bill
  • matelodave
    matelodave Posts: 8,608 Forumite
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    Over the years I've remotely talked my daughters through fixing washing machines, replacing fuses, rewiring lights etc through to changing points and headlights on cars (shows how old they are) and the same for both of my sons in law. I still get phone calls and they are both in their mid forties

    It helps them learn a lot faster than if you go and do it for them.
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
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