No notice of price increase from Scottish Power

handful

I just had an email today to advise me that my Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 4 tarriff went up on 1st September. Can they do this? I knew prices were going up but surely they should have advised me before the effective date of increase and not nearly 3 weeks later??? I think the energy business runs in a parallel universe where courtesy and normal business rules don't apply!

KimYeovil

They may backdate it by up to three months. You have ten days to reject their new tariff and inform them you are switching. They then have to honour the old prices. If you don't switch, then, yes, they can backbill you the new prices. You are fortunate it is just three weeks!

This has been discussed a hundred times before.

(Make sure, of course, that they have used reasonable pro rata estimated readings for the changeover date and are not trying to overcharge you for consumption used before the change.)

MarkyMarkD

It's irrelevant how long in arrears they notify, because if you cancel within 10 days of notification (as Kim says) then you won't pay the new rates at all.

I have just cancelled with Scottish Power because of this increase, and I am well versed in how it all works!

handful

I see, sorry...I should have searched for this before posting.
Many thanks for the replies. I still think it's wrong though!

DonnaDoop

Im glad this was posted because I got bills in from them and it stated on the back (paper bill) that there had been price increases....but there is no indication of by how much!? I could easily check the new tariff against old bills, but should they not give you a detailed breakdown?

If anyone else is switching from Scottish Power can they please tell me who to and what the deal is? Ive checked online comparisons, but Im scared to jump incase I choose what looks like a good deal but turns out to be worse (as has happened to friends) Thanks x

MarkyMarkD

If you use your actual consumption in the comparison engines, you will not make the wrong choice.

Most people who make wrong choices use other methods - like entering monthly payments - which give them confusing advice.

The other problem is that prices can change after you agree to switch, but before your supply starts, meaning that you aren't aware of the price change. It's important to keep running the comparisons - say every three months - to see if things have changed.

brysiewysie

handful wrote: »

I see, sorry...I should have searched for this before posting.
Many thanks for the replies. I still think it's wrong though!

They can't let you know beforehand because it's market sensitive info. It's also impossible to let millions of customers know within days of the price increase because you have to have sufficient resources to answer the queries it generates.

It's a similar process to many other industries. For example mortgage and savings rate changes can be announced via the press rtaher than individual communication.