E.ON - Is this fair?

SandC

Got my electricity and gas statement yesterday. Meter reader called round last week.

Have been paying £67 per month dual fuel. Statement has me £108.23 in credit. £67.59 for electricity and £53.72 for gas.

Another separately sent letter came with this bill, informing me that my direct debits are now going to increase to......................£127.00 per month!!!!!!

I phoned them and was informed that this was because they anticipate the winter bill will be bigger, they don't want me to not be paying enough, plus what with the prices going up and all.................

I refrained from giving the girl on the phone what for, bar asking why they think it's appropriate that even with a credit they see fit to virtually double my payments, why should I be paying in advance for something they think MIGHT happen???

Anyway, so I left it at that to think about.

But come on. Is this outrageous or what? Time to switch? Time to ditch the direct debits and have a bill instead? Why should coming on for £400 of my money be in their hands after the next three months instead of in MY bank account?

Thoughts anyone?

spiro

Best bet, work out how much you have used over the last 12 months (units not £), calculate what the bill for that 12 months would be at the new prices and divide by 12. That gives you about what you would expect to pay, they may add some to cover colder winter but at least you will see how far out they are.

espresso

Do some simple sums based on your annual usage and your unit prices. If you can show that this monthly figure is too high, they will reduce it. You can't say that it's outrageous until you have done this simple task!

SandC

Thanks all, yes I will do that. Although i don't have previous bills to refer to, I am sure I will find a way!

I actually told the lady on the phone I would put up with it for 3 months and review then.

Does anyone else pay this much? Single person, 2 bed end terrace, gas central heating and cooker (combi boiler approx. 18 months old). Notoriously 'tight' with electric.

SandC

Right well I decided to ring again as I really can't get my head around their maths here.

So I get a MUCH more helpful lady on the phone, agreed it sounded excessive, looked back at the past year's bills, worked out the difference including price increase and came out with..................

I should be paying £72 per month.

Yup, that's only £5 more than I am currently paying. She apologised and couldn't explain why they had ever come to the conclusion that £127 was the right amount.

Phew. I SO knew that was not right.