Atlantic price increase

bootman

I get my rebate each year with no problem at all. I get a letter saying how much and when to expect it.

rubytwilight

martinjrb wrote: »

I have been away with work for a couple of days and just returned tp the forum. I can see I have some chasing to do to get my rebate. Out of interest who did you email and have you heard anything yet?

Once my rebate was not sent and I contacted Atlantic by phone, the customer service are really pretty helpful. I dont know the email but the phone number is 0800 912 2291

HTH

Kufu

It appears from the as yet anecdotal experiences of many on this board just lately that there is some evidence that the customer (and not for the first time), has been taken for a ride when suppliers have applied these price increases particularly over the last couple of years.

The point made earlier about the fractional sums involved is well taken when measured against the number of people who being well informed, actually complain and have their bills adjusted but when as an another poster was told by a CS agent that it was "industry practice to apply estimated readings when calculating bills following a price increase" when set against the industry and population as a whole it is not difficult to see why their profits continue to rise whilst everyone else struggles to pay their over inflated energy prices.

I am an Atlantic customer myself and received a letter informing me of these increases in October, and whilst I too have had little to complain about in terms of their customer service which has otherwise been very good over the last couple of years, I will certainly be taking them to task regarding attempts to backdate the increase to August, last.

Furthermore, and as suggested above I myself will be following it up with a letter of my own about these concerns to Lord Mogg, The Energy Minister, himself, Watchdog, and anyone else who may be interested and would encourage others to do the same.

It certainly highlights the value of Forum communities like this and as a relative newcomer I would like to thank everyone out there who takes the trouble to keep the rest of us suitably and reliably informed.
:T :T :T

After all knowledge is power and the longer they keep us in the dark the more they can get away with overcharging us for the power!;)

brig001

We are with Atlantic and our last bill was estimated at 50% of our actual usage. This put less in the old tariff than should be there. Check your meter readings, as a low estimate when prices are increasing can cost you in the long run.

martinjrb

rubytwilight wrote: »

Once my rebate was not sent and I contacted Atlantic by phone, the customer service are really pretty helpful. I dont know the email but the phone number is 0800 912 2291

HTH

I have tried calling this morning and I keep getting an engaged tone. It is now that I am starting to get annoyed!

Cardew

Kufu wrote: »

It appears from the as yet anecdotal experiences of many on this board just lately that there is some evidence that the customer (and not for the first time), has been taken for a ride when suppliers have applied these price increases particularly over the last couple of years.

The point made earlier about the fractional sums involved is well taken when measured against the number of people who being well informed, actually complain and have their bills adjusted but when as an another poster was told by a CS agent that it was "industry practice to apply estimated readings when calculating bills following a price increase" when set against the industry and population as a whole it is not difficult to see why their profits continue to rise whilst everyone else struggles to pay their over inflated energy prices.

Kufu,
As you say, it is anecdotal 'evidence' against companies, who have taken over as Public Enemy No1, who are either directly, or by implication, accused of malpractice to boost their profits.

Also, if I may say so, terms like "over-inflated energy prices" are hardly designed to get this issue considered objectively.

This is what I posted in another thread in reply to someone who was rather less subtle in his accusation.

This accusation of a 'con' on the allocation of units to pre-price rise and post-price rise periods for all companies comes up time and again.

Whilst obviously mistakes(both ways) will happen, any deliberate attempt to 'scam' customers would be conspiracy to defraud and whoever was responsible would face a custodial sentence and the company be fined £millions.

The allocation of units to each period is as you say automated. The algorithm for the computer is quite sophisticated and includes data from the Met Office on temperatures.

This algorithm is also independently audited. Any computer programmer that dared to alter it would be discovered, and anyway a whistle blower would probably report them.

From the figures your friend was charged for approx 600kWh(gas) and 100kWh(electric) at the wrong rate, which is a huge discrepancy on a relatively small bill.

I have no idea how this occurred, but I can only think it is something to do with estimated meter readings in a previous period.

As you analysed the bill for 3 years, and there have been several rises and a reduction? in that period, did you find any other similar instances?

Whilst, from your figures, there has obviously been a mistake, it is a massive leap to assume this is "sleight of hand billing" and a "con" affecting all all customers and a deliberate act of deception.

For instance, could it be possible that a mistake be made in favour of the customer?

If you are convinced that this is systematic fraud, I suggest you report your allegations to the Regulator, The Office of Fair Trading(OFT) and perhaps the local police fraud squad.

1carminestocky

Whilst obviously mistakes(both ways) will happen, any deliberate attempt to 'scam' customers would be conspiracy to defraud and whoever was responsible would face a custodial sentence and the company be fined £millions.

Interesting. I wonder how the law would view a company that has realised it has overcharged potentially millions of customers (by mistake, let's be generous and concede) and doesn't appear to be doing anthing about re-imbursing these customers until they personally complain?

katie_-_lawyer

I have given consumers the legal information that is relevant. It is up to them to contact Atlantic and to decide whether or not they are acting legally. Do you think retrospective price rises fall within the legal definition of 'fair'? Hence the Unfair Contract Terms Act - this exists to protect consumers from unfair practices.

Cardew

katie_-_lawyer wrote: »

I have given consumers the legal information that is relevant. It is up to them to contact Atlantic and to decide whether or not they are acting legally. Do you think retrospective price rises fall within the legal definition of 'fair'? Hence the Unfair Contract Terms Act - this exists to protect consumers from unfair practices.

I am not a lawyer but it seems to me that the first fact to establish is if indeed these prices rises are retrospective.

The company announce the price rise on a certain date and the Regulator Ofgem(remember a Government body) have imposed a procedure that gives the utility company 65 days to inform their customers formally of that rise; and must give safeguards to the customer.

Clearly the Utility company and Government would dispute that the price rise is retrospective.

In fact the letter I had from BG for changes in T&Cs on this issue, specifically stated that the '65 day' regulation was imposed on them by the Regulator

There are other precedents. For instance Banks and Building Societies can announce cuts in interest rates for depositors or increases in mortgage rates and have xx days to inform those affected; and no safeguards for the customers.

You were asked earlier by Premier if you are indeed a lawyer and you have not replied.

So may I ask again - are you a lawyer?

The reason I ask is we have had several people contributing to MSE who have claimed to be lawyers and it has become apparent that they were not.

Whilst, to repeat myself, I am but a layman, I believe your implied advice that in this instance Atlantic are in breach of the Unfair Contract Terms Act is incorrect.

katie_-_lawyer

I am not acting in a legal capacity on this site. I am merely trying to help fellow consumers, in the true spirit of this website. Yes I am a qualified solicitor.