Sign the Downing St Petition against retrospective charges!

brysiewysie

If this ever happened the next thing people would be moaning about is the fact they can't get an answer from their supplier because the phone queues are so long. It's done this way for a specific reason and customers can get the pre-increase prices if they are unhappy.

superstylin

So the Energy companies can get away with not making it clear that you can complain, refuse to pay and switch and get pre increase rates because 'the phone queues will be long'?

moonrakerz

superstylin wrote: »

Tell that to Downing St Cardew. It's not my petition

From this comment do you think that "Downing Street" put this petition on the board ??

Cardew

superstylin wrote: »

So the Energy companies can get away with not making it clear that you can complain, refuse to pay and switch and get pre increase rates because 'the phone queues will be long'?

You shouldn't assume that the energy companies don't make it clear.

For instance BG sent out individual letters explaining the change in ruling several months ago, so did some other companies.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=696427

All companies must include this information on the formal letter notifying of an increase - as Atlantic did(albeit in small print)

The problem is that most of us are all guilty of not reading the 'small print' from utility companies, banks etc.

You can hardly expect companies to have emblazoned in red a notice explaining how it might be to your advantage to leave their company!!

I am still not sure if you still feel people should sign the petition?

brysiewysie

superstylin wrote: »

So the Energy companies can get away with not making it clear that you can complain, refuse to pay and switch and get pre increase rates because 'the phone queues will be long'?

Wow, that's exactly what I said wasn't it - not.

Price change information is price sensitive and therefore stock market listed companies have to release the info to the stock market as soon as they get to the increase day. How do you expect it to work from there? I'd be interested into your insight.

This is another one of those whinges from people who have no constructive idea about how it should work, just that they don't like the way it currently works. Come up with some constructive thoughts and I'm sure this will get a positive response from more people.

superstylin

Cardew in my opinion I think the petition is still worth signing. The energy companies are using the Ofgem rule to their own advantage. As I see it, they are making money from people who may not be as savvy as the people who read this forum, or the people search the small print in their terms and conditions.

The notice of T&C's were sent out (according to the link you gave) in January. Even if most people read and understood that letter, I cannot imagine they remembered it's significance 10months later, when they received another letter to say their prices were increasing with effect from August (2mths previous).

I'm sorry if we do not agree on this matter but the petition is there for people who may have different opinions- and in reading the previous posts it seems there are many who do not feel the implementation of this system is fair

superstylin

brysiewysie wrote: »

Wow, that's exactly what I said wasn't it - not.

Price change information is price sensitive and therefore stock market listed companies have to release the info to the stock market as soon as they get to the increase day. How do you expect it to work from there? I'd be interested into your insight.

This is another one of those whinges from people who have no constructive idea about how it should work, just that they don't like the way it currently works. Come up with some constructive thoughts and I'm sure this will get a positive response from more people.

Calm down Brysie. It's only a forum. If you have a problem with the thread then stop reading it and replying, thereby 'bumping' something you do not consider to be right.

superstylin

moonrakerz wrote: »

From this comment do you think that "Downing Street" put this petition on the board ??

Sorry Moon, didn't see your post

I was commenting on Cardew's (pre-edit) comments that my reasons in the petition were wrong. The petition is not mine, it was created by an R. Laing and approved by the team behind the 'Number10' government website.

brysiewysie

superstylin wrote: »

Calm down Brysie. It's only a forum. If you have a problem with the thread then stop reading it and replying, thereby 'bumping' something you do not consider to be right.

...... But I don't have any problem with it being discussed or bumped.

If people do have other suggestions it's much better than just this being another negative comment. I'm trying to give an insight into why it's as it is and the alternative will be much worse. After all customers can refuse to accept the increase and they do get told about it even if it is up to 65 working days after the deed has been done.

So the Energy companies can get away with not making it clear that you can complain, refuse to pay and switch and get pre increase rates because 'the phone queues will be long'?

You were responding to my post with something innaccurate. Customers price increase letters do already contain all this info (at least my employers do). If the customers decides not to read it they have to accept at least some responsibility for not being aware of it..

superstylin

Brysie, thank you for the insight (seriously). Along with Cardew and Kim I have been made far more aware of just how this system works and what I could do to take advantage of it. In no way would I have been aware of this before I came to this forum.

I can only repeat that, in my opinion, a large (I think) majority of people will not understand the implications of the new ruling and the Energy companies are not being as transparent, as I think Ofgem should entreat them to be.