Gas Transportation Charge - Am I being taken for a ride?

CountDrakma

Thanks Pssst & Premier and SwanJon. I'm going to write to EDF again and I'll speak to a few neighbours. I'll rest this until I've got something to post. In meantime please accept my genuine gratitude for your advice, info & pointers. Nice to know we're not alone!!
Cheerio.

Tiggergirl

I'm in the same boat as you, having just received an EDF bill with this new charge on it. I'd be interested to know which suppliers don't pass on this charge. Not knowing this makes all the comparison sites pretty much useless.

Premier_2

Tiggergirl wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as you, having just received an EDF bill with this new charge on it. I'd be interested to know which suppliers don't pass on this charge. Not knowing this makes all the comparison sites pretty much useless.

See post#8

Tiggergirl

A bit out of date, but just found this article.

For some reason the original pdf file isn't available, but google has the html version.

SwanJon

Cheers, I was looking for that.. The reason you can't find it was on energywatch's website and when they closed so did their website.
I'd hoped it would be on consumer focus's site but no such luck.

KimYeovil

I know it's irritating when this sort of thing happens and it's annoying when 'Oh wait, you mean I'm one of the ones who will lose out?' but there is a contradiction in the OP's op.

Don't take this aggressively, Count, but you did write "this virtually wipes out my discounts". So are you also going to complain about receiving a £4 direct debit discount and demand that they take it back - after all, if you want other customers to help you pay for your transportation charge you must, to be consistent, want to pay for other customers quarterly bills and prepayment meters? And I'm sure you think it's unfair to be given a discount for being a dual fuel customer. They should take that £6 back as well.

Or are discounts and penalties ratchets that are only unfair when they do not operate in your favour?

Tiggergirl

FWIW I just searched for a new deal on SimplySwitch - Initially there were no questions regarding whether I have an IGT. I chose myself a new supplier and went through to the process of entering my details. At the point they got hold of my actual address (with house number), it realised I have an IGT and then did a new search for deals. The price for both Southern Electric and British Gas did not change, so I think we can assume they have not yet decided to add the extra charge.

Before anyone jumps on me and refers me to post 8 again, I did need to be sure of who was charging this before I changed suppliers. After all, EDF used to be on the list of suppliers not passing on this charge and now they have changed, so I thought it may have been possible others had followed suit.

SwanJon

Tigger, that's the first time I've heard of a comparison site checking for an IGT, so good for SimplySwitch.
Now, are the other sites doing the same, and if not, why not?

accman68

I have just received my first bill from EDF and they have charged me 11p a day. I have queried this as at no time was this charge mentioned. I live on a housing development which is now 10 years old. Appart from initially being charged by London Electric when I moved in since then I was with British Gas and never ever received the charge. EDF say that it is standard charging and BG must have been charging me also. I say not and was prepared to send them my last 10 years bills to prove this.
I am contracted with EDF until December 2011. I am aware that if I leave then I have to pay them £35 per fuel as a penalty. I could switch tariff free and then leave without penalty. It would just mean that I would then be on a variable tariff for 6-8 weeks why the move is happening.

I'm shocked after 10 years to suddenly start having to pay for something that I never agreed too. It is almost like the charge should have been set in the deeds to the house purchase.

To me it sounds like a complete rip off........ I am going to write a letter to EDF and demand that they remove this charge as they had at no stage advised that this was payable. Prior to the move their telephone sales person did not advise of the charge and they asked for my meter number.

C_Mababejive

accman68 wrote: »

I have just received my first bill from EDF and they have charged me 11p a day. I have queried this as at no time was this charge mentioned. I live on a housing development which is now 10 years old. Appart from initially being charged by London Electric when I moved in since then I was with British Gas and never ever received the charge. EDF say that it is standard charging and BG must have been charging me also. I say not and was prepared to send them my last 10 years bills to prove this.
I am contracted with EDF until December 2011. I am aware that if I leave then I have to pay them £35 per fuel as a penalty. I could switch tariff free and then leave without penalty. It would just mean that I would then be on a variable tariff for 6-8 weeks why the move is happening.

I'm shocked after 10 years to suddenly start having to pay for something that I never agreed too. It is almost like the charge should have been set in the deeds to the house purchase.

To me it sounds like a complete rip off........ I am going to write a letter to EDF and demand that they remove this charge as they had at no stage advised that this was payable. Prior to the move their telephone sales person did not advise of the charge and they asked for my meter number.

Previous suppliers probably assimilated the transportation cost into the cost of gas rather than billing it as a separate item.

The thing is you see,the pipes from the main road to your house cost money to install and maintain. also,they convey the gas to you in much the same way as a tesco delivery truck would bring your groceries and charge for it.

If for example,the gas emergency service had to attend your home or work in the road..they would bill your gas transporter for that work.

Maybe you need to look at switching supplier to see if you can mitigate the cost?

See also quidco.