Energy Companies Allegedly Misuseing Direct Debit Scheme

backfoot

Well done BLF.:T

Your passion and detail contrasts wonderfully with their lame excuses and sharp practice.

:beer:

1carminestocky

Excellent work, guys! Even though I'm a serial cashback switcher (TM) I have made myself a promise I won't switch back to BG unless the cashback amount gets to £80 again. Anything less wouldn't be worth the hassle, tbh...

POSSETTE

im with edf energy...i pay £13 a month for gas and 32 for elec..the 13 was reduced from 30 approx 8 months ago,because we had over £100 in credit which i had back..so sat morning i had a letter saying its going up to£31 a month..i called up and asked why, CS woman said "well it has gone up 22% you know"..so i said,"then why are you putting DD up 150%???"..she couldnt answer me,so its been left at £13.i will gladly go up to £18 a month as that is approx 22% rise.Sorted

bristolleedsfan

1carminestocky wrote: »

Even though I'm a serial cashback switcher (TM) I have made myself a promise I won't switch back to BG unless the cashback amount gets to £80 again. Anything less wouldn't be worth the hassle, tbh...

Im certain that 60.00 tax free ( less any additional Tier 1 costs incurred) would tempt you to switch to BG, being as it would be a passport to another switch elsewhere.

backfoot

Cardew wrote: »

Incisor,

However to put the financial aspect into perspective, will you concede that under your worse case scenario it will cost the average customer £4 a year in lost interest? and they gain £84 in DD discount?

Fallacious argument really and not a fair comparison. The figures may be correct but I think we all know that the so called 'DD discount' isn't really that is it? For it to amount to around 8% on average bills, for administrative savings, cash flow benefit/bad debt problem would be truly mindboggling.

No the truth is that the companies have realised that online and financially savvy customers are tuned in to the online cost of supply and label up this up a sweetener.At the same time, they immorally penalise non DD customers for wanting to pay their way by traditional means.i.e after a bill is produced. These people pay their way just like you and me but are charged more !!

It is presented that they are doing you are favour but it is nothing of the kind. It allows them to keep increasing the top line retail tariff cost,year on year, while allowing an ever shrinking discount from the bottom line.

DirectDebacle

backfoot wrote: »

Who knows !!!! up or not.

What is tremendously galling is the sheer contempt that Customer queries receive......

Spot on. Arrogance, contempt, condescencion and complacency. Customers are treated like mushrooms, kept in the dark and regularly fed with horsesheet.

The energy suppliers reluctance to give a straight answer to a straight question can only fuel the feeling that they are basically dishonest, incompetent or both.

Well done BF & BLF. Keep pestering them until you have your questions answered. I know how difficult this can be for these companies. The truth only hurts if it ought to.

Cardew

backfoot wrote: »

Fallacious argument really and not a fair comparison. The figures may be correct but I think we all know that the so called 'DD discount' isn't really that is it? For it to amount to around 8% on average bills, for administrative savings, cash flow benefit/bad debt problem would be truly mindboggling.

No the truth is that the companies have realised that online and financially savvy customers are tuned in to the online cost of supply and label up this up a sweetener.At the same time, they immorally penalise non DD customers for wanting to pay their way by traditional means.i.e after a bill is produced. These people pay their way just like you and me but are charged more !!

It is presented that they are doing you are favour but it is nothing of the kind. It allows them to keep increasing the top line retail tariff cost,year on year, while allowing an ever shrinking discount from the bottom line.

Firstly you are listening too much to The Troll if you believe I am "a fan of BG;" so please don't follow him lamely and make your own judgements on my postings.

If you read through my posts I have been consistent in my condemnation of the accounts department/computer setup at BG. I have posted of my own problems; particularly during the switch between computer systems.

It seems that there is a body of opinion on MSE that simply want this forum turned into a diatribe against the Utility companies and anyone who dares to venture another opinion is branded a biased employee, fan, apologist, sympathiser.

Also, of course every company will get away with whatever dubious practice they can, it is what happens in a Capitalist society. If they could double/triple their profits they would.

However let us have some balanced criticism and objectivity on this forum.

With regard to your post above.

Firstly I thought it had been established in this thread that BG were not one of the companies 'guilty' changing their DD system?? Or don't you agree?
Your problem means they are guilty? My case and the others don't count?

Secondly why is it a "fallacious argument" to attempt to quantify how much this alleged change is costing. It isn't even an argument - merely establishing some facts.

Even if your point that the DD discount is no such thing was conceded, how does that alter the (£4) cost to the consumer of this alleged change?

It will cost a customer, in a worst case scenario, £4 a year regardless of there being a 7% discount for DD, no discount for DD or a 7% premium for paying by DD.

Is the fact that this is a small amount that is the problem? and should not be mentioned?

Or perhaps you feel happier with the approach of The Troll and reactor etc.

backfoot

So right Incisor,

It's your money,not theirs.

In our episode, one letter said that we were not entitled to a refund of the credit balance until it reached £200. The annual bill for gas amounts to £360!!

So not only will the exisiting payments cover the next 12 months but unless it reaches their arbitrary trigger point then they invest my money forever until I change supplier.

Bloody cheek. :mad:

All we want is a balanced mutual agreement.Not too much to ask in tough times.

1carminestocky

Cardew/Hugh Jeego - how arrogant and, frankly, pathetic of you to accuse someone of backfoot's obvious intelligence of 'lamely' following anyone. You really are a disgrace.

backfoot

Cardew wrote: »

Firstly you are listening too much to The Troll if you believe I am "a fan of BG;" so please don't follow him lamely and make your own judgements on my postings.

If you read through my posts I have been consistent in my condemnation of the accounts department/computer setup at BG. I have posted of my own problems; particularly during the switch between computer systems.

It seems that there is a body of opinion on MSE that simply want this forum turned into a diatribe against the Utility companies and anyone who dares to venture another opinion is branded a biased employee, fan, apologist, sympathiser.

Also, of course every company will get away with whatever dubious practice they can, it is what happens in a Capitalist society. If they could double/triple their profits they would.

However let us have some balanced criticism and objectivity on this forum.

With regard to your post above.

Firstly I thought it had been established in this thread that BG were not one of the companies 'guilty' changing their DD system?? Or don't you agree?
Your problem means they are guilty? My case and the others don't count?

Secondly why is it a "fallacious argument" to attempt to quantify how much this alleged change is costing. It isn't even an argument - merely establishing some facts.

Even if your point that the DD discount is no such thing was conceded, how does that alter the (£4) cost to the consumer of this alleged change?

It will cost a customer, in a worst case scenario, £4 a year regardless of there being a 7% discount for DD, no discount for DD or a 7% premium for paying by DD.

Is the fact that this is a small amount that is the problem? and should not be mentioned?

Or perhaps you feel happier with the approach of The Troll and reactor etc.

Cardew,

I really can't be bothered to dissect all of the false statements made above.

I think you are a good contributor from what I have mostly read.

I don't follow anybody's lead and I have no idea why you attribute this to me. I am a fairly new contributor to this forum.

I agree with your £4 figure. All I said, it was a fallacious comparison with the DD discount, which you had used. I think you have conceded that part.

You can write as much as you like as far as I am concerned but I won't get involved in becoming part of your 'personality arguments' with other posters.

I have laid out the facts of my case, relevant to the OP's thread. You have stated you are not similarly affected, but with all due respect to keep on denying others have legitimate complaint ,when it is so obvious they have, is a bit tiresome my friend.:o