powergens unbelievable estimate!!

candy210212000

Hi everyone. I recently switched to powergen from british gas, as they were charging me £20 a week gas, and £15 a week electric, even though i only have a 2 bedroom house and dont leave the heating on. So i went on uswitch to see if i could save any money. They come up with powergen as one of the cheapest suppliers, so i switched my gas and electricity over to them. My gas has only just been switched, and i am still waiting for my electric to be switched. I set up a direct debit as this saves money. But to my amazement they took £80 out of my account last week without warning for a monthly estimate just for my gas alone :mad: ! But there wasnt enough money in my account to cover this, so i was charged :mad: . I rang powergen and told i wanted the money back as i thought the estimate was rather expensive, and that i wanted to cancel my direct debit. They said they would send me a cheque, but instead they put the money back into my account immediatly, which i thought was ok, and they are sending me a cheque to cover the bank charge. Does this mean they was in the wrong? Just thought i would warn anyone who is switching to another supplier, to check the estimate first.

[Deleted User]

I am surprised they are doing that, that's good that they are even covering the bank charges. But of course it shouldn't have happened in the first place! They should have told you how much your estimate was and when the DD was going to be taken out, so yes they were in the wrong. Not a good way to start huh? I hate Powergen, can't wait to get rid of them!

scope

Well, good on Powergen to put your money back, and offering to pay the charge. However, it is just an estimate, and if they over the course of a year (or whatever) charge too much, you will get this credited back to your account. Likewise, if you change the estimate to be too low you will get a nice bill at the end of the year.

I'd pay roughly the same as you paid BG, and see how this pans out over the year.

Hadrian

The figures you gave are truely enormous. I'm with Powergen and do my account via the net, for which they give me a small saving. I have a Direct Debit for £20 (yes £20) a month for both elec and gas. I also have a 2 bedroom modern semi, on my own and live in the Midlands. Gas c/heating on 0600/22.00 less 2 hours. Elec mainly the usual things but no cooker use, microwave yes. Are you sure you aren't paying for someones elses power? My gas consumption was 5410 Kw/hrs and elec was 2350Kw/hrs, both a year. Get Powergen to do your bills via the net and send them readings every month, I do. Best of luck but don't let them charge you 'over the top'.

serena

A direct debit is usually protected by your bank.If an amount is taken out without you being informed in advance of the amount and the date, then your bank will refund the amount to your account. Please check with your bank, who will probably have a leaflet. This may be reassuring for the future.

candy210212000

I dont know if i am paying for someone elses gas/electric. Knowing my luck i probably am lol. Thank you for the replys, ill contact powergen and see if thats the problem.