new "quarter" swindle

andrew_b_5

As almost everyone else, I should receive a quarterly water bill based on my metered water supply, however this >quarter< Yorkshire water have decided to make the quarter 107 days long instead of the standard 91 days.

The first 20 units consumed are at a lower rate than any excess of 20 units/quarter, in 107 days I used 26 units, 20 at low rate and 6 at high rate.

This had the effect of incuring a higher charge band for the extra 6 units consumed during the 17 days of "over-run", that I used 6 units of water during the 17 days that were effectively the >next quarter<.

Anyone agree with this? I am going to take YW to task tomorrow regarding thier advantageous extension of a "quarter":mad:

funkyfunkymonkey

Unless I'm looking in the wrong place Yorkshire Water charges appear to reduce the more you use.

50-250 cu m per annum 74.7p/m3
250-3000 cu m per annum 63.6p/m3


http://www.yorkshirewater.com/medialibrary/PDF%20files/Charges_scheme_and_scale_of_other_charges_200910.pdf

FFM

Headsabovewater

The two different charges are because of the new finantial year being the ist April.

I can see you point that it may be anoying that the bill is longer than normal but Yorkshire water will point out it makes no difference to the amount you are paying.
The last 6 units were used in this finantial year and even if they bill you over the exact 91 days the first 20 units will still be at the origional amount upto 1st April then they would need to remove 17 days worth of use and re bill you up to the 91 days.
Then your next bill would including the units removed from this bill at exactly the same price as you have been billed.
So unfortunatly all you will achieve by calling them is to move a couple of quid from this bill to the next bill
So you will still pay the same amount overall but you will also have paid out for a phone call.

Note also that the billing cycle on measured accounts is not fixed as exact but more of an estimate of when the meter readers are in that area so it can vary by a few weeks.

andrew_b_5

I understand what you mean, Headsabove, but it in't an increase in the price of water in the new tax year, it's an increase in the tariff for water used above the "cheap/basic" 20 units in the quarter.

The price goes up from 155.9p /metre to 160.9p /metre after the first 20 metres used per >quarter< period.

I ran YW and they agreed to revise my bill and to ensure that they request my meter reading (via email) every 91 days in future.

Bit of success. :j

Headsabovewater

Glad to hear things got sorted for you.
I did not realise that YW charged more per unit the more you use.

Cardew

andrew_b wrote: »

As almost everyone else, I should receive a quarterly water bill based on my metered water supply,

My understanding is that most people receive a bill every 6 months not quarterly.

funkyfunkymonkey

Headsabovewater wrote: »

Glad to hear things got sorted for you.
I did not realise that YW charged more per unit the more you use.

Their scale of charges suggests that the volumetric charge decreases as usage increases

http://www.yorkshirewater.com/medial...ges_200910.pdf

FFM

deanos

Cardew wrote: »

My understanding is that most people receive a bill every 6 months not quarterly.

Depends on where you live and by what method you pay.

For example Anglian water bill every 6 months if you pay by direct debit , if you pay when you receive the bill you get one every 3 months.

bockster

deanos wrote: »

Depends on where you live and by what method you pay.

For example Anglian water bill every 6 months if you pay by direct debit , if you pay when you receive the bill you get one every 3 months.

we are billed twice yearly from severn trent, i pay on receipt of bill, not dd.

as for tarrifs, i think generally (elec/gas/maybe water) the tarrif decreases the more you use, i for one think its about time this was reversed. its not exactly encouraging less usage is it.