Final Meter Reading

Gambler

I initiated a dual fuel switch from BG to LE some 5 months ago and although the gas went through okay I am having problems with the elec account.

The supply change took place on 23-Dec.

LE are saying that the old supplier must supply the reading and BG are saying the new supplier must supply the reading.

Can somebody please confirm who is right or is there a webiste i can look at?
getting fed up with this and I want to give one of the company's a piece of mind !

Thanks

smartie1976

Actually, you can switch on an estimate. it happens all the time.
But ring LE, give them a read and tell them to use it as the opening read. see what happens.

I think LE are probably at fault here.

Gambler

Thanks smartie, just phoned energywatch and they have confirmed it is LE at fault here.

Gambler

Update: Phoned LE again but this time spoke to a knowledgeable employee (at last!) who apologised for her colleague's previous incorrect information.

Apparently they have a 5 day window when the switch of supply takes place to take a meter reading. Now a 3rd party, Siemens has to get involved to provide a meter reading to BG. How on earth are they going to do that?

smartie1976

I think, but i'm not sure (switch isn't my department) that LE may have to get in touch with Siemens. I'm pretty sure it's not your responsibility as customers are not expected to get in touch with 3rd parties.

Did the LE employee on the phone not say how this matter would be progressed?

Gambler

smartie1976 wrote:

I think, but i'm not sure (switch isn't my department) that LE may have to get in touch with Siemens. I'm pretty sure it's not your responsibility as customers are not expected to get in touch with 3rd parties.

Did the LE employee on the phone not say how this matter would be progressed?

Yes they will get in touch with Siemens and keep me fully updated on progress. I then thanked her for her help and politely asked for the complaints address, seeing as I have had no update from LE since they wrote to say my supply had been switched (3 months ago!).

smartie1976

Ah right. Well you just need to wait for Siemens to be in touch, who will probably come out and read your meter.

They'll then pass the info back to LE who should get the ball rolling with the transfer from BG.

Gambler

smartie1976 wrote:

Ah right. Well you just need to wait for Siemens to be in touch, who will probably come out and read your meter.

They'll then pass the info back to LE who should get the ball rolling with the transfer from BG.

But my supply was supposed to be transferred on 23-Dec. Does this mean I will still owe BG for the last 3 months at their premium prices?

I shall be seeking compensation if so.

smartie1976

Yes it does. Until the transfer is complete you are billed solely by BG.

As this is LE's fault you should have every right to seek some kind of compensation but I don't know how this could be implemented or indeed applied (as BG is not at fault they will expect full payment of their final bill - you will prob have to negotiate with LE of some kind of discount or fixed compo payment onto your new acc with them.)

Gambler

Thanks smartie. Even worse is the fact that because the gas went through ok BG will charge me full rate for the elec. Especially as I cancelled the DD too !

badtimes

You will not have to pay to the date that the reading was taken. If your supply was transferred on the 23/12 (you can confirm this with your local MPAS) that will be the date that will bill you to and the prices that they will bill you too.

You should not be billed to the reading that they take. They should use that reading and another reading to estimate an appropriate start/end reading. I am surprised that they had to send someone out to take the reading it is normal to take a reading from you and then another from you a week later and then estimate back to the date that the transfer took place.