Changing supplier whilst in debit

Lauraebrad

I currently have NPower for both gas and electric on their standard tariff. Late last year we got a cheque for £100 (without asking - it just got sent) as out account was high in credit. However we have now got the most recent statement and following the winter months we are around £300 in debit.

To say I'm furious is an overstatement - why would they give us money back just for us to go into debit?!?!

Anyway, I've had enough of their random / complicated pricing structure and want to change companies. Do you know if I can do this and effectively transfer the debit OR do I have to wait till I'm back in credit with them (or pay off the £300 which obviously I don't have)?

Thanks

aitch-aitch

My own experience of changing companies is that you get a final invoice from the one you are moving from and have to pay that, there isn't an option to transfer to the debt.


Have you checked that the readings they are using are correct? It could be that the are using the wrong estimate and you are not really in debit at all.

Magentasue

No, you can't transfer the debt. When the switching process gets to the point of final meter readings, you settle what you owe and start a new account at zero. If you don't settle the outstanding amount, the transfer can be blocked. I think debts of less than £100 can be disregarded.

KimYeovil

You should be thankful, not upset, that they returned your credit. nPower are not clairvoyant meteorologists. They did not know we were facing the coldest winter for years.

And it is just £100 you don't have - not £200 - that should have already been accounted for by you, surely?

The meters are in your home. It makes sense to check them to see how much you are using. If you genuinely find it difficult to find an odd £300 then you should definitely be keeping an eye on your meter. If you are that poor why are you not doing this in the first place?

And, yes, nPower (like all other suppliers) will likely not let you transfer if you have an outstanding balance (especially if you are paying quarterly.)

Gerrard_8_lfc

Some companys buy the debt if you want to transfer BG will buy a max of £100

Vestra

Gerrard_8_lfc wrote: »

Some companys buy the debt if you want to transfer BG will buy a max of £100

What they will buy it from another supplier??? I've never heard/seen that before.

aelitaman

If you are on an nPower sculpting traiif where they load the premium rate gas units over the winter then the best time to change is October the 30th. Because nPower premium useage rates are a lot lower over than the summer than a company that averages the premium units over 12 months.

Gerrard_8_lfc

Vestra wrote: »

What they will buy it from another supplier??? I've never heard/seen that before.

If you are changing to BG for gas or elec an energy agent told me that BG will buy your debt of £100 max and that will sit as debit in your fuel accounts.

What ill do is ask around tonight.

Lauraebrad

Thanks for the replies everyone. Looks like we'll have to pay at least £200 of it if not all before changing then.

I will bear in mind about changing in October - we may have caught up with ourselves by then.

Whilst we do keep a track of energy usage, I had not previously realised how badly npowers 'gas sculpting' in particular works, and with an old, badly insulated house this winter obviously hasn't helped.

Hopefully moving to Ebico just as soon as we've paid Npower back.