Switched from npower to British Gas, estimated bill

tobiascurious

For gas, I switched from npower to British Gas

I submitted a meter reading to British Gas as requested. I thought they would tell npower, but npower have sent me a final bill with a (high) estimated reading.

British Gas (online) now show that my account is in credit, although no bill has been generated and I have paid nothing to them.

Shall I just pay npower and hope it will sort itself out? Can anyone help?

Magentasue

I would give npower the final reading and ask for a revised bill.

tobiascurious

Thanks. The reading was taken a month ago and I'm not sure what it was.

I can give them the current reading but I'm worried that might confuse things as npower is no longer supplying us

Magentasue

tobiascurious wrote: »

Thanks. The reading was taken a month ago and I'm not sure what it was.

I can give them the current reading but I'm worried that might confuse things as npower is no longer supplying us

You should be able to find/obtain the reading from your new supplier. So long as you give npower an account number, they should be able to trace the account and help you. I'd confirm everything in writing and ask them to do the same.

tobiascurious

The thing about switching is that it's meant to be a smooth process - should British Gas not have told npower themselves?

Magentasue

I've switched loads of times and always had a 'proper' final bill using the meter reading given - never had one with an estimated reading.

littletommytucker

Dont worry about it. Even though you gave British Gas your meter reading, I can assure you their starting read will match nPowers final read, and this is all that matters.

rahl101

tobiascurious wrote: »

The thing about switching is that it's meant to be a smooth process - should British Gas not have told npower themselves?

Generally yes.
If you gave British Gas your opening read, it is generally considered the norm for them to pass it on to your previous supplier.

In fact from personal experince some suppliers get a little bit put out if you try to give them a final read stating "we need to get this as a flow(electronic communication) from your new supplier."

Might be an idea to give British Gas a ring and find out what read they sent and when., they should be able to resend that to NPower so they can correctly shut down the account.

In the meantime, if you contact NPower to tell them this is happening they can hold your account until that happens, but be aware this can take a further 4-6 weeks.

If they refuse...exercise you're right to esculate. Speaking to a manager covers your back and makes sure they keep their promise of holding off thill they get the new read

Hardworkingmum_2

My Dad changed from Npower to another last year, he gave the new supplier the correct reading but Npower failed to update their records. Contact British Gas on 0800 048 0505 and ask them for your Start meter Reading, then Contact Npower on 0845 071 4525 to check your final reading. If your final reading from Npower doesn't match then that is where the fun starts as it's not that simple to change. You will need to push Npower to get it changed. My Dad had 3 months of hell trying to get this changed because they were sending him bailiff letters for money as they had over estimated his final reading, in the end he contacted Energy Watch (now part of Consumer Direct 08454 04 05 06) to complain. Within 7 days my Dad received 3 calls from Npower apologising and a cheque for correct amount they owed him. Good Luck

Kittenkirst

Hi,
i work for BG but in corporate (business) arm; If you call Npower with the read; they should make a note of this on the system and be able to see that it is line with previous firm reads.

If BG have the read they will send a flow to the data collector who will validate the read as a change of supply read and then send it via another flow to your previous supplier.

They should then update your account with no problems; it does take a few weeks for the flows to be received by each party and then all should be well with the world :0)