Swallowed Scottish hydro agent's bite

R.Deringer

Hi,

Recently we decided to make few changes in the house (bill wise) so we thought about changing the gas/ele supplier from Scottish Gas to something more affordable (didn't think about changing the tariff within the same supplier though) - it was time for a big change :O

Anyway, in the same time period a Scottish Hydro agent arrived at our door - just in time when we were ready to make a change. She gave us quite an offer - halfing our current bill costs.

Lower costs per units and no standing charges - it looked good... we signed.

First bill - charges for the consumptions were quite different. From proposed 10.91 per ele unit, we have now a 18.ish per first 59 and 10.50 after. For gas, from proposed 2.99 per kWh we got 4.ish per 300 kWh and then just over 3p.

We have send a complaint about the charges to the company, but no word so far. Also, our contract somehow is longer than a year.. signed in May, connected on 24th of June but lasts till September.

Does what agent said when she was throwing a hook to the pond was just bunch of lies?

Cardew

Did you get the offer in writing?

Were the prices quoted before VAT.

The difference between a very expensive tariff and the cheapest is 20% at the outside; no way could any company 'halve costs'

R.Deringer

Her prices were compared against our last bill, prices were without the vat - both.

We got our previous bill all written over with her 'ideas' - not signed tho.

Gerrard_8_lfc

You would have saved money if you had just switched to websaver 3 atleast you would have knew what you were getting.

R.Deringer

We thought we knew what we are getting. Post was made to raise a flag.... and possibly get a pointer in which direction we should head on.

Gerrard_8_lfc

I am not saying where you should go but people at your door with "bend" the truth to suit them and its sad because people who do tell the truth ( in full) end up worse off.

If hydro offer a good service and good price stay with them if not search about.

If its nothing special you know what you get with SG/BG go for websaver.

EON offer a competitve tariff as do EDF compare them if you want to save money I do know as i work for SG Websaver is competitive

R.Deringer

Bend the truth? Well, that's the case I guess. We got a slightly different offer from the agent.. and we got different figures on the bill.

Does no-one else on those forums can reply who had possibly a similar experience?

Dreamnine

I wouldn't give anyone who knocks on my door the time of day to be honest, let alone get sucked into signing a contract with them.

Fire_Fox

Loads of people had similar experiences, albeit with different suppliers. Never buy anything from a door-to-door salesman and always read anything you sign. Is it a good deal compared to what you were on?

R.Deringer

I know were you heading, it's not bad.. but it's a matter of principle now. Offer we got at this moment is not any worse than the previous one.

Bill we got for this month is similar to the previous one from the Scottish Gas/Ele. Bill from hydro doesn't have standing charges included, so that's the gain and we pay with direct debit ... which also adds up (we didn't before).

However, I'm still disappointed. Hydro folks didn't even bother to answer our complain.

Contract we signed is for a year time, is my word is enough (as I don't have agent's signature on her writings) to switch a supplier without being charged extra?

R.Deringer

Quick update, I've talk with hydro on the phone and the case was passed to manager. Will have a chat with her on Friday Seemingly, if there was no special discount at the time in my area.. there will be a official complain raised against the hydro agent who sold me the offer.

Sounds promising so far.