Do my inlaws have a claim? (Scot Power)

Lubylu_2

I was wondering if someone could tell me if my in-laws can make a claim of mis-selling?

They were with Staywarm paying £75 for G&E. A door to door saleman (Scottish Power) came round and did the usual blurb and said that by moving their G&E they would save £10 p/m. Rightly or wrongly they signed up there and then and now 10mths on they are £500 in debt!! We have noticed that they have been put on Scot Power Discounted Scheme (Should they not have been offered something similar to Staywarm...a fixed amount, at least?) Or told that the quoted monthly amount would be variable depending on how much they used? Unlike Staywarm whereby you pay a fixed slightly more amount but can use as much as you like?

After the first month their Gas bill was £150 and 2mths it was £300 (this isn't incl Elec) since then it has increased. It does say on their bills that after 3mths they would review the bill and adjust it accordingly but this has never been done.

Their monthly bill is now £110 to pay off the arrears and the new accruing amount. My concern is that the last 10mths was mainly spring/summer and now entering winter this £500 arrears will be nothing in 6mths time it will be double.

Are they able to claim mis-selling?

Any advice would be helpful

Cardew

The simple answer is no, they do not have a claim.

Your in-laws are just some of the many thousands who have been conned by a doorstep salesman.

Unless they have in writing that they would save £10 monthly they haven't a case. NOTE: reducing their Direct Debit by £10 a month is not the same as saving £10.

Ldd_3

You could try for an erroneous transfer, under the grounds that you had been miss lead. You would go back to stay warm as though you had never left. They would obviously back date the charges for the last 10 months but it sounds as though it would be cheaper than staying with Spow

Lubylu_2

I have had a call back from Scot Power and they are applying for an erroneous tranfer and cannot see why it won't go through. They have admitted that they shouldn't have approached my In-Laws and it was their fault.

They will refund the monthly premiums and clear the debt and transfer them back to Stay Warm as if they haven't left.

I think this is the best outcome we could have asked for as they will only have to pay an additional £140 different between the 2 companies. A little more acceptable than the £500 debt and £161p/m.

I think more people need to be aware that this 'erroneous transfer' can be done as I don't think my In-Laws are alone in being mis-sold.

Thanks