Scottish Power Screw Up?

bertone77

Just contacted Scottish Power (current electricity supplier) to ask if I was on the best value tariff, to be told by the customer services agent that yes I am on the best value tariff. That's great I say! Then she mentions "mmmm, I do believe that we haven't been charging you correctly since March 2006". At this point I'm thinking this is great - rebate heading my way! Unfortunately it's quite the opposite. Apparantly they have only been charging me since that date for my general electricity meter, not the general electricity meter and the heating meter. I'm confused! I moved into my current home in July 2004 and paid less for my two meters than I am paying now for one meter. I should expect a bill within the next 7 days telling me how much I owe them! Has anyone else experienced this type of problem and are there any success stories of disputing the fact that they got it right for 2 and a half years then seriously screwed it all up for the past 4 years? I am loath to pay this when it arrives on my doormat as I feel it is their mistake!

Plushchris

First of all, you would have been paying less in 2004 than you are paying now regardless of what meter you have because the prices were a lot lower.

Sounds to me like you have Economy 7 and have only been being charged for the day units, not sure if the rule about back billing will apply to this as you have had bills in the meantime.

Yes its probably their fault, however if you have used the electricity then you should be expecting to pay for it.

Have you provided them with meter readings yourself since March 2006? If so did you provide both readings?

bertone77

Thanks for your feedback. I have been supplying SP with two meter readings since I moved in. They have also sent someone out every year (the last time was 2 weeks ago) to also read both meters.

Premier_2

Actually, probably something more like E10 rather than E7, because of the reference to another meter and 'heating' units. Sounds like a 3 rate tariff the OP is on to me.

If so, the OP is on the best tariff as there probably is only one on offer.

Plushchris

Premier wrote: »

Actually, probably something more like E10 rather than E7, because of the reference to another meter and 'heating' units. Sounds like a 3 rate tariff the OP is on to me.

If so, the OP is on the best tariff as there probably is only one on offer.

I dont think SP offer an Eco 10 tariff do they?

Premier_2

Perhaps not to new properties, but they have a protected tariff called comfortplus which is a 3 rate tariff

Edit: actually there appears to be 2 different comfortplus tariffs:

1. Comfortplus Control - this is a 2 rate tariff using general and control units
2. Comfortplus White Meter - this is a 3 rate tariff, offering normal, off peak and control units

Scottish_Power

bertone77 wrote: »

Just contacted Scottish Power (current electricity supplier) to ask if I was on the best value tariff, to be told by the customer services agent that yes I am on the best value tariff. That's great I say! Then she mentions "mmmm, I do believe that we haven't been charging you correctly since March 2006". At this point I'm thinking this is great - rebate heading my way! Unfortunately it's quite the opposite. Apparantly they have only been charging me since that date for my general electricity meter, not the general electricity meter and the heating meter. I'm confused! I moved into my current home in July 2004 and paid less for my two meters than I am paying now for one meter. I should expect a bill within the next 7 days telling me how much I owe them! Has anyone else experienced this type of problem and are there any success stories of disputing the fact that they got it right for 2 and a half years then seriously screwed it all up for the past 4 years? I am loath to pay this when it arrives on my doormat as I feel it is their mistake!

Hi Bertone

I can only guess using the information you've provided, but it does sound like there is a possibility you have only been billed for one rate of a two rate supply. If this is the case, then you will be issued amended statements showing the charges for the usage not previously billed.

However, one of the earlier posters was right in mentioning that the ERA Billing Code may possibly be applicable if this is what has happened.

There was also some mention made of this perhaps being an Economy 10 supply, and I can confirm that ScottishPower are currently unable to support this with an appropriate tariff. As such, all your usage will be billed through the standard rate. The ComfortPlus tariffs mentioned do support various rates but even these are unable to support the Economy 10 tariff at this present time.

In any case, this is only speculation on my part but if you would like us to have a look at your query in some depth then please contact us with your account details and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Our e-mail address can be found by viewing our profile and this is used exclusively by the SP Reps so we will investigate your complaint as soon as we get your details.

Thanks

Paul @ ScottishPower