Heating oil suppliers - ombudsman?

Rosie75

I have a dispute with Total Butler which has been going on for over two months now. They keep invoicing us, when in fact they owe us money. Each time we phone up they apologise, promise to update their records and send us a cheque. Yet all we get are weekly invoices, and even threats of forwarding our "debt" to a debt collection agency. It is clearly not within their capacity to deal with this but I don't know who I can now take this to. There doesn't appear to be an ombudsman for oil suppliers, just for gas and electricity companies. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.

G_M

1st, stop phoning. Do everything in writing.

Write to them, recorded delivery, and explain why you do not owe them anything. Enclose a copy of your bank statement/credit card statement /whatever, showing any relevant payment you made to them, or quote the cheque number. This clearly demonstrates you have paid whatever it is they are billing you for. Ask for a written receipt.

Secondly, enclose an invoice of your own to them for the amount you believe they owe you. Make clear on the invoice what it is for.

Tell them you expect to receive payment within 14 days or you will take them to the Small Claims Court.

Without knowing the details of the dispute (what they are invoicing you for, why you believe they owe you money etc) I cannot comment on the rights/wrongs, so the above advice assumes you are in the right!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.