I owe Southern Electric £180, can I switch?

cpsave

I've had my winter bill from Southern Electric and it says I owe £180 despite my payments being increased £30 per month six months ago. I was thinking of switching as I have had both gas and electric from them for years now and would expect a better rate as a new customer somewhere else. I don't know if I can switch as I owe them. I don't want to have to find the £180.
Also when I compare the kilowatt rates on the comparison sites they don't seem that different from what I'm paying. I have a flat rate for both gas and electric but the details on the comparison sites show banded rates. The rate for the first band is higher then my current rate but for the second band is cheaper.

Any advice gratefully received.

Cardew

The losing company(Southern Electricity) can prevent you switching if you owe money.

It would not be unusual to emerge from winter with a debit bill, and with lower consumption over the summer you should enter next winter with a credit balance. That is the principle on how the Direct Debit scheme works.

Most companies have a 2 band tariff these days - you pay the higher rate for the first xxxkWh a quarter and then the lower rate.

However some retain a flat rate for each kWh and a daily standing charge.

macman

Bill based on estimated readings or actual readings?
No you need to clear your debt if you want to switch suppliers.
Are you on the best tariff with SE though?

NeverInDebt

Why would a company let you to leave when you owe them money?

Premier_2

Ok let's start at the beginning.

A debt is not a debt until at least 28 days after it has been formally demanded.
A simple statement showing your account is in debit to the sum of £180 does not constitute a formal demand. (But if you've got a bill asking for payment now, that is a formal demand)

If you switch, you will get a final bill ( a formal demand) and will be expected to pay it.


With regards to comparing unit prices, that is pretty meaningless. Nearly all companies have a swathe of various discounts and charges that make up the final bill, which is why comparison sites exist as they include these confusing discounts & charges when displaying the total annual amount.

Pincher

Ah, the old zero interest balance transfer trick.
If credit card companies can do it, why don't the utilities?
Good thinking. If you find a company that will pay Southern Electric £180 to let you go, do come back and tell us. :rotfl:

melbury

cpsave wrote: »

I've had my winter bill from Southern Electric and it says I owe £180 despite my payments being increased £30 per month six months ago. I was thinking of switching as I have had both gas and electric from them for years now and would expect a better rate as a new customer somewhere else. I don't know if I can switch as I owe them. I don't want to have to find the £180.
Also when I compare the kilowatt rates on the comparison sites they don't seem that different from what I'm paying. I have a flat rate for both gas and electric but the details on the comparison sites show banded rates. The rate for the first band is higher then my current rate but for the second band is cheaper.

Any advice gratefully received.

I have been with Southern Electric for a few years now and yesterday opted to switch to their Go Direct 3 tariff, which hopefully will save me quite a bit.

According to the comparison sites I could save even more by changing to a different supplier, but I just don't want to leave Southern Electric. I like being able to phone up on a free number and always speak to somebody fairly quickly - that is worth more than the few extra pounds I would allegedly save.

I know it sounds like I am singing the praises of SE, but honestly I had such an awful time switching away from British Gas, it was so difficult and went on for ever........... I spent hours on hold phoning them trying to explain that I had actually paid up in full and didn't still owe them money. Each person I spoke to seemed to understand and said they would sort it out and then another threatening letter would arrive.

Gurn_2

So in other words, your thinking of changing suppliers to avoid paying the £180!
"I dont want to find the £180" beggars belief.

Cardew

Gurn wrote: »

So in other words, your thinking of changing suppliers to avoid paying the £180!
"I dont want to find the £180" beggars belief.

To be fair to the OP they probably don't mean they want to avoid payment, but transfer the £180 debt to a new company, or pay off Southern Electric in instalments after they have transferred to a new company.

Neither option is likely to happen!

cpsave

In answer to Gurn I'm not looking to avoid paying the £180 just didn't know if there was a balance transfer option.
My main objective is to reduce what I am being charged.

Gurn_2

I apologize for jumping in feet first!