Fixed Rate Fraud

vixtrix

I signed up with Sainsburys Electric (scottishpower) last year because I was stopped in the shop and told that it was fixed until March 2007. I told her that I was electric only - she pointed out the rates I would pay (I still have the leaflet with her biro marks) and I joined.

However, I have recently found out that the rates were only for Gas and Electric and as I was electric only I was paying the normal tariff of a lot more than I had previously been paying with Virgin Electric!!!

My question is this - I have the original leaflet and it says nothing, not even in the small print, about it being a joint offer. I also have my first bill that reassures me that I am fixed until March 2007. Where do I stand in the eyes of the law? I want to swap suppliers and then only pay Sainsburys for the amount of electric at the rate that they sold me and let them sue me for the rest.

Does anyone have any advice?

hurrah

If you experience a problem with your energy supply, you should first contact your energy supplier and give them an opportunity to resolve the problem (Energywatch advise 10 days).

Then get Energywatch on the case.

http://www.energywatch.org.uk/help_and_advice/how_we_can_help/make_a_complaint/index.asp

cdon

Fixed prices are usually higher then what you may be currently paying when you sign up. If your bill says your prices are fixed until 2007 they will be. Fixed doesn't always mean cheaper, it means no price rises.

IvanOpinion

Quite often what people refer to as 'fixed' isn't .. it is 'capped' .. however since prices are only going up the difference is limited.

ivan

vixtrix

The offer was CAPPED until 31st March 2007. It states that the rates are guaranteed to be the maximum rates to pay - 11.834 for first 225kwh and 5.922 for remaining kwh inc vat. I was paying 9.659 and 5.395 respectively with Virgin but made the choice to go over to Sainsburys ONLY because it was to be capped and not rise!!!! (Although Virgin was cheaper I was aware that they were about to increase).

When my first bill came it also stated 'No price rise until May 2007 guaranteed'. I am now paying 13.270 and 7.427 respectively. I have gone over everything with a fine tooth comb and, to put it simply, they have ripped me off. They sold me a package that they didn't then honour. I have tried speaking to them twice. The first time she promised to change it back to the capped rate. The second time they then insisted that it was only for electric and gas combined and that there is nothing I can do about it.

My point is this - I was mis sold an electric deal - I would have stayed with Virgin and stomached the rises. I ONLY opted for Sainsburys because they guaranteed no price rise. Can they get away with it???

Bullshine_2

I think you will find that Scottish Power will honour the agreement if you can provide them the proof that you signed in good faith for their capped rate. If the issue cannot be resolved then speak with energywatch.

I am not aware of SP having a 'Fixed Tariff' only a 'Capped' one. This may explain the rise???

If indeed what you have said is true, then the advisor who signed you up has breeched the energysure code of practice.

goodybags

Does not sound to me as if the saleswoman in Sainsburys actually did anything wrong from what you are saying.

But obviously at some point for some reason Scottish Power / Sainsburys Energy have taken you off their capped rate before it finished.

As long as you have kept to your part of the Agreement.
You should call them (freephone number on top right hand corner of your bill) and then simply ask them why they have changed your rates when they had guaranteed you a capped rate.

Also if you look on the very top right hand corner of your bill it should say what tariff you are on, If you have your old Bills in your records you will yourself know exactly at what point they took you off the Capped rate.