EON pre-paid meter rip off

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi VOIRREY

We didn't charge for any meter changes when you first contacted us after buying the property in Nov 2007. These charges were only introduced for non-essential meter changes on 3 July 2008.

May I ask a few questions about your first contact with us?

Did you provide details of the change of responsibility so we could set up a new account? If you did, we should have sent you a Welcome Pack with details of the prices and T&Cs.

You should also have received a new key. This will have enabled you to clear any debt left on the meter by the previous occupier so as to allow you to start with a clean slate as it were. Did you receive this?

Did you ask for the account to be in your name or your daughter's name? If in your name, did you tell us you owned the property and already held a credit account with us at another address?

The reason I ask these questions is because we have fairly strict guidelines when it comes to replacing prepayment meters with credit ones. If I might explain.

We are reluctant to remove prepayment meters from properties where they have been fitted to reclaim a previous debt. This is because experience has shown us there is a good chance a similar situation may arise again; particularly where properties have changed hands several times in a relatively short period.

Consequently, we need to be reasonably sure the new occupiers will not also finish up in debt. That is why we carry out credit checks and ask customers to use the prepayment meter for at least 12 months before requesting a meter change. It allows us to build up a picture of their credit worthiness.

However, each case is looked at individually and account taken of things like property ownership and any previous credit history with us.

Only when we are in possession of all the info can we make an informed decision.

Sorry for all the questions VOIRREY but I hope the above helps shed a little light on to our policy regarding prepayment meters. As before, give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

VOIRREY

Apologies for not getting back sooner ! In response to your questions ,at the outset we were told to go to our local town and collect a key for use in the property, we were not asked for any details, we did not receive a welcome pack ,no rates for your electricity given, registered in daughters name EON made aware of my previous direct debits and custom. Property empty for over 2 yrs before i bought it. No mention of charge for removing meter Still not had response for complaint . I have been to the house last week and there are 2 letters there from EON one urging to be vigilant re scams for prepaid credit, I would have thought that was rich coming from EON with their own scams., and finally last week a letter stating that there is to be a price cut on your rates I suppose 2 years late for some info on rates isnt bad. I have recently installed gas central heating into the property and now need to install a meter for gas and preferably a new meter for electric. How many problems is that going to cause me? If in the first place you carried out credit checks on either myself or my daughter non of these problems would have occured but as you showed total indifference to your customers I will proceed to gather info to take to the complaint body.
just another point in April 2008 an installer came to my house and installed a gas meter, despite myself instructing him that I did not have gas. 2 yrs later, after a barrage of estimated bills it was discovered he had installed it in the wrong house and guess whose been sent the bill for their gas consumtion as it was registered at my address with the national grid. Guess who ordered the gas meter to be installed!!!!!EON !!!!!!!I hope you have now possession of all the facts to make an informed decision,pity you were the only one to ask! Meter now standing at £150 debit

t0rt0ise

You could try calling other suppliers and seeing if they will change the meter. British Gas did mine straight away after a credit check. Unfortunately I've fallen out with BG now and am changing suppliers again but they did change the meters for free.

VOIRREY

Thanks for suggestion ,already tried that with Npower who supply my house and get a I have direct debit every month. They refused saying that I would have to stay on a meter for another 12 months! therefore I will now cancel my direct debit with them and will pay bill when it comes, its about time we took back control

SwanJon

VOIRREY wrote: »

I will now cancel my direct debit with them and will pay bill when it comes, its about time we took back control

And paid more by losing the DD discount. Way to hit them where it hurts...

Premier_2

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi VOIRREY

I'm sorry you haven't received a reply to your original complaint and for the lack of info provided when you first set up the account.

Given the length of time now involved, I would contact our Director's Office and ask them to take over the matter. Also, ask for the complaint to be back dated to the time you first raised your grievances.

If, as you say, you've been talking to us about this for almost 3 years, back dating the complaint will allow you to go to the Ombudsman immediately should the Director's Office be unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction.

Ask for a second complaint to be raised concerning the gas meter, too. I must say, installing the meter in the wrong property is exceptionally poor and I apologise for this.

Contact details for the Director's Office are on your statements.

Just a couple of quick points from the info you've posted.

As I advised previously, the charge for non-essential meter changes was introduced on 3 July 2008. Therefore, there was no charge to inform you about when you bought the property in 2007.

The key you collected from your local town will have cleared down any debt left by the previous occupiers.

As the account is in your daughter's name and she is not the property owner, we will have required 12 months credit history before considering a meter change.

Even though you are using little or no electricity, there is still a daily Standing Charge involved. I suspect this is where the debt you mention comes from.

Again, I'm sorry you're having these difficulties but hope this points you in the right direction.

Malc

VOIRREY

Premier and Swan jon point taken!!!!! Ive just looked up trolling! obviously Im boring you ,end of