EDF won't let us switch due to debt.

tigerfeet2006

We are in debt to EDF and we are paying back a chunk each month. After speaking to Southern Electric I filled in the paperwork to change suppliers. Because of the debt EDF has said no! Can they do this? If we change suppliers the SE rep. reckons we will spend about £50 a month on electric (can't remember what he said for gas.) At the moment according EDF we are spending £19 a week on electric and £11 on gas with out the debt. If I am paying less I can afford to put more towards the debt..

So is there any way I can get them to let me change??

NeverInDebt

Yes they can, and good reason to as it would be harder for them to recover the money from ex customers

KimYeovil

No. Pay off your debt then switch. Also make sure you are on the cheapest current deal with EDF - you can switch tariffs with them if you like. Watch out for leaving penalties, though.

And I doubt, btw, that there is a significant difference in Southern Electric prices compared to EDF's cheapest deal. Double check the available tariffs on a comparison site yourself rather than trusting a salesperson.

tigerfeet2006

Thanks folks. Will do a check on the comparison sites. The lady from EDF is sending out a lot of gumpf for me to read about thier tariffs.

Just need to work out how we are spending that much on utilities. I asked about one of those consumption meter thingies I've seen advertised but they don't do free ones.

tigerfeet2006

I have just done a comparison on Moneysupermarket and interestingly for joint electric and gas they come up with EDF online saver (which they were telling me about on the phone) as the 3rd option. SE came down the list at 22.

They reckon that I should save £327 a year on that tariff. So maybe it is not as bad I thought.

BargainGalore

Definitely check before switching preferable using actually usage over a year. I wouldnt go by what any utility company tells you there always going to be biased

BargainGalore

One more thing when you switch keep regularly updates of your meter to supplier so you dont get into debt never go by them saying we will lower your dd payments as you may then get into debt

undaunted

You don't say what you owe, for how long you have owed it or how the debt arose, but

If you have owed the money for less than 28 days you can switch.

If longer but your debt is, or were to be reduced to, under £200 then you should be able to switch regardless. http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/energy-help-and-advice/your-energy-questions

Also if any debt arose solely as a result of the suppliers error then they cannot prevent you switching even if over £200. http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/energy-help-and-advice/your-energy-questions

Beyond that level / those circumstances supposedly companies can exercise "discretion" but at present many energy companies simply just object like this & Ofgem are quite happy to let them do it to domestic customers unfortunately.

I do however know that Npower are being challenged on this by at least one customer at the moment in combination with a "deemed contract", other issues and proposals from the customer which would clear the debt faster than Npowers own yet they still refuse to use their "discretion". which led to the debt rising with their own implicit agreement. An MP is currently involved / trying to bring an agreement but at present with neither party willing to admit defeat it looks like the matter may well be fought out in the courts before too long.

Good luck

Premier_2

undaunted wrote: »

...
If longer but your debt is, or were to be reduced to, under £200 then you should be able to switch regardless. http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/energy-help-and-advice/your-energy-questions...

I think this is the link you planned to post
http://cfe.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/cfe.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=455&p_created=1096472098&p_sid=3GtMok3k&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD00NjUsNDY1JnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

It relates to PPMs only - the OP appears to have a credit meter

undaunted

Premier wrote: »

I think this is the link you planned to post
http://cfe.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/cfe.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=455&p_created=1096472098&p_sid=3GtMok3k&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD00NjUsNDY1JnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

It relates to PPMs only - the OP appears to have a credit meter

That was indeed the link I had meant to copy thankyou.

In the above case I refer to however, the Consumer had earlier contacted the Energy Ombudsman who whilst seeking to leave the customer tied to Npower in the meantime suggested that if the debt was reduced to £200 they be allowed to transfer. The customer also had a credit meter and not a pre payment method.

Premier_2

undaunted wrote: »

That was indeed the link I had meant to copy thankyou.

In the above case I refer to however, the Consumer had earlier contacted the Energy Ombudsman who whilst seeking to leave the customer tied to Npower in the meantime suggested that if the debt was reduced to £200 they be allowed to transfer. The customer also had a credit meter and not a pre payment method.

Sorry, that may be the case in that specific complaint (I can't say either way), but that is not normal practise and so shouldn't be posted as such.

I refer you to the link given earlier