Pay too much on your Gas & Elec Direct Debit? Ask for a reduction on your purchases

middletonr

Just had a session with NPower, a small note on my latest invoice notified me of a 44% increase in my DD, only 2 months after i had voluntarily asked to increase my DD with them.

Had the standard "computer says no" argument 3 times before the call handler agreed to reduce it, so it is possible. What i hate is they just jack it up and we then have to pay to call them, listen to their patronising responses before they will reduce it.

I'm waiting for my £60 off at the end of the year and then leave. I'm going to Ecotricity, if I have to pay a stack of money it might aswell be on the right sort of renewables and not NPower Juice.

BTW used the "email the boss" to complain, found some names of chief exec on their website and guessed their email. Has worked before with other major companies.

BestFootForward_2

I switched to NPower 4 months ago. After four months paying £32pm, I was £53 in credit. I phoned them last night. I asked them to reduce it. They said "no", it was the end of summer and that it would help me over winter. I told them I was overpaying by 70% (actually it was more than that), so they asked how much I thought it should be. I told them £25. They agreed and will also refund the £53.

Job done by insisting, and pointing out how I was overpaying. I recommend keep insisting (nicely) until they either agree, or get a manager involved.

realaledrinker

I always calculate my DD amount so that I end up with about a Nil balance at the end of August. That way, I always end up owing them except once a year when my low summer usage allows the DDs to catch up with the amount due.

Why let the power companies have an permanent interest free loan from you?

savememorecashmartin

Had a similar 'we're not reducing your DD' with BG recently. We had only just defected from NPwr but already built up £55 or so credit as we had not used ANY gas since May but BG we're, you've guessed it, still taking our money.

My wife rung them and the fella she spoke to flatly refused to refund the money, stating that 'we would need it when winter comes!' Cheeky monkey, it's a shame she didn't get his name but there you go.

It all ended happily, however when I spoke to someone else who couldn't have been more helpful and credited us the money back straight away and reduced the DD. That was a bit more like it.

It makes me cross to think that these companies sell us DD as a good idea (which in principle it is) and then abuse the access we have given them to our bank accounts by taking more money than is due to them, then refusing to give it back - imagine if your mortgage company did the same thing, 'We're putting up your mortgage payment because the interest rate might go up soon.' Then to add insult to injury they tell us they've taken it for our own good! What's that all about?

Sorry that's turned into a bit of rant, hasn't it? Gets off soapbox and wanders off in a huff. :-)

Cardew

savememorecashmartin wrote:

Had a similar 'we're not reducing your DD' with BG recently. We had only just defected from NPwr but already built up £55 or so credit as we had not used ANY gas since May but BG we're, you've guessed it, still taking our money.

My wife rung them and the fella she spoke to flatly refused to refund the money, stating that 'we would need it when winter comes!' Cheeky monkey, it's a shame she didn't get his name but there you go.

It all ended happily, however when I spoke to someone else who couldn't have been more helpful and credited us the money back straight away and reduced the DD. That was a bit more like it.

It makes me cross to think that these companies sell us DD as a good idea (which in principle it is) and then abuse the access we have given them to our bank accounts by taking more money than is due to them, then refusing to give it back - imagine if your mortgage company did the same thing, 'We're putting up your mortgage payment because the interest rate might go up soon.' Then to add insult to injury they tell us they've taken it for our own good! What's that all about?

Sorry that's turned into a bit of rant, hasn't it? Gets off soapbox and wanders off in a huff. :-)

Sorry but I don't agree with you - or at least the outrage you show.

I think you will find it well documented all the Utility companies are owed far more than they owe.

To me it is perfectly normal that I am in credit at the end of the Summer. I then use up this credit balance and finish in debit by Spring. Summer clears this debit balance - and round we go again.

£55 credit for 3 months loses you 50 pence in interest. If you go £55 in debit this winter will you be rushing to pay off that debt?

sweetnest

wish i was in credit after the summer

just had my higest bill yet, and it says actual meter reader

summer months, no lights on and havent used the tumble dryer since March, washing machine 4 times a week

pay £30 a month direct debit

was £60 in arrears, now i owe £209 !!!!!!!

i can see them trying to put my direct debit up, but how on earth do they expect people on fixed incomes to afford the increase?