Bully Tactics By Npower!

woodruffsdad_2

My record in business is (he says boastfully!) exemplary. But I do confess to have taken little regard of our Npower rates as my office consists of 2 rooms with only 3 night storage heaters, lights and power for standard office equipment.

My "clanger" was in assuming that when we were switched from domestic to business tariffs we had entered into a new contract. After all we had agreed to an increase in our electricity prices.

Why did Npower not inform us that we were out of contract at the time we switched tariffs?

Yes, I hold my hands up to the fact that I did not scrutinise our dealings with Npower with a fine toothcomb but I still maintain that they were negligent in informing us of our true contractual position and that their offer to scrap the high bill and re-invoice at standard rate is nothing short of blackmail in order to force us to sign a new contract.

Nonetheless, this week I have agreed to a new one year contract with Npower at standard business rates in order to solve the immediate problem but you can be sure that in February 2012 we will be leaving their clutches for ever!

Sterling

WoodruffsDad, as you can see, backfoot is more than ready to assist you to get to the bottom of why Npower’s bill was so very high. In all sincerity, I would urge you to give him the information he requests, because his analysis will, I’m sure, be of much benefit to you. For my part, I hope my post 44 was of use.

DirectDebacle has accused me (yawn) of having no respect for your business skills (post 50) but that is not the case at all. On the other hand, DirectDebacle appears to imply that you are incompetent and I see nothing to justify such a comment.

It was obvious to me that you are running your business perfectly well, and that (as happens) you assumed that Npower would play fair, and you therefore departed from standard business practice of (as you say) scrutinising the situation with a fine toothcomb.

DirectDebacle

woodruffsdad wrote: »

My record in business is (he says boastfully!) exemplary. But I do confess to have taken little regard of our Npower rates as my office consists of 2 rooms with only 3 night storage heaters, lights and power for standard office equipment.

My "clanger" was in assuming that when we were switched from domestic to business tariffs we had entered into a new contract. After all we had agreed to an increase in our electricity prices.

Why did Npower not inform us that we were out of contract at the time we switched tariffs?

Yes, I hold my hands up to the fact that I did not scrutinise our dealings with Npower with a fine toothcomb but I still maintain that they were negligent in informing us of our true contractual position and that their offer to scrap the high bill and re-invoice at standard rate is nothing short of blackmail in order to force us to sign a new contract.

Nonetheless, this week I have agreed to a new one year contract with Npower at standard business rates in order to solve the immediate problem but you can be sure that in February 2012 we will be leaving their clutches for ever!

I believe you have done the right thing.

I would like to bring the following to your attention for future reference.

Your 'clanger', was when you first moved into your offices and failed to change the contract from domestic to business. Now you may feel that over the several years that this situation existed you have done well, in managerial terms, by saving your company money.

However the fact is that such acts (or omissions) can be regarded as obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception. This is covered by the The Theft Act, 1968 and The Fraud Act, 2006. It is a criminal offence.

It is no different to somone who fails to disclose a material fact to an insurer in order to receive a lower premium or avoid an increase had the fact been notified as required.

As a manager of a small company and the person in charge of energy contracts it would be expected of you to be aware that you were being incorrectly billed and to have notified your supplier of the fact.

This 'clanger', had you dug your heels in with npower, would have put you and your company in a very difficult position, to say the least.

You will probably get away with it. Make sure it is not happening with any other of your contracts.

undaunted

Sterling wrote: »

It was obvious to me that you are running your business perfectly well, and that (as happens) you assumed that Npower would play fair, and you therefore departed from standard business practice of (as you say) scrutinising the situation with a fine toothcomb.

Whats that saying about making an !!! out of u and me ?

Never assume anything & certainly not fair play when dealing with Npower!;)