tariff freeze when switching

riskaverse63

I have just switched from Southern Electric to EDF for gas and electricity. I thought i read somewhere on this website that as soon as you tell your supplier that you want to switch because of the rate increase they had to revert to billing you at the rate prior to the rate increase until your leaving date. I have just had my final bil for gas from SE and from Dec 1st to Jan 26th they have charged me at the higher rate. Was i imagining this rule?

Cardew

No you are quite correct.

You have 10 working days from when you received formal notification of the price increase to tell them you are leaving because of that price increase.

However you have to tell them that is why you are leaving.

If they have charged you the new rates, then they shoul re-bill your account.

norapower

Hi riskaverse63 In the last four years I have changed suppliers 3 times because of a price increase, each time I have told them why I am leaving, and each company has tried to impose the higher rate during the change over period. What you have to do is ring them point out the mistake and you will get a cheque back. Its a pain I know but it seems every company tries it on. EDF were the worst, 3 phone calls and six cheques before they got it right. Hope this helps

riskaverse63

Thanks both. I will certainly ring them to point out their "mistake"

Cardew

All companies have been guilty of this practice.

Bear in mind that when you switch you normally have no contact with the old company, everything is done through the new company, so to be fair I suspect some have not specifically told the old company they were leaving because of the increased charges.

Equally I am certain that many people have told the old company why they were leaving and they still got it wrong.

riskaverse63

I am just following up my initial question to say in Southern Electric's defence that they did refund the difference to me between the old tariff and the new tarrif. i called them to ask about it and they pointed out the section of my bill that showed the refund. It was a case of a complicated looking bill making it difficult for me to see that they had done this - billing me first at the new price and then refunding it. Why do bills for gas and electricity have to be so complicated...
Thanks again for all your help and if anyone else needs know about this "loophole" in the future, the information is here.
You need to send a letter to your energy company within 20 days of being informed of the price rise, saying you are not accepting the price rise.

Once you have sent the letter you must then make switching arrangements within 15 days.

The switch itself will take about six weeks, but in the interim you will stay on your old tariff.

In total the whole process could take well over three months, saving you some serious money.