2 Suppliers at once? - Spark Energy Ltd

SuperBOB

I moved into a new flat a few months ago and there was some confusion over which electricity provider I was with.

ScottishPower were historically the provider - but upon moving in another provider seemed forced upon me by the letting agency. I may/may not have agreed to this at the time.

Recently Scottishpower & Spark Energy ltd started sending me bills for the same thing. I contacted both suppliers - who insisted they were my supplier. I decided to cancel the direct debt (after notifying them) to Spark Energy Ltd. They confirmed it had been cancelled. I then emailed them and asked for a refund for what I had paid so far and/or an explanation as to what was going on and how I could resolve the confusion.

They replied a number of times, then the replies stopped.

Today I received a bill for £500 from them! It says if I do not pay it within 7 days it will increase by 15% (£75) and get passed to a debt collection company.

The letter has very little detail on it...

Does anyone have any suggestions for how I should reply to this letter? And how I could resolve the confusion.

Cheers,
Dave

Update: I re-read the letter and VAT is calculated at 5%? Why is that? Also the period its for is only 1 week. £500 over 1 week seems excessive even for me.

Ignite

If you're still in London, give the EDF MPAS number a call on 0845 600 0102 and they will be able to tell you who the suppliers are for your electricity. Once you know this, you can start sorting things out. If they say that Scottish Power are the suppliers, inform Spark Energy of this and tell them that you are making it an official complaint. Ask for a reference number for this complaint and follow it up in writing. If they are the suppliers, you need to find out when the change happened and then complain to Scottish Power along the lines I've already mentioned. If you are with Spark, clear the debt ASAP and move. They are meant to be rather expensive as they are also paying commission to your letting agency!

Hazzanet

SuperBOB wrote: »

Update: I re-read the letter and VAT is calculated at 5%? Why is that?

Domestic energy VAT is charged at 5%.

Scottish_Power

Hi SuperBOB

First thing to check is the Meter Point Access Number (MPAN) each company are billing you for. You will likely find that both companies are billing you for different supply numbers. Also check the meter serial number on your meter in the property and find out from MPAS which MPAN is correct for your address and also linked to your correct meter serial number.

You can check this your self or any of the companies can do this for you. If you want me to check it, just send me an email to [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] and I will investigate for you.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

Francis01_2

If you are a person who is using electricity in bulk then you would be able to avail discount from the electricity suppliers. You have to find the supplier who is offering the best discount prices. If your electricity supplier is not proving you cheap electricity when compared to competitors then you will be able to shift anytime that you like. You should go through the contract properly before choosing any electricity supplier.

SuperBOB

Thanks for the reply guys. Scottish power rep! I am sending an email about some a short period of billing which it appears I was with another supplier (just a week it seems!).

The other supplier was largely in the wrong, and after checking they forgot to put in the start reading and billed me for all the usage that meter has ever had. Rather than what I owe...

Cheers all

Scottish_Power

Hi SuperBOB

I look forward to receiving your email so that I can investigate further.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

davidgmmafan

I hope for your sake Spark don't turn out to be the actual supplier. Do a quick search for reviews of that company and you'll see what I mean.

SuperBOB

To provide some conclusion for people who might have an issue with Spark in the future...

Spark assumed my meter was at 0 when I moved in. So the £500 bill was completely wrong. Eventually they went down to £10, which I have now paid them and I will never revisit
that company again.

dogshome

Hi SuperBoB - Glad you got a good result.
There is quite a pile of anecdotal evidence that Letting Agents who have a 'Management' contract with the landlord, (ie. Collect the rents and maintain the property ), are doing cash payment deals with Spark to switch the Gas/Elec to Spark whilst a property is in limbo between outgoing and incoming tenants.
Your scenario fits this game and hopefully the £10 Spark got from you was a great deal less than any kick-back paid to the letting agent