Energy companies don't refund until £150 in credit

jamesd

dunstonh wrote: »

Are we getting to the point where the providers have to assume the consumer is totally stupid and incapable of thought?

Mine does. They used an estimated usage for the coming year for gas that's the same as for the current year. The one with record-breaking low temperatures that aren't likely to be repeated.

scott_lithgows

jamesd wrote: »

Mine does. They used an estimated usage for the coming year for gas that's the same as for the current year. The one with record-breaking low temperatures that aren't likely to be repeated.

Is that the very cold winter of 2010/11 or the very cold winter of 2009/10 thats not likely to be repeated?
Scottish spring of 2011 aint much better.....

jamesd

It's the one that had a much higher gas bill than the previous one.

cloud_dog

mongmoney wrote: »

Can any of you mathematicians work out how much the companies earn on our cash if they keep it and don't automatically refund it until it gets to £150.
I am disgusted by this practise. Is there any chance someone at MSE can check all the energy companies policies on credit refunds?
The consumer is not informed that they are allowed to request refunds, and customer advisors don't tell us either. We could be losing out on alot of cash over time.
Mongy

I find the title misleading...... They may have a local policy of not wanting to refund payments under £150 but..... Its your money if you want it back you can have it back.

If people are not happy with the recalculated monthly amount then ring them up and ask them to verify the change otherwise request it is set to a more acceptable level (as many here have pointed out). I do this every year with E.On.

dunstonh wrote: »

Are we getting to the point where the providers have to assume the consumer is totally stupid and incapable of thought?

Spot on.

Thrugelmir

Reaper wrote: »

If the average over the year is £75 and you could have earnt, say, 3% on it then after tax you lose about £1.80

Explains why there's a level at which refunds aren't made. As not cost effective to review and refund.