EDF bill rip-off

eurmalian

It's also probably worth mentioning that the OP never actually complained about the reading being estimated. Just about the fact that the estimated read was patently wrong. The discussion about who is responsible for giving a read wasn't part of what they were asking at all and seems to have only occurred because a couple of people heard the clipety clop of hoofs going over their bridge and so draged themselves out to see what tasty tasty arguments may happen. Then finding that the OPs actual issue (the energy company trying to claim they use more gas in April than in February) was eminently sensible, they had to move things on and create an argument by berating the OP for something that they were never actually claiming (issues about estimated bills rather than accurate reads).

It basically seems to be an attitude that is frustratingly common on these forums. Company has over charged you? It's your own fault for not checking. You've been struck by lightning on a clear sunny day? Silly you for not standing beside a lightning rod at all times. Barbarian raiders battered down your front door and made off with your children and money? Well, you should have expected it, reinforced the door and kept an army ready. I don't think that it's a 'defend the companies' attitude so much as a 'you must be wrong, no matter what' outlook...

Devils-Advocate_3

I think there's got to be a balance. Yes, I think that consumers do need to take some sort of responsibility for their own account management. Such as checking their statements regularly to see if their direct debit is covering them, reading their meter regularly (if possible - do not forget some people will be physically unable to do so),etc....BUT surely it is also up to these big companies who SPECIALISE in the energy industry to help these customers, keep them informed of changes etc, and to at least reasonably regularly check for things like accurate meter readings. All small things, but all these kinds of things will help make a customer's experience with the company a better experience than it might otherwise have been, in turn leading to the customer showing loyalty to the company for taking the initiative and helping them out!
Not everyone is capable of thinking for themselves, not everyone is an energy expert - hence people rely on companies to help do the thinking for them when it comes to their energy bills. Surely this isn't too much to ask?
A balance needs to be struck.

backfoot

intermynan wrote: »

Nope, but I bet you're one of those idiot customers who think they don't have to do anything for themselves! :beer:

I'd suggest that you may want to read up on my posting history.

I think some other informed posters have confirmed that your 100% correct statement is probably a bit off the mark (by around 100%).:o

If you are going to be consistently horribly rude and critical of posters asking for advice, would you please ask Kim Yeovil's permission. Kim has considerable experience and does it with wit, real venom and usually some pertinent points, none of which have been apparent in your contributions,especially the latter.

Flem

zagfles wrote: »

I don't think they're going to make a fuss about adjusting the reading, they accepted that it was ridiculous to assume more daily usage in March-May than Feb.

I'd have thought energy companies would have to use a formula to apportion estimates over the seasons rather than whatever suits them...

How many other customers will they have done the same to that probably won’t even notice. It’s called ripping off your customers.

intermynan

Check your meter regularly, and submit regular readings. This will prevent this kind of 'rip-off'.

backfoot

intermynan wrote: »

Check your meter regularly, and submit regular readings. This will prevent this kind of 'rip-off'.

Flem wrote: »

How many other customers will they have done the same to that probably won’t even notice. It’s called ripping off your customers.

The issue relates to those cutomer's who haven't submitted readings,which will be the majority. Indeed for many EDF customer's their new online customer service and billing system is not yet available.

How they have apportioned the units for the OP is a very good question. Is it done individually based on his previous consumption pattern or based on consumption patterns of a wider population of customers?

The OP could ask for a written explanation of what exactly has been done.

If EDF have used percentages based on consumption patterns for a previous year,without taking account of the particularly cold early winter period,then I think, they could be accused of some sort of systematic rip off.

Any price rise is subject to this potential problem and I believe it is incumbent on the Supplier to look carefully at their systems and algorithms for estimation to ensure that they implement their price change fairly and effectively.

Does anyone know how EDF do it?

backfoot

Taken from the ERA COP on Accurate Billing:

How do energy suppliers calculate estimated meter readings?

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]They will estimate a customer’s energy consumption by considering the amount of energy the customer has used previously, the amount of energy used by other customers who occupy similar types of homes and whether it’s a time of year when a customer is likely to use more or less energy.

The likelihood is therefore that no account of current year's seasonality and weather conditions has been considered. As in the OP's example this will result in an overcharge of units at the higher post increase price rate.

EDF will be happy to amend queried accounts but I imagine they wouldn't volunteer any global adjustment.
[/FONT][/FONT]

eurmalian

backfoot wrote: »

Any price rise is subject to this potential problem and I believe it is incumbent on the Supplier to look carefully at their systems and algorithms for estimation to ensure that they implement their price change fairly and effectively.

Does anyone know how EDF do it?

Giant dart board, blindfold, calculator?

backfoot

eurmalian wrote: »

Giant dart board, blindfold, calculator?

:rotfl:Not that much science. Doubt they have calculators. Replaced by their all singing ,dancing, new online system.

(which isn't available yet).

zagfles

eurmalian wrote: »

It's also probably worth mentioning that the OP never actually complained about the reading being estimated. Just about the fact that the estimated read was patently wrong. The discussion about who is responsible for giving a read wasn't part of what they were asking at all and seems to have only occurred because a couple of people heard the clipety clop of hoofs going over their bridge and so draged themselves out to see what tasty tasty arguments may happen. Then finding that the OPs actual issue (the energy company trying to claim they use more gas in April than in February) was eminently sensible, they had to move things on and create an argument by berating the OP for something that they were never actually claiming (issues about estimated bills rather than accurate reads).

It basically seems to be an attitude that is frustratingly common on these forums. Company has over charged you? It's your own fault for not checking. You've been struck by lightning on a clear sunny day? Silly you for not standing beside a lightning rod at all times. Barbarian raiders battered down your front door and made off with your children and money? Well, you should have expected it, reinforced the door and kept an army ready. I don't think that it's a 'defend the companies' attitude so much as a 'you must be wrong, no matter what' outlook...

Just been :rotfl:reading this thread! Some people are just too stupid to get point, as you summed up above.

My meter was read in early Feb, and again in late May. So all this waffle about how often the supplier is obliged to read my meter has no relevance to my issue at all. They are reading it regularly. My bill had an accurate read at the start date and an accurate read on the end date.

It is the estimate in the middle, on the date of the price change, I had a problem with.