Switching to EDF energy - unfair?

climbingrose_2

Hi everyone

Back in November I followed Martin's advice and switched to a cheaper online tarrif with EDF energy. I received a letter from them on 24 December confirming that I was now supplied by them and that it would take 4-8 weeks for my account to go live... all good, I thought - I'm on the online tarrif now .
I then received further letters on 26 March confirming that I had signed up to the online tarrif - didn't think too much of this as I knew I had signed up for this in November.

Now looking at switching again, I've been double-checking my bills. I've been charged their standard tarrif from 24 December-26 March. On reading the online tarrif t&c small print, it says "if you are a new customer, you may placed onto our standard tarrif until the transfer to your requested taffif is processed and a written confirmation has been provided by us... if you have not received such confirmation within 90 days of your application you should contact us..."

Ok, fair enough - I should have read the t&c and been able to pull out of the contract... but I didn't want to pull out of the contract, I only wanted the tarrif I'd signed up for!
How are they able to put me on the standard tarrif for a whole quarter when I signed up for the online tarrif?
Why start to supply my energy if they can't supply me on the tarrif I signed up to?

It also seems to me to be slightly convenient that though they said an account will be set up within 4-8 weeks, my account was set up just within the 90 days they indicate is 'the norm' (and co-incidentally covers the most expensive time of year)

If anyone else is planning on switching soon please be aware of this...

Any thoughts/advice?
Thanks

backfoot

Please read https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2910520=

There are other threads as well.

You should only be charged on the OS7 tariff.:)

Bambywamby

I am glad you can make sense of the EDF bills - I think they are horrendously complicated.

backfoot

Bambywamby wrote: »

I am glad you can make sense of the EDF bills - I think they are horrendously complicated.

I tend to agree, but I have looked into EDF's billing processes a great deal recently.

If you want to ask specifically about things which are confusing you,I will gladly have a go at answering as no doubt other members will.:)

BampaOwl

backfoot wrote: »

Please read <link removed to comply with rules>=

There are other threads as well.

You should only be charged on the OS7 tariff.:)

Me too. Initiated switch to EDF via uSwitch on 11/11/2010 - to OS 7, as I thought. Confirming letter from EDF 15/11/2010, no mention of "Standard Tariff". Actual switch dates 14/12/2010 for Electricity, 05/01/2010 for Gas. But I only went onto OS7 on 26th March 2011 - about 10 weeks after going "Dual Fuel". (A pattern here, @climbingrose?)

Having spotted (with some difficulty) the overcharge, I complained and received a goodwill payment of £23.23 - but I calculate they have still dunned me out of £86.80. And the same goes for many others, I guess. I am currently in e-correspondence with them.

(I can't actually find a copy of these Ts & Cs they refer to - I had a mountain of correspondence from them, but I suspect this may have been returned with the contract.)

@backfoot - you say "You should only be charged on the OS7 tariff." Who says this? I have looked at the linked forum, but I don't see anything conclusive - though I do note reference to an OFGEM fine.

backfoot

BampaOwl wrote: »

@backfoot - you say "You should only be charged on the OS7 tariff." Who says this? I have looked at the linked forum, but I don't see anything conclusive - though I do note reference to an OFGEM fine.

Someone in their wisdom has removed my link to helpful information within the forum.All I can suggest is you search on threads I have started.

I personally negotiated with EDF's customer services and legal department that customers would not be charged on the standard tariff.

More recently,EDF have tried to be proactive regarding customers affected by their glitch.They appear to be compensating them on a average braod brush basis.If that leaves you short of the correct adjustment,I can only suggest you fight the corner directly with them.

BampaOwl

backfoot wrote: »

Someone in their wisdom has removed my link to helpful information within the forum.

I had to remove the link myself (from the quote), otherwise the forum would not allow me to post (as a "newbie")!

backfoot wrote: »

I personally negotiated with EDF's customer services and legal department that customers would not be charged on the standard tariff.

Many thanks!

backfoot wrote: »

More recently,EDF have tried to be proactive regarding customers affected by their glitch.They appear to be compensating them on a average braod brush basis.If that leaves you short of the correct adjustment,I can only suggest you fight the corner directly with them.

Not so sure about this. In my case the "goodwill payment" covered only about 20% of the shortfall - my daughter is in the same boat (same dates), and has received nothing at all as yet. I am indeed fighting the corner!