First EDF Direct Debit

babyfruitella

I started the switch from BG to EDF on 22 July. MY BG direct debit comes out of my account on 22nd of each month. How long does it generally take for the first EDF DD to come out after starting a switch? I'm just a little wary that both will be taken this month.

brewerdave

Started switching 8th June; electricity switch completed 6th July -1st DD taken -22nd July ; gas switch completed 14th July (I think!!) DD to be taken today.
On that basis you shouldn't be seeing a DD for EDF before the end of August - unless your switch proceeds extremely quickly !!- but appears to be ~ 15 days after switch completed - you SHOULD receive a notification in advance anyway.

babyfruitella

Ah ok. Thats good then. I did request a 22nd direct debit date, so maybe it'll be September before its taken then. The direct debit has been set up on my account already.

jalexa

babyfruitella wrote: »

I started the switch from BG to EDF on 22 July. MY BG direct debit comes out of my account on 22nd of each month. How long does it generally take for the first EDF DD to come out after starting a switch?

I can only say how my switch processed but I initiated the switch on 9 June, and I received an email on 5 July notifying me there was a MyAccount message. The message was "your payment arrangement" and informed me an initial electrical payment would be collected on 25 July with subsequent regular payments on the 15th of each subsequent month as I had requested.

A few days later I received basically the same direct debit email/myAccount message adding in the gas element to the regular payment.

OK a few points of advice. You mentioned your existing DD date (with BG). I liaised with my "losing supplier" and agreed that they would not take any further regular direct debits. I kept the direct debit arrangement in place to allow the supplier to either collect the closing balance and/or return any credit. BTW not all suppliers can return credits by direct credit and have to send a cheque, something I find astonishing in this day and age. That agreement worked fine but a cannot say if BG will be both as helpful and efficient.

In summary, 3 to 4 weeks before the "payment arrangement" message and about 5 weeks before the inital electricity only DD payment. So you have a few weeks to go.

Whatever, the dates should be in your MyAccount "your payment arrangement" message when it arrives.

babyfruitella

Ok, thanks for that. As long as I get prior notice from them so I can move funds in to my bill paying account, thats fine. I take it I shouldn't cancel my British Gas direct debit until confirmation the switch has been completed?

jalexa

babyfruitella wrote: »

I take it I shouldn't cancel my British Gas direct debit until confirmation the switch has been completed?

To answer that question literally I suggest not to cancel the arrangement until BG have collected any closing balance - if that is how BG collect any closing balance. Some suppliers however suggest the direct debit arrangement is cancelled and send a final account to be settled by cheques or debit card payment. Not sure about BG. Ask.

Whether you ask and are able to agree that BG stops collecting the regular payment is up to you and may be influenced by whether there is currently a credit or debit balance on the BG account and perhaps also whether BG return any closing balance by direct credit (to the direct debit account) or by cheque.

I would say not to contact BG regarding their payments until they have been notified by Edf as evidenced by a "sorry you are leaving" call or letter.

babyfruitella

My electricity account is now showing as closed with British Gas & is in credit. Does that mean I can cancel the DD now? My gas one is still open at the moment. How much more time after the electricity switch does it take for the gas account to switch in general?

jalexa

babyfruitella wrote: »

My electricity account is now showing as closed with British Gas & is in credit. Does that mean I can cancel the DD now?

Did BG colllect a single payment or seperate gas and electricity payments? How many DD mandates are registered? The same or different account numbers?

So can't meaningfully answer. Ask BG if you are concerned.

Also not sure if BG return credit by Direct Credit to the Direct Debit account or by cheque. If Direct Credit you would be best not to cancel. Be alert however to regular payments being claimed.

I see no harm in asking BG.

My gas one is still open at the moment. How much more time after the electricity switch does it take for the gas account to switch in general?

In my case gas was 12 day later. Dunno why.

babyfruitella

They collected 2 seperate payments. I spoke to them & they advised me that my last day with them for electricity is 21 August, which is the day before my normal DD would be due. He told me there was no problem with me cancelling it, so i've done that & will wait for the final bill. With regards to the gas, BG could see nothing on the account to suggest that I was leaving them & told me to contact EDF. I rang EDF & they said the move is in progress & they'll take over my gas on 31 July, so heaven knows why the BG guy couldn't see it.