Switching provider gas and elec

TOOMUCHWORRY

HI I am looking to change my gas and electricity for a new fixed rate. my fixed rate with scottish power ends sept ,11.
If I switch today (thinking of EDF, fixed until sept '12) when do I cancel my DD with scottish Power? I dont want to have a month where I am paying both companies.

Sorry if this is a really basic question but my mind is like fog atm trying to sort finances out.

Thanks.

Pincher

It's more important to take meters readings.

Canceling the DD early might mean you lose the DD (~6%) discount on your final bill.

I understand why you would want to. Cold caller got my mother to sign for a switch. The existing company over-estimated the final bill by £500! She only found out something is wrong when the meter reader came, and the machine refused to accept the actual reading.

macman

Switch when they have taken the final payment.
EDF allow you to pick the exact DD date you want during the month.
EDF FSv2 will be pulled very soon now, so i wouldn't delay.

jalexa

TOOMUCHWORRY wrote: »

If I switch today (thinking of EDF, fixed until sept '12) when do I cancel my DD with scottish Power? I dont want to have a month where I am paying both companies.

Are you an online SP customer? If so what is your current balance?

Which would influence my answer to your question.

BTW, believe it or not, its 2011 but Scottish Power still refunds final bill surpluses by cheque. Not sure how they expect final bill debit balances to be settled. That would also influence my answer to your question.

If you are online, send a email question to Scottish Power. If you like the answer use it.

TOOMUCHWORRY

my SP account for gas and electric is £451 in credit.

EDF are going to switch on 31st August so I will not have to pay exit charges.
My new DD with EDF will be on the 7th Sept so should i cancel DD on 31st aug with SP?

jalexa

TOOMUCHWORRY wrote: »

my SP account for gas and electric is £451 in credit.

Cripes! How did it get that high? SP should have reviewed that before now. I would phone up SP and seek agreement that since you are switching - and you have such a large credit balance (and BTW why wasn't it reviewed?) - the DD is cancelled or collections suspended.

If they "agree" cancel the DD with your bank.

They would unhelpful not to agree. Unfortunately I cannot say they are not unhelpful.


Edit: I take it you are talking "monthly" DD and have generated a recent online account update with accurate customer reads?

TOOMUCHWORRY

Edit: I take it you are talking "monthly" DD and have generated a recent online account update with accurate customer reads?[/QUOTE]


They have recently reduced my monthly DD from £167 to £134 because of the high credit amount.

I am going to put in current meter readings now to update account. Next bill due 19/8

TOOMUCHWORRY

right ok now i am £296 in credit.

jalexa

TOOMUCHWORRY wrote: »

right ok now i am £296 in credit.

I'd speak (nicely) with SP and steer them towards agreeing the DD is suspended or cancelled.

Give it a go. They might even agree. If not, there are still "hard-ball" options.

Have you studied this closely?

http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/support-centre/payments/direct-debit-explained.aspx

TOOMUCHWORRY

thanks, I took your advise but there was a 45 -60 mins queue for next available customer service assistant!

I will try again later. Thanks.

neilmcl

I'm thinking of changing myself from a variable rate to a fixed. Is this EDF one the best out there at the moment and can you set the date the switch happens?