Concerns over Scottish Power leaving fee

isushi

Hello,

I notified Scottish Power I was leaving on 29/07/2011. They stated from then I have 15 days for the new energy supplier EDF to contact them otherwise I will be charged the standard rate and the leaving fee.

I have done the switch on 30/07/2011 using beatthatquote as £35 seemed the best cashback at that time.

However, I am starting to worry as I have not had an email or letter from EDF yet (only the confirmation from beatthatquote). I have phoned EDF and the switch has not appeared on their system yet. They have also stated that because of a 12 day cooling down period they doubt they would contact Scottish Power within 15 days.

I have phoned Scottish Power and they have stated that 15 days is used as they would normally expect to be contacted by a new energy supplier before then. I have told them what EDF have said and the person I spoke to at Scottish Power simply stated if they do not hear from EDF within those 15 days I will be charged at the standard rate and leaving fees.

Also I pay for the gas and electricity at two houses so the cost of being charged a leaving fee for both properties will add up to a lot.

Is there anything I can do to avoid it? It feels unfair that I have contacted Scottish Power, done the switch, contacted EDF and Scottish Power and could still get charged a leaving fee and at the standard rates from 01/08/2011.

Quentin

The Scottish Power rep has mislead you.

The deal is contact from the new supplier within 15 working days.

isushi

Thanks for the clarification. That has made me more relaxed about it. I just have to hope it is long enough for EDF to contact Scottish Power. Still concerned after reports on the forum of EDF switches taking a while. But I will give it a week before I panic.

undaunted

Did you earlier sign / enter into a contract agreeing to pay such fees?

Quentin

isushi wrote: »

Thanks for the clarification. That has made me more relaxed about it. I just have to hope it is long enough for EDF to contact Scottish Power. Still concerned after reports on the forum of EDF switches taking a while. But I will give it a week before I panic.

There will be lots of publicity should SP renege on the grounds they haven't been contacted in time!

And there is nothing you could do to influence this, so their terms won't hold up!

(All switches take longer than 15 working days from the start!)

isushi

undaunted - Yes, I did, however, they sent an email stating that if we wish to switch we are able to without being charged the leaving fee.

Although as Quentin is stating I am starting to get worried that I will be charged either way as I do not think EDF will be contacting Scottish Power within 15 working days.

Has anyone else had/ have the same problem?

Any advice to what to say to Scottish Power to convince them not to charge me if EDF does not contact them in time?

Like I said before, it seems unfair that I have contacted Scottish Power and informed them I was leaving, done the switch, contacted EDF and Scottish Power and could still get charged a leaving fee and at the standard rates from 01/08/2011.

matthew57

I did the switch to EDF on 20 July - got the "sorry you're leaving" email from SP today. 13 working days, so no need to panic yet.

jalexa

isushi wrote: »

Any advice to what to say to Scottish Power to convince them not to charge me if EDF does not contact them in time?

Do nothing. Wait until the switch is complete and if SP charge ask (nicely) why it was levied. *If* they refuse a reimburesment on the grounds that Edf didn't inform them within 15 working days, launch a formal complaint with Edf, seeking reinbursement due to their tardy process. If Edf refuse and don't convince you why, refer the issue to the Energy Ombudsman. That doesn't deal with SP "misinforming" you but it will all come out in the wash, cost you nothing but one or other of the suppliers a packet.

Simples.

But it won't be quick.

isushi

Okay starting to get very concerned and on the phone to EDF as I write. During this last week I have received a copy of my contract from EDF for only one property. The other property I have heard nothing about it from EDF despite the confirmation from beatthatquote.

If Scottish Power's 15 working days not to be charged for leaving includes the day I called I have until the end of 18/08/2011 for EDF to contact Scottish Power about both properties so I do not get charged any leaving fees.

EDIT - NOOOOOOOO!!!!! EDF do not have anything on their system for the 2nd property!!!! And said even if they start one now that they will not be able to contact Scottish Power for it before the 18/08/2011!!!!

Going to contact beatthatquote and see what happened on their side...

Any advice or does this mean though no fault of my own I am going to end up paying a leaving fee for one of the properties?

EDIT - Arrgghhh!!!!! Beat That Quote phone lines are not open during the weekend!

Any advice? Will contact Scottish Power and see what they say....

EDIT - Arrgghhh!!!!! Scottish Power call centres are closed till Monday as well!!!!!!!!

*faints*

Any advice about what to do?

Should I phone EDF and do the switch through them and lose out on cashback, etc From quidco and comparison websites like Beat That Quote. Or wait until Monday and contact Beat That Quote and Scottish Power?

Premier_2

isushi wrote: »

Okay starting to get very concerned and on the phone to EDF as I write. During this last week I have received a copy of my contract from EDF for only one property. The other property I have heard nothing about it from EDF despite the confirmation from beatthatquote.

If Scottish Power's 15 working days not to be charged for leaving includes the day I called I have until the end of 18/08/2011 for EDF to contact Scottish Power about both properties so I do not get charged any leaving fees.

EDIT - NOOOOOOOO!!!!! EDF do not have anything on their system for the 2nd property!!!! And said even if they start one now that they will not be able to contact Scottish Power for it before the 18/08/2011!!!!

Going to contact beatthatquote and see what happened on their side...

Any advice or does this mean though no fault of my own I am going to end up paying a leaving fee for one of the properties?

EDIT - Arrgghhh!!!!! Beat That Quote phone lines are not open during the weekend!

Any advice? Will contact Scottish Power and see what they say....

EDIT - Arrgghhh!!!!! Scottish Power call centres are closed till Monday as well!!!!!!!!

*faints*

Any advice about what to do?

Should I phone EDF and do the switch through them and lose out on cashback, etc From quidco and comparison websites like Beat That Quote. Or wait until Monday and contact Beat That Quote and Scottish Power?

SP call centres were open until 13.00h today

As for what EDF told you, that is what I was going to say.

Refer to the Serenity Prayer for direction, should you need it.

rising_from_the_ashes

TBH if SP do levy the charge, I think you'll have to take it up with EDF - it is them that have failed to contact SP in time, SP have done nothing wrong!

I have to say, I'd be less than impressed with the level of service provided by EDF - if this is what they're like when you're in the process of switching to them - heaven knows what they'll be like once your "in their clutches"!