Cost of taking Complaint to Energy Ombudsman?

tipsychick

Hi everyone

Like so many, I had/am still having a complete disaster of a transfer to EDF's OSV7, which goes back to late last year.

It's now 8 weeks since I originally complained in writing to EDF and the matter is still not resolved. I know I can take my complaint to the Energy Ombudsman at 8 weeks without a deadlock letter. Needless to say, EDF have never actually responded to the complaint in writing. I've just had a couple of totally unsatisfactory telephone calls from their equally hopeless complaints dept.

I was just wondering if anyone knew roughly how much it would cost EDF if the Energy Ombudsman were to investigate the complaint? I know it costs the bank, etc. £400-£500 if a complaint is taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service, even if they don't eventually find in your favour.

At this stage, it would be very useful to know as a bargaining chip in working out how much compensation EDF are going to pay out.

chanz4

If taking it to the eo, your compo will be reduced ad it costs about £250 a time

tipsychick

So it will actually cost EDF £250 if I bring the claim to the Energy Ombudsman, will it?

There are actually some examples of complaints on the EO's website but I thought the amount of compensation a little on the low side, or at least it would be for the huge amount of time and inconvenience it's taken so far.

backfoot

chanz4 wrote: »

If taking it to the eo, your compo will be reduced ad it costs about £250 a time

Could you please explain this? Why?

chanz4

well if you settle prior to it maybe a higher compo, why would any company pay more if they have more fees to pay they wont. People need to get out of the complaint culture, the fos and eo charges but where do you think the money comes from?

Higher bills!

backfoot

chanz4 wrote: »

well if you settle prior to it maybe a higher compo, why would any company pay more if they have more fees to pay they wont. People need to get out of the complaint culture, the fos and eo charges but where do you think the money comes from?

Higher bills!

Why? If your claim is properly presented and stands up to challenge,then the Ombudsman will award what is due.

People take claims to the various Ombudsman Services because they have reached an impasse over a dispute.It's nothing to do with a claims culture,it's seeking remedies for things which have been done wrong and cost customers money,time and inconvenience.

Such procedures in a competitive market come off the bottom line of a faulty party. The more claims they have the less they become competitive.

undaunted

I'd broadly agree with Backfoot - though I think Ombudsman are perhaps inclined not to be over generous with compensation.

As to fee structures, taken from Ofgem report in the link below

Fee structure
4.24 The costs of the Energy Ombudsman Service are met by Members through membership and case fees. In 2009/10 the case fee was set at £334 per case considered whilst annual membership fees were £61,000 for each of the large energy suppliers, £16,500 in total for network companies and £150 per company for small suppliers. In the interests of simplicity the case fees are clearly not cost reflective, as the case fees for some of the networks complaints requiring expert assistance for resolution, are higher. As far as we understand from our discussions, this is not perceived by Members as an issue.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Cp/Cr/Documents1/Independent%20review%20of%20the%20Energy%20Ombudsman.pdf