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Not informed of energy price rises
Hi, I didn't want to start a whole new thread about this as its a pretty simple question; but I couldn't find an existing thread that covered it, or that it seemed appropriate to add it to.
Basically I know that a year or so ago it became mandatory for banks (I know this because I was working for one) to notify customers of any detrimental change to their interest rate on all products (i.e. MTG increases or savings decreases). I thought this was the case (from before that time) with energy bills, aren't your supplier obliged to notify you directly when they change/intend to change the prices for the tarriff you are on? And is just sending a letter saying 'your payments need to increase' (I have arrears on the account) enough to cover this when it says nothing about the why they want more off me?
Basically I know that a year or so ago it became mandatory for banks (I know this because I was working for one) to notify customers of any detrimental change to their interest rate on all products (i.e. MTG increases or savings decreases). I thought this was the case (from before that time) with energy bills, aren't your supplier obliged to notify you directly when they change/intend to change the prices for the tarriff you are on? And is just sending a letter saying 'your payments need to increase' (I have arrears on the account) enough to cover this when it says nothing about the why they want more off me?
Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
- Mark Twain
Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.
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They do, but they used to be allowed to do it after the increase (up to 50 days?). That has now changed.No free lunch, and no free laptop
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They do, but they used to be allowed to do it after the increase (up to 50 days?). That has now changed.
Do you know how long ago?
Not that it matters really, as I was never informed at any point over the last two years (with the exception of being told the new prices when I changed to a new tariff).Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.- Mark TwainArguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.0 -
Not that it matters really, as I was never informed at any point over the last two years (with the exception of being told the new prices when I changed to a new tariff).
If you were told the new prices of your new tariff, and you remain on that tariff, then maybe this letter you have got regarding the monthly payments going up is nothing to do with a price increase.
You say you have built up arrears. This could be because your monthly payment needs increasing to cover your use.0 -
If you were told the new prices of your new tariff, and you remain on that tariff, then maybe this letter you have got regarding the monthly payments going up is nothing to do with a price increase.
You say you have built up arrears. This could be because your monthly payment needs increasing to cover your use.
No, I have changed tariff twice since moving in here, and both times they have properly given me all the new prices; that's fine.
I had built up arrears when I was unemployed not long after first moving in, and had an arrangement that I was (over)paying to clear them. I keep track of my own usage, so my monthly payment is always more than my average monthly usage, and then arrears payments on top of this (I make two separate payments; easier for me to manage).
Each time I got a letter from them it just said "your payments need to increase, please increase payments to 'x' " (I abhor DD); no mention of increases to their prices; I had to phone them to find out about the reason for the letter, and therefore to discover the new prices. Most recently I only discovered the new prices because I was studying and comparing my spread-sheet's calculations to those of my most recent bill.
Does including the current prices on the quarterly bill (even though I only access this online) count as notifying me of a change, even though this change is not brought to my attention?
EDIT: I am not on a fixed-rate tariff, just to be clear.Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.- Mark TwainArguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.0 -
....
Does including the current prices on the quarterly bill (even though I only access this online) count as notifying me of a change, even though this change is not brought to my attention?
EDIT: I am not on a fixed-rate tariff, just to be clear.
Check the Terms and Conditions for the tariff you are now on, if it is an online managed account, it is likely that you have agreed to be notified via the online account web page and/or via email / text whichever option you selected.This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0 -
Check the Terms and Conditions for the tariff you are now on, if it is an online managed account, it is likely that you have agreed to be notified via the online account web page and/or via email / text whichever option you selected.
Good point, I'll check: although it isn't an online tariff (the online tariff is cheaper, but mandated a DD), I just use the online access for convenience. I guess i still may have agreed to some T/C that says it. Even so, I have not been notified by email, text or phone call; and no bill or online screen has drawn my attention to a change in prices...Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.- Mark TwainArguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.0 -
I see nothing in the standard tems, online management terms or product specific terms that lays out anything to do with how they contact you, only that they just tell me of any change that will affect me detrimentally.
I'm with eOn as I probably should have mentioned earlier, Track & Save 11, just if that helps anyone...Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.- Mark TwainArguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.0 -
So you are on the Track and Save tariff and hence your prices are quote:The energy prices and the E.ON Track and Save plan end date are set out in Your Plan. This plan provides a guarantee that your bills will be cheaper than British Gas’ Standard bills for existing customers until the date set out in Your Plan.
So, doesn't that say you have already been notified of what happens and hence they do not need to inform you againThis is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0 -
So, doesn't that say you have already been notified of what happens and hence they do not need to inform you again
No.
The tariff described is a "guaranteed discount" form of tariff. Until quite recently the supply Regulations were not being applied as Ofgem intended, however there is now Ofgem guidance on the issue here...
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/Compl/pricechange/Documents1/Guidance%20letter%20on%20SLC%2023.pdf
If Eon increases the tariff or charges then advance notification is required (even if the increase leaves Eon rates cheaper than British Gas standard rates (the "guarantee"), whether or not British Gas increased their standard rates.
The form of the notice may vary as you suggest, but I do not think notice of a Direct Debit increase, typically to "correct" an account debit balance by the "annual review" date, can be considered in itself notice of a tariff increase. Though I would check the DD notice very carefully for "hidden" charges notice.
Forum members may be interested that a recent supply Regulation addition (SLC27.14) requires the supplier to clearly explain the basis for any Direct Debit variation. I have yet to see explanations volunteered that I consider satisfy SLC27.14, though Scottish Power seem capable of explaining on request.0 -
No.
The tariff described is a "guaranteed discount" form of tariff. Until quite recently the supply Regulations were not being applied as Ofgem intended, however there is now Ofgem guidance on the issue here...
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/Compl/pricechange/Documents1/Guidance%20letter%20on%20SLC%2023.pdf
If Eon increases the tariff or charges then advance notification is required (even if the increase leaves Eon rates cheaper than British Gas standard rates (the "guarantee"), whether or not British Gas increased their standard rates.
The form of the notice may vary as you suggest, but I do not think notice of a Direct Debit increase, typically to "correct" an account debit balance by the "annual review" date, can be considered in itself notice of a tariff increase. Though I would check the DD notice very carefully for "hidden" charges notice.
Forum members may be interested that a recent supply Regulation addition (SLC27.14) requires the supplier to clearly explain the basis for any Direct Debit variation. I have yet to see explanations volunteered that I consider satisfy SLC27.14, though Scottish Power seem capable of explaining on request.
Just what I wanted. Thanks so much.
Plus I don't have a DD, so the notification was just a request for more money...Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.- Mark TwainArguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.0
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