EDF admit taking the WRONG gas reading!!

Carld321

I have just moved to my new home, have just received a final gas bill from EDF of£981.
On phoning them to query this big difference, their advisor has admitted they took an incorrect meter (4688kwh) reading in April, and when I phoned in my final reading in Oct (7457kwh) I noticed huge difference.
The advisor tried to offer me a 10% reduction to the bill, I said I wanted to contact Ombudsman, he really didn't want me to do that, saying anyone can make a mistake. My argument is, if I'd been informed of correct reading in April I could have had this problem addresed well before 6 weeks before Christmas!
Any ideas please??

Horseunderwater

I take it that this bill is on the previous property? Or is it on the new one?
If you get an estimated bill, the first thing you should always do is read your own meter. Common sense my friend.
That way you always keep up with what is owed. The only thing that you can do is ask if they can split it over a few months say 6 and pay it off via cash or bank transfers. But if it is on new property, then you could ask for a prepayment meter to be fitted and clear it that way. Not always possible if in rentals though.
Also check water and Gas if you have one on those as well.
Frances

Carld321

Thanks Frances, its my old property that I'm disputing.
I had the meter read by an EDF meter man in April(why would I need to read my meter when their employee who is paid to do this, had just done it?....yeah, admittedly, I probably will from now on tho!!!):mad:, and in 6 summer months, when the gas is never really on, it has gone up nearly 3000kwh!!! The advisor on the phone admitted to me, the gas meter man had gotten it wrong!!

jalexa

Carld321 wrote: »

The advisor tried to offer me a 10% reduction to the bill, I said I wanted to contact Ombudsman...

OK, but what settlement terms are you looking for?

I *think* you are saying the April reading was low by mistake leading to a higher than expected final bill to settle?

The traditional approach to this is easy terms over the period of the error, not terms on the £981 but terms on the difference. Possibly the 10% offer (on £981) might be to your advantage.

Up to you.

Just seen your last post. It's not impossible the Energy Ombudsman would ask the same question you didn't like.

Carld321

Yeah Jalexa,
think your'e probably right, it was just their very quick admission of guilt, led me to think I might get away with a bit of bargaining, say 20% off and balance spread over 18 months or so?

chanz4

I would try the 20% , but what you have to remember is the regulator cant force or payment terms

undaunted

I think you're pushing your luck personally.

They made a mistake & have admitted it, also offering a gooodwill gesture of 10% off the bill - which they didn't have to do.

It would be reasonable to expect to pay the full balance over the period the debt has accrued in. If you can get 10% off and do that I'd grab it. The oOmbudsman will take a long time to come to a conclusion & I would expect offer you nothing better!

macman

Carld321 wrote: »

Thanks Frances, its my old property that I'm disputing.
I had the meter read by an EDF meter man in April(why would I need to read my meter when their employee who is paid to do this, had just done it?....yeah, admittedly, I probably will from now on tho!!!):mad:, and in 6 summer months, when the gas is never really on, it has gone up nearly 3000kwh!!! The advisor on the phone admitted to me, the gas meter man had gotten it wrong!!

To ensure that an error has not been made? They do dozens of reads every day, and errors can and do occur.
They are only obliged to read the meter once every two years anyway-the other reads are down to you, unless you want to receive estimated bills.

Cardew

Carld321 wrote: »

My argument is, if I'd been informed of correct reading in April I could have had this problem addresed well before 6 weeks before Christmas!

Of course if you had checked the meter reading against reading on the bill(as you are supposed to do) in April you would have noticed.

People are quick to notice a big bill, but shouldn't it have occured to you that it was a small bill in April?

Personally I think 10% reduction is generous