Scottish Hydro Engineer Charge

VaderW

I moved from a Direct Debit credit account to a prepayment account with Scottish Hydro back in May 2011. They had continuously used estimated readings then eventually issued me with a bill for over £1000.00 once they had an exact reading! I couldn't afford to clear the balance immediately so it was decided to move the debt to a prepayment meter and pay it off in addition to the current electricity usage.

Now the debt is clear I have found out that they have introduced a one off engineer charge if I want to move back to DD credit account - £52.00.

There is no charge going DD to prepayment, but there is prepayment to DD.

Are they trying to discourage customers moving to Direct Debit?

I'm rather annoyed as they introduced this charge a couple of weeks after they switched me over without a word of warning.

Anyway... rant over.




VW

VaderW

With the monthly saving made moving to direct debit (6%) it would take me around 2.5 years(!) to recover the engineer cost.

What's the point?

flyingjock1

If as you say you've had several bills which were estimated and never corrected this can happen. Ie an actual read can cause a large catch up bill. I think the £52 cost is a standard instalation charge which i think sse companies charge when someone applies to have a credit meter installed (after the customer has passed the credit check that is).