Problem with new gas and electricity tariff

KatieMD

Hello,

In November, I decided to do my annual gas/electric company switch to try to save a bit of money.

I used the price comparison sites to find a cheaper duel fuel deal and set the switch in motion. I received correspondence from my previous suppliers, but nothing from the new supplier until this week, when I received an e-mail to say that my first bill was ready. I was shocked about this because usually you are given details of the new companies tariff and the charges, so you have the option to change your mind. I haven't received any paperwork from them.

On closer inspection, I have been put on a tariff that I 100% did not sign up for. Firstly, there is a daily charge. I am away from home for at least half a month, so would never and have never signed up to gas/electric with a daily charge. Secondly, the duel fuel savings only apply after one year with the company. I am moving abroad at the end of Feb and have been planning this for a year,so would not have signed up for any offer of a saving that only applies after a year.


The final thing is that they are going to take electricity bill for December out of my account on 13th Jan, when I have already paid my old supplier for Dec.

What can I do about this? Should I cancel the direct debit, so they don't take the money? Help! I am out of the country on Friday for two weeks, so need to move fast on this, but have no idea where to start.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

jalexa

KatieMD wrote: »

On closer inspection, I have been put on a tariff that I 100% did not sign up for.

How can you be 100% sure? The answer to that question is the key to fighting this.

KatieMD

Hi jalexa,

I wouldn't have signed up for anything that stated there was a daily charge or that the duel fuel saving applied after one year because of the reasons above. I change suppliers annually and I know what to look out for.

Without receiving any details of the tariff before they changed me over I am now stuck with bills of more than double what I usually pay, when I was trying to save money e.g. my previous monthly electric bill was £19 direct debit (I often had to claim money back after a number of months because I was always in credit). The first bill with the new company is £53, when I was away for a total of 19 days in December. Plus I have been charged £19 for December by my old supplier.

dogshome

Something is awry here - Soon after you initiate a Switch the new supplier should contact you, ask for your meter readings and advise you of the actual date of the Switch, on which the meter readings you have just given will be used as the closing readings of your old supplier and the opening readings of the new..

As it appears you are being billed by both suppliers for the same period of useage - WRITE a common letter to both of them, headed Complaint - This should freeze payment demands from both of them till they have sorted it out.

So far as the tariff you are on is concerned, only you know what the information was on which you based your decision, and it's up to you to challange the present tariff by quoting the data on which you based your Switch

jalexa

KatieMD wrote: »

Should I cancel the direct debit, so they don't take the money?

IMO, no. Particularly with the supplier which may be your current supplier. That action simply creates an unnecessary distraction and may compromise your discount structure.

I agree with the previous poster, "go for the jugular" using formal complaints. See today's news, you are not alone.

Regarding your "non answer" to my earlier question, it is true that comparison website initial confirmation emails often lack detail. For the benefit of others always take a screen print when submitting a switch.

KatieMD

Hi dogshome,

Thanks for your advice. The payments to my old suppliers have already been taken for December. The new supplier is going to take the direct debit on Friday, so I could cancel the direct debit now.

On the same day that I got the bill for my electricity (which was estimated, but slightly underestimated) I got an e-mail from the new company asking for my gas meter reading. I sent it them and also sent an up-to-date electric meter reading because I hadn't sent them one.

penrhyn

Have you been on to N Power to complain? It should be easy for them to swap you over to a no standing charge tariff.

KatieMD

n power was actually my gas suppliers and not the supplier I am moving to. They didn't charge me a daily rate. I think I need to get on the phone to them to tell them that I don't want to leave!

macman

Which tariff did you sign up for, and which tariff are you now on? Please give the names.
You can't 'not leave' NPower-you've already been switched.