End of Fixed Price Contracts

[Deleted User]

Hi folks

A while ago I saw something about how a customer will remain on the same fixed rate after the contract ends, if they tell the supplier of intent to change companies, two weeks before the relevant date.

Now I'm wondering if I dreamed it up, as I can't find reference to it again... Did I indeed dream it up?

Terrylw1

Its to give you the chance to ask another supplier to initiate the switch so you can not be hit by the higher charges. Check the t&c's on your suppliers site where it will be listed.

[Deleted User]

I know. I did this with Npower, who sent me an email to confirm, which I must have accidentally deleted as I can't find it. Now I have a closing bill that moved to the higher rate and they are pursuing me aggressively while I dispute it. Can't see it in their T&Cs, but I must have done to have contacted them in the first place and got the confirmation...

Think maybe this particular rule was mentioned in post they sent telling me I was approaching the end of the contract. Which I don't seem to have. Can anybody sort me out with a copy?? Help!

Lesson learned: put emails in saved folders and make sure to keep relevant bits of paper! What's annoying is that I'm usually really good at keeping on top of such things!

ic

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/Compl/pricechange/Pages/Noticeofpricechanges.aspx

Avoiding the variation
Once a customer becomes aware about a ‘relevant variation’ (e.g. a public announcement or individual notification), they can notify their supplier that they intend to switch in order avoid the effects of those variations at anytime on or before the date the variation is scheduled to becomes effective. Once the customer notifies their existing supplier of their intention to switch, their existing supplier must receive notice (within 15 working days) that the new (gaining) supplier will begin supplying the customer within a reasonable period of time. The new (gaining) supplier is responsible for triggering this notice.

I think this is what you are describing. So as long as you told them you did not intend to stay with them before the price change took effect, and then initiated a switch immediately you should have been covered. Only hole I can see here is if your new supplier dragged their feet and took longer than the 15 working days allowed to notify npower...

[Deleted User]

Aha, thank you!!

My Npower contract ended on 31 December, and EDF were supplying me from 19 January, my having made the switch on 23 December, which was when i informed Npower. So dates looking good.

I think they're trying to pull this as they will actually owe ME money once the correct calculations have been applied.

Thanks again, now I've got them!

[Deleted User]

Think I'll bill them for my time wasted on this, too. My daily rate is £150.

Terrylw1

There is a way you can check whether npower are at fault or you new supplier.

The new suppliers sends a data flow to the distributor who notifies your current supplier via another data flow. If the new supplier sent it after the 15 days, its outside the agreed timescale.

If the new supplier did send it with on 15 days, npower are at fault in not responding to it by holding your tariff rates.

Premier_2

Power_Kitten wrote: »

Hi folks

A while ago I saw something about how a customer will remain on the same fixed rate after the contract ends, if they tell the supplier of intent to change companies, two weeks before the relevant date.

Now I'm wondering if I dreamed it up, as I can't find reference to it again... Did I indeed dream it up?

I think you did dream it up (or confused it with terms relating to variations in contracts, e.g. adverse price changes in variable rate tariffs)

You were on a fixed price contract until 31 December.
The supplier won't hold that price after that date - you will go onto whatever the supplier said you would. (unless you agreed something else)

I don't see any 'relevant variation' from the terms you agreed with the supplier previously. You were advised at the start when the fixed price period ended, and that was adhered to.

jalexa

ic wrote: »

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/Compl/pricechange/Pages/Noticeofpricechanges.aspx

I think this is what you are describing.

Good luck in trying that on.

The guidance was a result of representations about "guaranteed discount" tariffs, not "fixed price" tariffs. The key wording is “the licensee unilaterally [varying] a term of the contract: (a) to increase the Charges for the Supply of [Gas/Electricity]…”.

Contractual maturity (of a fixed-price tariff) is not a "unilateral variation".

[Deleted User]

Well, I remember now where I saw it... Npower had sent me a reminder close to the end of the contract (31/12), with these exact terms. I did what was required and got an email confirmation from Npower that I would indeed stay on that tariff. Then EDF were supplying me from 19 January.

These specific terms aren't on the documents they send when you sign up with them. They save it for the reminder approaching the end of the contract, its presence in some tiny small print.

My problem is that I had very stupidly deleted the email confirmation and chucked that reminder, so can't prove anything. So I will 'try this on', as it's the best I can do.

[Deleted User]

This is quite old now, but I just wanted to let people know that I had success. Npower played heavy, but I insisted I'd had confirmation. They eventually relented and the whole account was cleared.