EDF - couldnt be more useless if they tried!

[Deleted User]

After a miserable year with EDF where everything they've done has been a disaster, I'm trying to leave them.

I've been trying for weeks to get a final bill off them. I gave my reading to new supplier but EDF insist on sending me an estimated final bill. You couldn't make it up.

I did get some joy a few weeks ago when I asked for a copy of my bills. I wanted to check them since they'd screwed up so many times in the year. Apparently, I had 15 different bills in 12 months (because they had to cancel them so many times!).

Best thing is EDF said I had to pay £5 per copy bill!!!!!! Even though its their fault there are 15. Nice one.

So warning for anyone out there:-

EVEN IF ITS FREE - DO NOT SWITCH TO EDF UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

jalexa

[quote=[Deleted User];discussion/3918109]
I've been trying for weeks to get a final bill off them. I gave my reading to new supplier but EDF insist on sending me an estimated final bill. You couldn't make it up.
[/QUOTE]

Is that not what they have just done with the estimate?:D

How does the "estimate" compare with the reading you gave to the new supplier? A bill is not a "final" bill until it has exactly the same closing reading as the new supplier uses for the opening reading, normally the reading you passed.

Any estimated bill can be replaced with a bill using a customer read. Up to you to grab the initiative on this.

Terrylw1

The industry process is to provide a Deemed reading go the closing supplier by the Data Collector and to pass it to the new suppliers Data Collector so they can send it to the new supplier.

If they get your customer read in time, they will use this instead of the Deemed one they create. So it could be timing or the fact the new supplier hasn't passed it.

Amending a bill is easy enough but on a switch if its the Data Collectors reading, they have to use the disputed readings process to correct it on all 4 parties systems.

[Deleted User]

jalexa wrote: »

Is that not what they have just done with the estimate?:D

How does the "estimate" compare with the reading you gave to the new supplier? A bill is not a "final" bill until it has exactly the same closing reading as the new supplier uses for the opening reading, normally the reading you passed.

Any estimated bill can be replaced with a bill using a customer read. Up to you to grab the initiative on this.

Oh yes and I've tried.

jalexa

[quote=[Deleted User];52666969]Oh yes and I've tried.[/QUOTE]
Refer them to clauses 3.8 & 3.9 of the "Billing Code".

3.8 If you receive an estimated bill your supplier will ask you to check that the estimate is close to the reading on the meter and to provide your own reading if the estimate is inaccurate.
3.9 If you provide a valid read it will be used to produce a revised bill/statement, if appropriate. This will be sent out within 10 working days.

If they don't comply, complain.

Terrylw1

jalexa wrote: »

Refer them to clauses 3.8 & 3.9 of the "Billing Code".

3.8 If you receive an estimated bill your supplier will ask you to check that the estimate is close to the reading on the meter and to provide your own reading if the estimate is inaccurate.
3.9 If you provide a valid read it will be used to produce a revised bill/statement, if appropriate. This will be sent out within 10 working days.

If they don't comply, complain.

That won't apply as its a change of supply reading to produce a final bill. The Disputed Readings process has to be uses between up to 4 parties to resolve it if there is an error. 10 days would not be enough time and if its not an indicated SLA in the BSCP, its not required for compliance.

The question really is why estimate it when they have a firm reading. However, we don't know tygat the old supplier was ever sent this reading, which means they are entitled to use a Deemed reading provided by their Data Collector. If this has happened the new suppliers starting reading will be the same as the Deemed reading reaches all 4 parties.

OP - has your new supplier shown it on your bill? If so, ask them to check the received your reading back from their Data Collector with it showing as BSC Valid. If they haven't got a data flow like that, there is a problem with the reading and its likely they have got a Deemed reading to start you up on.

jalexa

Terrylw1 wrote: »

That won't apply as its a change of supply reading to produce a final bill.

I don't think there is enough information in the OP for me to have to agree that is the explanation in this case.

If this has happened the new suppliers starting reading will be the same as the Deemed reading reaches all 4 parties.

There I do agree with you. You have restated what I said in an earlier post "a bill is not a "final" bill until it has exactly the same closing reading as the new supplier uses for the opening reading, normally the reading you passed". This time I have emphasised the word "normally".

I cannot tell from the OP whether the Edf "estimate" is a result of the Disputed Readings process or the OP's "I've been trying for weeks to get a final bill off them".

Is there an agreed wording to indicate that the "estimated" closing reading is the result of the Disputed Readings process or does a bland "estimated" suffice? The OP should seek an explanation from Edf if that is not clear. The OP's answer "Oh yes and I've tried" is not indicative of a satisfactory explanation.

Terrylw1

The OP said they gave the new supplier a reading, so providing the change of supply has not be objected to and upheld (which the OP would have had letters off their new supplier about) it can only be:

- new supplier never sent the customer reading off to enter the Data Collectors process.
- new supplier did send it off but when the old suppliers Data Collector recived it off the new suppliers Data Collector, it didn't match previous consumption patterns and was failed. This would trigger a Deeming process to occur.
- OP gave it too late, hence it never got used anyway.

Any of these would cause the underlying industry process of Deeming to occur. Deeming only takes place in the Data Collectors system, a supplier is not allowed to create an estimate on a change of supply. This is where the billing code falls down because its a supplier side and has no power of Data Collectors.

The Disputed Readings process won't have occurred yet, its only when the supplier sees an error due to new evidence (e.g. different meter such as from crossed meters or a missed meter change) or when the customers sees the bills opening reading is wrong.