EDF Bank Theft

brewerdave

"Annual review date" - be aware that EDF Customer Services don't seem to know when it will occur with any accuracy - I joined EDF in July 2011 and ,when I enquired a couple of months ago, I was told on the phone that my review date was July -HOWEVER, I have just received an email asking for meter readings and the accompanying website message explains that it is for my annual review!!! So I'm being caught by the short year review as well !!
I'm £130 approx in credit so it will be very interesting to see what they want to do with my DD for the next year as I'm on a fix til March 2014 tariff.

jalexa

brewerdave wrote: »

I'm £130 approx in credit so it will be very interesting to see what they want to do with my DD for the next year...

I'm assuming that will be subject to alteration by the 'annual review' reading and also any pending payment. Only credit balances at 'review' in excess of £150 are "automatically" refunded. Up to you whether you would prefer a refund or a reduced monthly payment.

BTW the 'annual review' bill is generated for the day the reading is submitted. So even less than the less than a year:D.

There is one thing to look out for. As a first "less than a year customer" Edf will be using their projected annual consumption, not your projected consumption. Expect the Edf number to be higher. That has been the principal reason why my recalculations were always way out. If challenged the (scripted or trained I believe) retort was "we do not have a years worth of readings". Surprise surprise, that still applies to short first year customers following their 'annual review':(.

I pushed very hard on that and on the cusp of Energy Ombudsman referral Edf set the projected annual consumption, and the payment, to my projection and calculation. So it can be done but it took some effort, for which I have been compensated.

The first post 'review' reading submission generated a statement but not a re-calculation. That may be a system "improvement". An Adviser manual calculation found the computer calculation was correct for my projected consumption:T.

My next challenge will be to get an 'annual statement'. By regulations should be provided after 12 months, I have been informed (in writing) I will not receive it until the next 'annual review', 21 months after my start date.:rotfl:

brewerdave

Well, I got the email to say that the bill was ready ....but it looks like any "ordinary" bill - doesn't say anywhere that it is an annual payment review, altho the original web site message says it is - tells me what my current credit is (~£123) and says that the next DD will be in June for the same amount as before.
Is this the experience of others with their "annual payment review"??

jalexa

brewerdave wrote: »

Is this the experience of others with their "annual payment review"??

My 'annual* review' statement was identical in format to all previous reading generated statements i.e a 3 page "statement" plus a front sheet advising changed payments (actually a small reduction)

A few days ago I generated a statement by submitting readings a month after my 'annual* review'. This time I only got the 3 page statement and no change to the payment.:T

It is interesting that your 'annual* review' did not generate a payment recalculation even though you have a healthy balance. I noticed the system was down for "planned" maintenance last week. I speculate that there might have been an upgrade.

Unless your Edf held projected consumption has been aligned with your actual consumption at 'annual* review' the account balance/monthly payment calculation cannot be "accurate". AFAIAA, the projection is not significantly changed if Edf do not have 12 months of readings. Spot the procedural mismatch.:D

I got my projected consumption changed after significant pressure (threat of EO) and the next system (and manual calculation) was correct, so it can be done.

I think your 'annual* review' has been affected by the "upgrade". Given your account balance I would have expected a payment reduction. That is the whole point of an 'annual review'.:(

*less than a year:D

vuvuzela

Just had my annual statement. It is laughably inaccurate.
Actual use (rounded to nearest x00 KWh) : 8900 (G) 1500 (E)
Their predicted use for next year : 1,139,268 (G) 101,489 (E)
Which would mean me paying £49,256.22 including a very generous DD discount of £2994, instead of what I predict my costs to be of around £600
Fortunately they haven't recalculated the direct debit to be £4000 a month instead of my current £46...

lol43

EDF's practice of "reviewing" DD payments whenever a meter reading is given was recently featured on BBC's Breakfast and Moneybox programmes, with particular emphasis on the fact that the review always seemed to result in an increase in the monthly payment no matter what the condition of the account. EDF's explanation on that occasion (the complainant was in credit) was there had been an "error" but with so many EDF customers complaining of the same thing it smacks of either deliberate policy or gross incompetence.
My own experience it that they have attempted (but not succeeded) to increase my DD every time they issue a bill, which is done automatically when I submit meter readings. I submit these on the quarterly due dates so I cannot agree with those who have told you payments are not increased if you submit quarterly readings promptly. True that when challenged EDF have backed down, but this should not be necessary and does not engender trust. A new practice I have experienced is a request from EDF for meter readings some 3 weeks before they are due which if it occurred regularly could mean having 5 reviews instead of 4 reviews per year!
As far as notification of increased payments goes, if you are using their online system you will find advice of the proposed increase in your payments on the 'important information" link to the reverse side of your bill. You really do have to read everything they make available to you.

brewerdave

jalexa, I agree that I would have expected my DD to be reduced with a current credit balance of over £100 before the Summer - however, I've decided to leave as is until (or if) they send me an annual energy statement. Following that, I'll have to calculate what I think I'll use and decide on a plan of action!!!