Scottish Power "pulling a fast one?"

ed123_2

I have just received a letter from Scottish Power stating " we're upgrading our systems so we're going to have to change your monthly Direct Debit date soon. We'll start to collect this from 1st September 2012 " won't they make a bit on money out of this as my dd is late in the month so the next one could hit on 1st September so bingo they have gained up to an extra months income? Have anyone else received this letter?.....ed:eek:

rogerblack

ed123 wrote: »

I have just received a letter from Scottish Power stating " we're upgrading our systems so we're going to have to change your monthly Direct Debit date soon. We'll start to collect this from 1st September 2012 " won't they make a bit on money out of this as my dd is late in the month so the next one could hit on 1st September so bingo they have gained up to an extra months income? Have anyone else received this letter?.....ed:eek:

It will all average out - as it will go into your balance.
You could consider if you want, phoning up now, and altering your DD date to the first of the month.

ihateyes

ed123 wrote: »

we're upgrading our systems so we're going to have to change your monthly Direct Debit date soon. We'll start to collect this from 1st September 2012 "

Some upgrade if the cant take on a set date.........

[Deleted User]

I wonder if this is to do with Scottish Powers reading contract going over to G4S in September as I have been told we can change the "read window " to fit in to our meter reading times to merge the same times with other Utilities. If we change the read date, possibly the direct debit date moves also, just a theory.

Terrylw1

sacsquacco wrote: »

I wonder if this is to do with Scottish Powers reading contract going over to G4S in September as I have been told we can change the "read window " to fit in to our meter reading times to merge the same times with other Utilities. If we change the read date, possibly the direct debit date moves also, just a theory.

That sounds a bit dodgy.

When you appoint the Data Collector on a switch, new connection of bulk change of agent, the supplier issues a data flow stating the reading cycle and first date to run the cycle from.

If you change this, how will the supplier know? If you change it to fit your window, you will become misaligned with the suppliers...the impact of this is your readings will miss and the customers will just get estimates.

I suspect at some point in the future, their contract manager will be getting a roasting of their billing senior management as aside from the customer impacts, it means more reworking of bills and customer contact/complaints about why the readings aren't getting used.

[Deleted User]

Yes, does sound a bit odd does nt it, when my manager told me we d got the Scottish Power contract, he said we d also got " the portfolio " when enquiring what that meant, he said we could move the read window around to fit in with our existing read windows with BG and do them at same time. Makes sense from our point of view I suppose as it stops us wasting money visitin the same streets at different times

Terrylw1

If the Data Collector changes the reading cycle dates, they have to send a D0012 data flow to the supplier so they can alter it on the customers account since its linked to estimation routines.

On a bulk change of agent, if its negotiated that the cycle needs to align wish the current needs of the meter reading business, the supplier should embark on a mass change which is managed between the 2 parties.

You have to remember that by altering the reading cycle, you alter the customer bill date. So, the supplier has to write to the customer.

If the supplier just trusts their automation to handle this, they could be in for a rough time.

Done this change in the past and it was always a bulk update that was watched.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Terrylw1 wrote: »

That sounds a bit dodgy.

When you appoint the Data Collector on a switch, new connection of bulk change of agent, the supplier issues a data flow stating the reading cycle and first date to run the cycle from.

If you change this, how will the supplier know? If you change it to fit your window, you will become misaligned with the suppliers...the impact of this is your readings will miss and the customers will just get estimates.

I suspect at some point in the future, their contract manager will be getting a roasting of their billing senior management as aside from the customer impacts, it means more reworking of bills and customer contact/complaints about why the readings aren't getting used.

I'm with SP .. .. I've heard nothing, and a quick google suggests the O/P is the only one in the entire nation with an internet question on the subject, and SP allow you to change the date at will any time.

ed123_2

I can assure Richie I just received this letter.It was from Lynda Clayton Customer Service Director. I am in area 10 Eastern............Ed

Richie-from-the-Boro

ed123 wrote: »

I can assure Richie I just received this letter.It was from Lynda Clayton Customer Service Director. I am in area 10 Eastern............Ed

ed123, I'm not for a moment suggesting you did not receive a letter and certainly Lynda Clayton, Head of Operational Planning, Customer Services at Scottish Power does work for SP.

I'm saying to others here that its strange that a company that freely allows any customer to change their DD at will and in an instant on the internet would write that letter. I'm also saying reference your question in #1 ""Has anyone else received this letter?"" that thus far yours is the only query from the general public when I would have expected at least dozens if not hundreds would have been found by a search engine.

Terrylw1

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

I'm with SP .. .. I've heard nothing, and a quick google suggests the O/P is the only one in the entire nation with an internet question on the subject, and SP allow you to change the date at will any time.

I meant the ability to change the reading window from the meter reader end was dodgy.

If its needed due to a bulk change of agent, it will be managed inside the project.