Variable DD with Scottish Power

poshrule_uk

Hi

Just in the process of switching to Scottish Power for their online fixed to 2014 deal and said that I wanted to be on a variable monthly DD.

They apparently don't do these on a montly basis but only on a quarterly basis and then if you do the unit cost goes up!

I prefer to pay for what I use but I don't want to have to pay extra for it and be penalised!!!

Have I been told right/wrong not to happy about this.

Peter999_2

I'm with Scottish Power and have the Online Energy Saver 16 package.

It doesn't allow me to have a variable monthly charge - it is a fixed amount. However, on the 1st of every month I enter my meter readings onto the website and it generates a bill so I know exactly month by month how much I owe/am in credit.

poshrule_uk

Thanks Peter999 and how does it work with them refunding you/changing your bill amounts.

I'm not a fan of paying for more than you have used as why should you pay for something you have not had!

Wywth

poshrule_uk wrote: »

Hi

Just in the process of switching to Scottish Power for their online fixed to 2014 deal and said that I wanted to be on a variable monthly DD.

They apparently don't do these on a montly basis but only on a quarterly basis and then if you do the unit cost goes up!

I prefer to pay for what I use but I don't want to have to pay extra for it and be penalised!!!

Have I been told right/wrong not to happy about this.

You were told right.

Suppliers like the simplicity and cost savings associated with fixed monthly collections and (most) pass on those savings to customers.

If you only want to pay for what you've used, then you'll have to pay for what you've used. I think SP pay quite a nice prompt payment discount on many of their pay quaterly tariffs - and payment by quarterly DD secures this (assuming the DD doesn't bounce)

Peter999_2

I was originally paying £90 a month for both Gas and Electricity starting in January this year.

As I created a bill on 1st each month, I was only actually using about £50 - £60 so was building up a credit. The direct debit was automatically put down to £60 I think in June. I am currently £141 in credit - I presume I could phone them up and get that money refunded, but I have never done.

I do like knowing exactly how much I've used at the end of each month though - I use Quicken software to manage my budget and therefore just have a account setup on that for SP.

sillygoose

poshrule_uk wrote: »

Hi

Just in the process of switching to Scottish Power for their online fixed to 2014 deal and said that I wanted to be on a variable monthly DD.

They apparently don't do these on a montly basis but only on a quarterly basis and then if you do the unit cost goes up!

I prefer to pay for what I use but I don't want to have to pay extra for it and be penalised!!!

Have I been told right/wrong not to happy about this.

Same here... on the bright side switching in Winter, they should have set your monthly payment at your declared annual use/12 so for some time you will probably be using more and they will be lending you fuel until you catch up over the summer.

Scottish_Power

If I can be of any help please e-mail me at [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] Thanks David @ ScottishPower