Powergen Eon - weird and high 1/4ly bill

Sparkly

Got my electricity bill today. My usage doesn't vary much by month, but the meter only gets read around once a year (when will they learn that most people are out 8am-6pm!), when there's around 20% more or less difference to the estimate.

Today I got a 1/4ly bill for over £500 ! They claim to have read my meter, which they did not and the reading is way over any reasonable estimate. Also, the bill includes readings and charges going back over 3 years and using different estimates to the bills I already have, making it difficult to work anything out.

I called them and gave the correct reading, but they said the bill would still be over £300, but they would speak to the billing dept on Monday and call me back.

I did a basic calculation (current reading - last meter reading I paid for, then x the highest rate per Kwh on the latest bill) and got a figure of around £240, so I would expect the correct bill to be no more than £200.

I wonder how many people just pay the bills no matter how wrong , or worse, feel threatened by getting a complicated and high bill and just ignore it

thanks to MSE I've realised I can submit my own readings online, so I'll be doing that in future to try to avoid any more surprises with Powergen

arealhighlander

Always, always, phone or do via online depending on who you are with, a correct meter reading everytime you get a bill.

You see so many people on here and Watchdog etc. who go on estimates for years then suddenly get a bill for a massive amount when they get a true reading.

They THEN go on to complain and blame the electricity company! So many people in the world now like to blame others rather than take responsibility themselves :rolleyes:

Rob236

Sparkly wrote: »

(when will they learn that most people are out 8am-6pm

Why don't you go ahead and explain how a meter reader can get 8 hours work done in the 6pm to 8pm slot?

Sparkly

Rob236 wrote: »

Why don't you go ahead and explain how a meter reader can get 8 hours work done in the 6pm to 8pm slot?

As most people are out, 6 of the 8 hours (estimate) is wasted in the daytime banging on doors and not getting a reading - although that estimate of mine is as accurate as my bill In a few years they can drive past the house and read it via Wi-fi I guess.

I phoned Powergen again, and my bill is now a more sensible £160 rather than £500+ I've also setup up an online account, which apparently will email me before the next billing cycle so I can provide a reading.

Prudent

I had my meter read by them, but still got a huge (ccompared to last year) and unexpected bill from them. The meter has been read every quarter for past three quarters. Could there still be an error?

espresso

Prudent wrote: »

I had my meter read by them, but still got a huge (ccompared to last year) and unexpected bill from them. The meter has been read every quarter for past three quarters. Could there still be an error?

Why don't you simply check the figures for yourself. You know what you have used and what the unit prices are. Enter your annual kWh figures into several comparison sites and then switch to a cheaper supplier.