Old supplier claims new one is messing up

Crater

I'm about to switch gas and elec suppliers separately to a single supplier.

Two ex-users of my large gas supplier have now warned me that the supplier phoned them the day before switchover/a couple of days before and claimed that the new supplier had not been in touch and was messing up the swich and they should stay with the old supplier. Completely untrue.

Has anyone had this experience, and what did they do about this? Mine is happening right on top of New Year and I'm not used to switching/dealing with suppliers and worried the old supplier might cause me a problem.

notbritishgas

Shamsan wrote: »

I'm about to switch gas and elec suppliers separately to a single supplier.

Two ex-users of my large gas supplier have now warned me that the supplier phoned them the day before switchover/a couple of days before and claimed that the new supplier had not been in touch and was messing up the swich and they should stay with the old supplier. Completely untrue.

Has anyone had this experience, and what did they do about this? Mine is happening right on top of New Year and I'm not used to switching/dealing with suppliers and worried the old supplier might cause me a problem.

Well firstly if the new supplier had not been in touch how did the old supplier know they were switching?

You do not need to talk to or contact the old supplier because the new one does all that is necessary.
However the old supplier will do all they can to persuade you not to switch, or more accurately to persuade you to switch back to them because by this time the switch has gone too far to cancel.
They do this either by letter or phone and their excuse is mostly to get you to give them meter readings to finalise the account. You need not contact them as your new supplier gives them the readings you submit.

Crater

Thank you. I didn't know they would try asking for another meter reading ... I am aware that the last thing you do is give them any information at all about your new supplier or account as the rogues can use that as a pretext to try and switch you back.

I probably read the Daily Mail too much but I have heard (not at first hand) about some users even finding their meters cut off or replaced without warning (premises broken into, which apparently utlity companies are allowed to do if they claim they are owed money ...) even though they owed no money. I do not think that is to do with switching specifically but it seems there are some dirty tricks about regardling final billing, to try and get you to talk to them instead of the new supplier, and then claim you want to switch back.

sheffield_lad

Shamsan wrote: »

I have heard (not at first hand) about some users even finding their meters cut off or replaced without warning (premises broken into, which apparently utlity companies are allowed to do if they claim they are owed money ...) even though they owed no money.

I probably read the Daily Mail too much but

Classic lol, yes and morrisons & tescos also pop out (at night when your asleep), and make sure all the products in your fridge are also paid for! :eek:

Daily mail is OK for TV guide Shamsan but read the rest of it with care.

GL