EDF Instalment Issues!

ms_rls

About 18 months ago I set up an instalement plan with EDF to pay off an outstanding balance while also paying for my current usage. The instalement was £24 p/month and £41 p/month for usage. This plan is due to 'finish' in May 2013.

In december I noticed that there was a credit of £119 on my account. I contacted EDF and asked why I was still making payments to the instalment plan if my account was in credit.
After a number of emails backwards and forwards where EDF simply stated that I would continue to pay the instalement
(I argued that it didn't make sense) they sent me a bill saying I would now be paying £34 usage and £7 instalement from January 2013. Of course in January (and february) £65 has been taken.

The december bill also shows my usage based on meter readings yet underneath states that a third of this amount is my instalment plan even though it's based on meter reads.

My current balance is £20.04 debit and I've been told if I leave EDF, I have to pay the £20.04 and the full instalement balance which is £54.

They just don't seem to realise how confusing this is yet I seem to be repeating myself and they don't seem to understand what Im trying to say. i just keep getting told I will be paying the extra until May 2013. Is this the way instalment plans work or does this really seem as confusing as it appears to be?

I don't know whether to keep quiet and just agree to disagree or keep trying to get my point across?

Fire_Fox

Without seeing your bill it's tough to say, can you take off your name and address, upload to a hosting site then post the link? Was the £119 credit on combined usage AND debt or on the usage part of your account only? Are you reading your meters regularly? This gives you the best chance of setting the right payment in April/ May.

Winter is the most expensive time, you need to stay in credit between bills or you don't cover your usage. Suppliers won't reduce payments in December when winter is only about a third of the way through, they like you to end winter at roughly zero not in debit as you already are, then build a credit in summer.

If the took a higher direct debit that agreed you can do a chargeback from your bank under the direct debit guarantee, but that is likely to pee them off and probably not worth doing unless you are sure you are in credit on both the usage and installment debt.