Scottish Power: what is going on?

Ferris

So, I helped my mum to switch over to Scottish Power (from Eon and British Gas). All seemed to go smoothly, with the progress page pretty helpful in keeping us up to date with the current state of affairs.

Then switchover occurred, and things started going weird.

First of all, the Direct Debit, already set at a high level based on readings taking in the middle of a particularly cold winter, was arbitrarily raised. On the switchover page it is still set at the normal level, but in the Welcome email received yesterday, a new, higher amount had been sneaked in. Now I appreciate that Direct Debits can vary and be refined over time, but in between an initial amount and an opening Direct Debit? What is the point in that? Nowhere in the reams of sales bumpf were any arbitrary increases mentioned other than at the 90 day review stages.

Are Scottish Power really that desperate for money in the bank? A figure was agreed for the initial Direct Debit; why change it randomly like that before any ongoing usage data has even been gathered?

Then I (I'm handling the account and switchover for her) received a strange email. Well, in actual fact it was not one, not two, but EIGHT further emails welcoming her to Scottish Power. I suppose I can't complain about a company being welcoming.

But these emails also announced that Scottish Power would be taking over her electricity supply in "four to eight weeks", and that SP would seek a meter reading "within the next four weeks". This was a surprise to me, as I submitted the change of supplier meter readings for both fuels last week. And the earlier Welcome message (with the inflated DD) had stated that SP were already supplying her electricity. The message also stated that SP would get in touch with her existing supplier in the coming weeks. As it happens, Eon (unlike British Gas) have not been in touch with a final bill yet, so I wonder if SP have actually done what they promised.

So what is going on? Is there a time machine involved? Who is charging my mum for electricity? Scottish Power? Eon? Both? Neither?

And then, for good measure: an hour later, I received a further EIGHT emails telling me exactly the same thing.

Scottish Power seem to be a complete and utter shambles of a company. Is there a rep on here who can explain what on earth is going on?

Joyful

It takes 4-6 weeks to change supplier so you will want to confirm the dates that the supplies are being taken over and give readings at that time. Regarding the DD call Scottish Power and ask them to change it unless after this Winter you think it should be increased.

Rich003

[FONT=&quot]There seems to be a pattern emerging.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I applied to join Scottish Power in March, received the welcome pack, submitted readings and yesterday got an email to say that I was now a Scottish Power customer. They also stated that my monthly DD would be reduced by around £8.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This morning I too have received 16 emails (two blocks of 8) all saying the same thing: Welcome to Scottish Power.....they would start supplies in 4 to 6 weeks![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It’s the same Application number as the original so obviously some technical problems with their process.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I tried “My Account” but the web site is down.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tried ringing but there is a long backlog of calls. I will try again later.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I’m logging daily meter readings just in case. [/FONT]

Scottish_Power

Ferris, Rich003 we are aware of an issue this morning with duplicate e-mails being sent and we are investigating. Sorry for the inconvenience caused. In the meantime if you need specific help, please e-mail [EMAIL="social@scottishpower.com"]social@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] Thanks David

Ferris

Rich003 wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]There seems to be a pattern emerging.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I applied to join Scottish Power in March, received the welcome pack, submitted readings and yesterday got an email to say that I was now a Scottish Power customer. They also stated that my monthly DD would be reduced by around £8.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]This morning I too have received 16 emails (two blocks of 8) all saying the same thing: Welcome to Scottish Power.....they would start supplies in 4 to 6 weeks![/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]It’s the same Application number as the original so obviously some technical problems with their process.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I tried “My Account” but the web site is down.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Tried ringing but there is a long backlog of calls. I will try again later.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I’m logging daily meter readings just in case. [/FONT]

Thanks for this. I'm glad I'm not alone in this!

I actually received a bulk mailed apology for the 16 emails from Scottish Power this morning, but it still didn't clear up who exactly is supplying the electricity!

And to the SPRep, I emailed the social address, so you should have a message from me.

Scottish_Power

Thanks, we've got your email & will get back to you as soon as we can. Gerry

Rich003

[FONT=&quot]Update...[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Received “Oops, sorry” email this morning citing a technical problem.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Still can’t access “My Account” but haven’t the time to pursue this at the moment.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Apart from this glitch, Scottish Power progress reports and feedback have been good so far. The transfer took a reasonable 37 days.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Ferris, hope you're sorted now!
[/FONT]

pineapple

Sounds like a definite problem but just to say I have been a Scottish Power customer a few years now and have always found them pretty good.
That said, like other providers they need to simplify their tarifs and make it clear on every bill (online or paper) what the actual unit costs are.

Wywth

Rich003 wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Update...[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Received “Oops, sorry” email this morning citing a technical problem.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Still can’t access “My Account” but haven’t the time to pursue this at the moment.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Apart from this glitch, Scottish Power progress reports and feedback have been good so far. The transfer took a reasonable 37 days.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Ferris, hope you're sorted now![/FONT]

In the time it took you to post this, you could have emailed the SP rep :cool:

Scottish_Power

Ferris wrote: »

Thanks for this. I'm glad I'm not alone in this!

I actually received a bulk mailed apology for the 16 emails from Scottish Power this morning, but it still didn't clear up who exactly is supplying the electricity!

And to the SPRep, I emailed the social address, so you should have a message from me.

I have confirmed we are supplying the electricity and replied to your e-mail. If there's anything else you need please let me know. Thanks David

Scottish_Power

Rich003 wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Update...[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Still can’t access “My Account” but haven’t the time to pursue this at the moment.[/FONT]

Rich If you send us a quick e-mail to [EMAIL="social@scottishpower.com"]social@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] with your details we can check that out for you. Thanks David