Spark Energy - advice needed on how to ensure a smooth transfer from them.

Wywth

abby1234519 wrote: »

Well its nearly 2.5 months since Npower were asked to switch. I was wrong actually, its 3 weeks ago since they sent the letter saying spark energy had refused to switch and 2.5 weeks since I asked NPower why they couldnt switch.

So I wish the OP good luck getting the switch!

So it took 2 months to switch your electricity supply??? :eek:

I suggest you call nPower now!
(It appears there could be problems with your email account, what with you not getting responses from either Spark or nPower)

(Hopefully the OP is not attempting to move to nPower)

abby1234519

Yup!! The funny thing is NPower are just as atrocious at reply to correspondance, it usually takes 2 or 3 gos. I do phone them but if it says the wait is going to be half an hour I really cannot be bothered to wait.

I've just got a reply from Spark Energy actually after I send my third email but this time to the complaints email. They've apologised and said that because I hadn't made any payments thats why they wouldn't get the gas account go! But they wouldn't reply to my request for a bill?

They've now said that they will let the gas account be switched and have offered a 10% discount on my final bill.

I'm betting that this discount doesn't appear so another round of emails will commence.

So to the OP, if you don't get anywhere fire off a complaint straight away. The email is their customer relations one I can find it if you want but its on their website under the complaints section.

LittleYoda

Hi

Thanks for all the replies.

I am moving to EDF on a fixed rate. This was one of the best rates suggested by the MSE Cheap Energy Club.

I await to hear from EDF and will follow the advice noted above.

Thanks again people - fingers crossed.

dan3811991119

dogshome wrote: »

Ofgem the regulator, have a guideline that customers should be allowed to Switch where any debt is below £200

Is this true?? Sse blocked my mams switch with £40 owed on the account siting the reason her next bill is due soon and the amount owed would be £190.

When the bill was printed it was printed for £400 but it was a wild wild estimate. When I called them with a reading the amount they would not let her switch for was £135 which included the £40 owed at the time. Her dd was not set at a high enough amount to cover usage.

sorry to hijack the thread

Richie-from-the-Boro

- read this and this for other advice LittleYoda

Wywth

dan3811991119 wrote: »

Is this true?? Sse blocked my mams switch with £40 owed on the account siting the reason her next bill is due soon and the amount owed would be £190.

When the bill was printed it was printed for £400 but it was a wild wild estimate. When I called them with a reading the amount they would not let her switch for was £135 which included the £40 owed at the time. Her dd was not set at a high enough amount to cover usage.

sorry to hijack the thread

A debt is not a debt until at least 28 days after it has been formally demanded i.e. billed.

Anyone who is paying monthly by DD is unlikely to ever get a formal demand during the supply as the supplier will usually simply adjust the DD amounts accordingly

cing0

LittleYoda wrote: »

Hello

Has anybody any other advice to ensure that the transfer takes place as smoothly and as quickly as possible, and that I don't get stiffed by Spark Energy.

The problems you talk about are common to all suppliers, not just Spark.You'll just have to work through the process. To make it as painless as possible:

Submit gas and electric meter readings to spark online or via email NOW and ask for confirmation they have received them. Under the Standard conditions of supply licence, "the licensee must take all reasonable steps to reflect the meter reading in the next Bill or statement of account sent to the Customer”.

On your switch date, supply opening meter readings to your new supplier EDF and also send them to Spark as above. Ask both to confirm receipt by email (don't waster your money WRITING, emails to spark customerervice@ email address are auto-receipt confirmed). Your not bothered if they are actually going to use them, the license says they should query them if they don't think they are correct.

Although no guarantees, you now have evidence of receipt for a complaint all the way up to the Ombudsman for your new supplier EDF making up readings. You can also take Spark to Ofgem for license breach if it has not recorded your meter readings.
Energy suppliers have a tendency of ignoring or deleting later meter readings so that they can fabricate their own opening/closing meter readings to extort revenue and block switches. Note because you will have taken your new supplier to the Ombudsman, it will subsequently be funny with you and dispense poor customer service. Hence the reason for always using email so you have a record of your correspondence (unless you want to record and transcribe all your phone calls).