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nPower incompetence

Hi all,

A couple of years ago, I switched my energy from EDF to nPower to take advantage of a fixed deal.
In the time since, nPower - for about a year, and despite phone calls from me - did not take any money via the direct debit that I had set up for the gas (they did for the electricity). When this was eventually 'sorted' the debt stood at around £500. They then began taking just £18 per month for some time. The debt is now over £800, and my monthly payment - through no fault of my own - is now £135 (reminder to self - check that they are actually taking it this time...)
I suppose what I want advice on is whether I have any recourse, as I am now paying a huge amount each month, and because of that debt I cannot shop around for a better deal. It seems they have me over a barrel.

Comments

  • ianlinsley wrote: »
    Hi all,

    A couple of years ago, I switched my energy from EDF to nPower to take advantage of a fixed deal.
    In the time since, nPower - for about a year, and despite phone calls from me - did not take any money via the direct debit that I had set up for the gas (they did for the electricity). When this was eventually 'sorted' the debt stood at around £500. They then began taking just £18 per month for some time. The debt is now over £800, and my monthly payment - through no fault of my own - is now £135 (reminder to self - check that they are actually taking it this time...)
    I suppose what I want advice on is whether I have any recourse, as I am now paying a huge amount each month, and because of that debt I cannot shop around for a better deal. It seems they have me over a barrel.

    Why can't you just pay off the debt and keep your DD at appropriate level to cover your consumption?
  • B0wtiesAreC00l
    B0wtiesAreC00l Posts: 2 Newbie
    edited 29 September 2013 at 11:59AM
    The point I was making is that despite many calls to nPower over the last year to get this sorted, they did NOTHING. And no, I cannot afford the debt as it is now.
  • nPower
    nPower Posts: 1,319 Organisation Representative
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The point I was making is that despite many calls to nPower over the two year period to get this sorted, they did NOTHING. And no, I cannot afford the debt as it is now.

    Hi,

    If you would like me to take a look at this for you and see if there is anything I can do to lower your monthly payment please email me on the address on my profile page.

    Thanks

    Carmel :)
    Official Company Representative"
    I am the official company representative of nPower. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE.
    If we ask you to contact us, please do so using helpandsupport@npower.com - MSE Forum has temporarily allowed the display of our contact details in our signature due to a technical issue with our profile
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you knew that they were not taking the DD, surely you put the money aside in preparation for the eventual bill?
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
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