Vent! Estimated meter readings

vyle

I just got a lovely letter from EDF threatening legal action and bailifs because of an unpaid gas bill for £330 based on an estimated final meter reading of 3592 units. They decided this when I left to go to Sainsburys Energy.

The amusing thing is that even now, on 5th October (the estimate was in May) my use is 3099 units. Quite the over-estimation.

I informed them of their mistake in May, June and July. Each time, I provided the actual meter reading. Each time they said they would raise it with Sainsburys. Each time they put a stop on the bill.

In July I got a letter confirming that they had "accepted my revised meter reading." and my initial Sainsburys gas bill was in credit.

Yet here I am will a bill and a legal threat, and as far as EDF is concerned I've still used 500 more units of gas than I actually have, and they inform me that Sainsburys now has to raise the dispute.

Naturally, Sainsburys Energy's phone lines are down until monday.

What is the point of estimated meter readings? Apparently EDF has never, in the four years I was with them, taken an actual gas meter reading! Is it really that hard to send a dude around to check once a year?

I'm almost tempted to let them take me to court over this :mad:.

Sorry for the rant, but it's rather irritating.

bod1467

I'm with EDF. I get email notifications to enter my current meter readings a few times a year, and a physical reading is taken every year or two.

vyle

bod1467 wrote: »

I'm with EDF. I get email notifications to enter my current meter readings a few times a year, and a physical reading is taken every year or two.

My ex dealt with the energy situation until he moved out in May and closed the account. I immediately transferred to sainsburys (£80 cheaper a year) and so EDF opened a transitional account for in between. I dont know if my ex got any email notifications, but i do recall him submitting electricity readings, but not gas.

Either way, im not having much luck getting my bill amended right now lol.

Azari

vyle wrote: »

I'm almost tempted to let them take me to court over this.

I have been in similar situations and that is often the best option. (Of course, it never happens.)

Send them a letter by signed for delivery. (Even if they claim not to have had it you would have evidence that you sent them something important enough to send 'signed for'.) Explain carefully and concisely the exact sequence of events (including what they have told you), with dates.

We get these problems because of systemic errors in both computer systems and procedures and the fact that the people you deal with don't have the authority or facilities to properly handle the situation.

The only solution is to let it keep going until it drifts up to a real possibility of a court case, in which case someone much higher up the food chain will review the facts and realise that they haven't got a leg to stand on.

The only thing you need to be careful of is that if the debt is small enough they may well just write it off but leave a note on your credit file.

Sadly, in that case, what this means is that you can either bang your head against a brick wall trying to get them to see sense now, or bang your head against a brick wall later trying to get the credit note removed later.

paddyrg

Maybe one letter to both Sainsbury's and EDF making sure both parties know the other had a copy. Make sure you send photos of the meter. Maybe get ofgem in there too.

vyle

Paddy + Azari:

Sounds like a good idea. I'll do that on monday. I'm not going to leave this be, because it's really got on my nerves now.

Hoof_Hearted

The opening Sainsbury reading should be the same as the EDF closing reading. Are they? Normally when you switch suppliers the new one asks for a meter reading on the switchover day. The suppliers then use this as the closing/opening readings.