Switching but no bill.. Why?

vintagebrighton

Hi, I was with Southern Electric for both gas and electricity but switched to Ebico (who get their supply from SE) in September. Nothing happened except a welcome pack from Ebico and a date when my account will be switched, 24/9. I wait for a bill from SE, nothing.

I ring last week and was told that a bill went out on 8/10 and from then I'm with Ebico. I didn't receive the bill so asked for a replacement.

A week later still no bills and no final demands either so I ring again. This time I'm told that the act of switching means the bill is stopped so my next bill will be January 2014!!! Has anyone heard of this happening before? Would they really want to let me have 6 months of utilities without a payment? (I pay the bills when they arrive, no DD's)

Seems very odd to me... I thought there'd be a final bill so one account is clear before being closed. Anyone else had this happen?

Thanks

vintagebrighton

Hmm, I guess either this hasn't happened to anyone else or it's standard practice so no-one bats an eyelid!

Any chance of directing me to any possible guidelines for switching and/or protocols companies are supposed to adhere to please?

Thanks

tictak

I think most people pay by DD so thats why they cant offer any help

vintagebrighton

tictak wrote: »

I think most people pay by DD so thats why they cant offer any help

Should that matter? I mean, I would've expected a closing bill from the SE account, isn't that standard? Close the account and then set up a new one? Otherwise, what's the point of even having a separate company? And why would switching mean the quarterly bill is automatically stopped (despite the fact the change was meant to happen in September)?