Switching suppliers - which day for reading

StinkerPinker

I was looking at another thread about someone switching to nPower and noted that he said he had given a meter reading from the day of the switch.

Is that standard practice? I'm switching too, and haven't been asked for a reading yet but I am in a position to provide a reading for the day I initiated the switch if needed.

It's just that I was under the impression one had to wait until the day the new supplier is ready for a reading and demands it, and give it for THAT day.

ps. starting to feel distinctly queasy about changing to nPower after reading some of the stuff on here!

ExtraMask

When changing supplier it can take between 4 and 6 weeks to complete the switch. During that time you'll be charged by the exsisting provider.

It's normally a week before the switch date when npower will write to notify you of the exact date and when to supply opening reads.

In regards to the 'stuff on here' you're hardly ever going to find a load of appraisal for any energy company. People love to complain because it gives them an opportunity to vent the frustration they feel, which then gives them a temporary sense of relief. You'll hardly ever see posts dedicated to positive comments on an energy company. When we have a good customer experience, we expect it as it's their job to serve us and deliver good service on every interection.

Take rants on here with a pinch of salt, if 1 in 10 customers had an issue then you'll get that 10% posting on here, which would make it look like issues are a given with a particular company.

SnowMan

StinkerPinker wrote: »

I was looking at another thread about someone switching to nPower and noted that he said he had given a meter reading from the day of the switch.

Is that standard practice? I'm switching too, and haven't been asked for a reading yet but I am in a position to provide a reading for the day I initiated the switch if needed.

It's just that I was under the impression one had to wait until the day the new supplier is ready for a reading and demands it, and give it for THAT day.

ps. starting to feel distinctly queasy about changing to nPower after reading some of the stuff on here!

Be afraid. Be very afraid :rotfl:

I've just switched dual fuel to Npower, and yes they are a complete and total shambles.

They gave me a date for the gas switch (no mention of electricity) and subsequently sent me an email to say when to take a reading for my gas.

So I took a gas reading on the switch date (they give you the option of any date within about one week either side of the switch date).

I entered this on-line as required but their system said it wouldn't accept this without an electricity reading also. So I entered that also and it accepted that.

I later noticed that my account was showing that I had given them no meter readings. I rang them up and after a 45 minutes wait on the phone (their system repeatedly tells me I wasn't born on the day I was born on which made it difficult getting through security) they said their on-line system had 'lost' my readings. So I gave my readings again and they assured me they would be used. They told me my electricity had switched over on the same day as my gas, but they have sent me no email or letter about this so who knows if that is true.

Then get an email about a day later saying that I hadn't given them a meter reading and saying patronisingly 'please do so because it is easy to do so'.

I sent an on-line message to them to say please confirm that they had my readings by the end of the following day. They have ignored that message completely and have not responded.

They now have my gas reading recorded when I log in but haven't got my electricity reading recorded on their system. I tried ringing yesterday but the message is that the wait time to be answered is over 45 minutes so gave up.

As it is impossible to get Npower to use my opening electricity reading it looks like they haven't passed it on to my old supplier so there is going to be a delay getting back the credit on my old account.


I suggest you do take readings on your switch date (if you are lucky enough to have been told when that is) and make a note of when you have given Npower readings, so that when Npower don't use them you can make a complaint.

But in summary believe everything you read.

macman

How do you expect to get an accurate bill if you don't supply a closing read?

StinkerPinker

Thank you all for your responses.
ExtraMask - I take your point, but there does seem a particular consensus that nPower are a complete shower in the customer service area, and they say so themselves with an apology on their own website plus having to shell out £1m to make amends. Meanwhile I am now in week 8 with no meter reading request from them - late already before
I've even got an account. Doesn't bode well.
macman - I DID get a free laptop! a neighbour gifted me an old one when she upgraded, and I'm writing this on it. Still no free lunch though....

Farway

I have just switched to npower, electric only, and had letter and telling me my switch date was yesterday, and requesting reading

Did that, unable to use web site, seems it is bu66ered, so phoned them on 0800 number

Got cut off first time, second time I got through and, whilst there was a wait, it was only about 5 minutes, staff were helpful & polite, so far no compliant at all on the process

nPower

StinkerPinker wrote: »

I was looking at another thread about someone switching to nPower and noted that he said he had given a meter reading from the day of the switch.

Is that standard practice? I'm switching too, and haven't been asked for a reading yet but I am in a position to provide a reading for the day I initiated the switch if needed.

It's just that I was under the impression one had to wait until the day the new supplier is ready for a reading and demands it, and give it for THAT day.

ps. starting to feel distinctly queasy about changing to nPower after reading some of the stuff on here!

Hi StinkerPinker,

Thanks for choosing us as your supplier . ExtraMask is correct that it can take between 4 to 6 weeks for a transfer to be completed.

We will notify you in advance of your start date so you can provide an opening meter reading at the required time, although I can see from your last post that you haven't received any communication from us.

I'd like to get some clarity on this for you, therefore if you can email me your details using the address from my profile, I'll see what's happening with your transfer for you. Alternatively, you can call us on 0800 316 3375 / 0330 100 8674.

Thanks

Leigh