2 month gas switch delay-compensation?

caper7

I switched gas supply from British Gas to N Power on the 22 October.
I know the switch should take 4-6 weeks, but when nothing had happened after 6 weeks I contacted them.
They recognised a problem had occurred, and that supply was supposed to have started on the 27 November.
A few phone calls and they decided to escalate the issue to a complaint themselves in order to get it sorted out.
I am told supply started on 15 January.

I was offered £25 as a goodwill gesture. Upped to £40 when I moaned a bit.

I had, perhaps incorrectly, imagined they would refund the difference between their prices and British Gas's for the 7 week delay.

When I switched (first time ever) the various websites quoted a six to seven hundred pound saving. I assume this is per year (I entered my previous year's usage), this would average at approx £95 for the 7 week delay. clearly more than the £40 offer.
However, I imagine it really depends on the amount of gas used etc...

My main question is simply are N Power actually under any obligation to refund the price difference for their 7 week delay?
If they are not, I guess I just take the £40.
I am just unclear as to what the rules are in compensating for an approx seven week delay, and do not want to waste my time arguing or going to the ombudsman if in fact they are right in saying they can only compensate for what they call a "failure of service".

Any guidance would be welcome. Thanks.

matelodave

As far as I know 6 weeks is the average, not a legal requirement and not always down to the new supplier, if the old supplier drag their feet in agreeing the switch it can take longer. So it's difficult to actually apportion blame for a slow switch.


They don't have to offer you any compensation nor refund you any difference between their prices and the previous suppliers - they don't even have to accept you as a customer so if Npower have offered you £40 then take it, don't be greedy.