Eon refused payment plan

[Deleted User]

Hello, to make a very long story short...

Lived with girlfriend, had gas and electric under my name, split up and now I'm stuck with all the debt and EON won't let me set up a repayment plan of £30 for a £600 debt without a substantial payment.

The slightly longer version...
I split up with my partner who I was living with in November last year, the gas and electric at the address was in my name and I now have outstanding debt who my ex refuses to contribute to.

I understand that this is my debt as it is in my name. There was a point when she told me that she had taken responsibility for it but it turns out not. This is the primary reason why it is still outstanding, and yes, I understand it was naive of me to have taken her word for it.

All of this aside, I now need to pay back EON £600. I'm currently living with a friend and only just found employment in January, having to move from the previous area and leave my old job too.

Today, I phoned EON and tried to set up a repayment plan. I noted my current situation (staying with a friend which is obviously not going to be an option indefinitely, thus needing to save to move!) and offered a token payment today and £30 a month for the next 20 months to clear the outstanding balance.

I was told that I would have to pay £300 today minimum before EON would even entertain setting up a plan.

I explained that I don't have that sort of money and that I was hoping to make a token payment of £5 today and that I would like to set up a payment of £30 a month and that there is a very good chance that I could increase that in the future but made it very clear that it's what I can afford currently.

The EON rep noted that this wouldn't be possible, and that I could make a token payment but she couldn't guaranty that the payment wouldn't be taken up with a debt collector unless a substantial amount of the debt was paid.

So, I made the token payment anyway (because it really is what I could afford!)

And I had to leave it at that because the rep wouldn't budge on this stance.

Now, I was responsible, called up, tried to set up a plan and outright refused my offer. Can they really do this? Are there any other options to me other than just letting this all get escalated with a debt collector? (Obviously other than pay the whole thing off!)

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi DeletedUser

How long has the debt been outstanding?

If we've not received any payments for quite a time, we'll usually ask for half the balance before considering a payment arrangement.

It' also highly unlikely we'll spread a balance over 20 months. The usual period for closed accounts is between 4 to 6 months. Unless, that is, we're at fault. In this case, we'll usually spread a balance over a similar amount of time it took to put our mistake right.

Sorry I can't offer any alternative to what you've already been told DeletedUser.

Malc

chanz4

Malcolm, is that taking the customers ability to pay into consideration, with closed accounts dont forget you have to take into account also that the op is paying for another supply also.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi chanz4

The above is just general advice based on the information available.

Each case is looked at on its merits and individual circumstances are taken into consideration. We've specialist teams who can advise people with particular difficulties such as vulnerable customers.

As I say, it's usual but not certain we'll ask for part payment where a balance has been outstanding for quite a time. It's also unlikely, but again not definite, we'll spread a balance over 20 months. It depends on the circumstances.

Hope this is clearer.

Malc