First Utility block switching away to rip you off

Ianeker

So I apply to switch from first utility (after their massive price increase) and they block it until i clear the balance (rather than make the transfer an then send a final bill....like "every" other supplier. I pay the bill straight away and they do nothing to restart the switch process (so they can carry on ripping me off). Nice tactic!

I call to explain that I'm out of pocket an ask if they will off a gesture of goodwill. After 1hr on the phone I get a supervisor who says that (technically) they haven't done anything wrong. Ropey sharky rip off merchants who tie you, stop you switching away and hide behind small print. Has anyone else suffered this sharp practice?.

GingerBob_3

Ianeker wrote: »

So I apply to switch from first utility (after their massive price increase) and they block it until i clear the balance (rather than make the transfer an then send a final bill....like "every" other supplier. I pay the bill straight away and they do nothing to restart the switch process (so they can carry on ripping me off). Nice tactic!

I call to explain that I'm out of pocket an ask if they will off a gesture of goodwill. After 1hr on the phone I get a supervisor who says that (technically) they haven't done anything wrong. Ropey sharky rip off merchants who tie you, stop you switching away and hide behind small print. Has anyone else suffered this sharp practice?.

This doesn't surprise me. And the stupid government can't understand why people are reluctant to switch.

Biscuit_Tin

Ianeker wrote: »

So I apply to switch from first utility (after their massive price increase) and they block it until i clear the balance (rather than make the transfer an then send a final bill....like "every" other supplier. I pay the bill straight away and they do nothing to restart the switch process (so they can carry on ripping me off). Nice tactic!

I call to explain that I'm out of pocket an ask if they will off a gesture of goodwill. After 1hr on the phone I get a supervisor who says that (technically) they haven't done anything wrong. Ropey sharky rip off merchants who tie you, stop you switching away and hide behind small print. Has anyone else suffered this sharp practice?.

Suppliers are only permitted to block switching away where you have an existing debt. i.e they have billed you at least 28 days beforehand or otherwise demanded payment, and you have failed to pay.

Most suppliers will block in such an instance. If you've not paid the bill when they are supplying you, what would make them think you will pay the bill when they no longer supply you? :huh:

If you had no such debt, and they blocked you because of an alleged debt that doesn't exist, complain! Usual recompense would be at least to allow you to switch, to compensate you for any loss incurred in them wrongly preventing/delaying the switch and probably a small goodwill gesture too.

If you have a valid complaint and you don't get the above, keep going until it gets to the ombudsman who will arrange such compensation.

Ianeker

Thanks for the reply. I was paying on direct debit so there was a history of payment.

What annoyed me the most was that they took no action (nor told me that I would have to restart the switch process) once I cleared the bill.

They just carried on billing me (at their hugely inflated rate) and protested that they "hadn't misinformed me" (ie - they told me nothing)!

Biscuit_Tin

Ianeker wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I was paying on direct debit so there was a history of payment.

What annoyed me the most was that they took no action (nor told me that I would have to restart the switch process) once I cleared the bill.

They just carried on billing me (at their hugely inflated rate) and protested that they "hadn't misinformed me" (ie - they told me nothing)!

I don't think they charge a "hugely inflated rate" in the first place.

They usually come out near the top of most energy comparisons I try, and looking at other threads, I see many others have found similar recently.

Obviously it all depends on your own usage & region.

But I have explained in my previous post the situation.

Ianeker

Hi again biscuit tin.

I didn't explain properly. Their initial price comparison prices are competitive enough....but it was after the initial pricing period that the cost rocketed. So the longer they can hold me on the inflated rate the more money they make. Seems that this is their business model.

Writing to ofgem as we speak. Thanks!

Game_Over

It would be most extraordinary for any supplier to send a bill/demand for payment for any customer that is currently paying monthly by DD. (except possibly a final bill). The supplier simply arranges to a revision of the monthly payment to reflect more accurately the consumption and to allow for any credit/debit on the account.

Any chance you could post an image of this bill/demand for payment that you failed to pay within 28 days, but then paid up on when they prevented you from leaving?
(Please remove any personally identifiable information first)

Obvious question, but why didn't you pay it when you were first asked? :huh:

Ianeker

Hi game over

That's the thing! It was the 1st paper bill id ever had so there was nothing "unpaid" over 28 days. I paid it straight away (and threw the bill away since).....this was a few weeks back now.

All seems too convenient for the company......to use as an excuse and carry on with me on their premium tarrif (until they send me my next bill and I realise what's going on). It was only because I canceled the dd that they contacted me.

societys_child

It was only because I canceled the dd that they contacted me.

Ahhh, that's probably wot done it . . .

Ianeker

No

They blocked the transfer over 2 weeks before I canceled the dd