NPower : The biggest RIP-OFF supplier?

Spooky

I've switched suppliers numerous times over the years. Each time I've switched back to NPower I've noticed that within 6 months they automatically put up my my direct debit payments. I then have a huge credit on my bill later down the line as I switch to a better deal with another supplier.

As no other energy supplier I've switched to has EVER put up my payments during my time with them, I can only assume NPower do this to ensure ALL customers are in credit and thus can then make millions in interest alone on this surplus cash.

Despite this knowledge I reluctantly switched back to them last Xmas as they had a cheaper deal. Low and behold I got a letter today to say they were putting my payments UP despite the fact I'm on a fixed deal, and despite the fact that wholesale prices have come down considerably this year, as reported in todays news.

Seven years ago they put my bill UP by 300%, yes 300%. A phone call reduced that, but I just wondered if any other NPower customers had a similar experience and whether this was the norm for this particular company.

One things for sure I'll NEVER be tempted by their cheaper deals again. I should have stayed with EDF.

They are truly CONNING their customers, and should be reported to OFGEM.

chanz4

do you ever provide reads

Spooky

I purposely didn't provide a reading when I switched at Xmas in the thinking that if they have NO meter reading then they will have NO grounds to increase my payments. How wrong I was, as despite this they said that because of my usage they are putting my payments up.

If they have no proof of my usage because of no readings then how can they justify putting my payments up?

Ah well, never mind.

pogofish

They still shove your DD-up even if you are punctilious about submitting regular readings. Your DD can go right down for short periods but then it starts going up and up and bloody-UP!

Yes, you do get it back every so-often but by then, you can be out many hundreds of pounds for a substantial period - Which I'd rather have earning interest or doing other things in my bank, not theirs!

davehsug

End of the winter period. Billed to firm reads £130 in credit. They put the DD up! How do they manage to do that? By calculating my next years usage upping my prices to a standard tariff when my fixed deal ends in November! They will do anything to hang on to your money!

Nada666

Nope, I have not experienced this. The one time I was in credit it was returned automatically within a month of leaving.

arbroath_lass

I have experienced this. My gas usage over the last six months is down over a third (new boiler) - they still insisted on putting my DD up despite me already being in credit over the winter (£200 not pennies). And their "prediction" of my future usage is the same as I used pre-new boiler. I send readings every month.

pogofish

Yup - The "credit" at my last bill was over £500, despite a similar sized refund in January and my DD has gone back-up from ten quid in January, to over £250 - Naturally, my energy consumption has gone right down from the depths of winter!