Another EDF Screw-up. Ideas?

vlad_the_impaler

Hi,


Rather than helping with other's issues, I have one of my own I hope I can get some help with?


I have an outstanding account balance with EDF of £900. The reason I have not paid it is this:


1) They sent me an absolutely incomprehensible set of bills, which mixed gas and electricity together, refunded, and added on costs for periods I thought I had already settled, and came up with this quite heroic figure when I thought I was due 1/3 of that.


2) This happened a couple of years ago. I have asked them by phone and in writing more than once for an accounting how how they got to this figure? I want to see start and stop meter values, costs, and payment offsets. Sounds not unreasonable? They don't seem to be able to provide it. What I have had is contradictory, and makes no mathematical sense.


I must say, I don't have a problem with paying a bill - but to get some random £900 bill that seems to have no obvious supporting documentation or justification seems to be taking the p*ss somewhat? I left them, and went to the Co-op. No problem with these bills; I understand them, they are regular, and they don't suddenly fall through a time warp and demand payment for previous periods! I have used Scottish Power in the past as well, with no billing problems whatsoever, but with EDF I had problem after problem; they moved me to DD twice without my permission, they somehow separated the gas from the electricity despite the fact they were linked. They could not have made it harder if they tried - and this makes me very suspicious. It was the worst decision I ever made going to them - never again!


They are now threatening the usual - legal action etc. What should I do from here? Do we have any pro-forma letter templates? Any suggestions would be most helpful.


Thanks,

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Just write a simple letter asking again for a detailed invoice outlining their charges. Advise that if they can't do this, to book a date with the small claims court, where the matter can be settled.

Bubblebath

vlad_the_impaler wrote: »

Hi,


Rather than helping with other's issues, I have one of my own I hope I can get some help with?


I have an outstanding account balance with EDF of £900. The reason I have not paid it is this:


1) They sent me an absolutely incomprehensible set of bills, which mixed gas and electricity together, refunded, and added on costs for periods I thought I had already settled, and came up with this quite heroic figure when I thought I was due 1/3 of that.


2) This happened a couple of years ago. I have asked them by phone and in writing more than once for an accounting how how they got to this figure? I want to see start and stop meter values, costs, and payment offsets. Sounds not unreasonable? They don't seem to be able to provide it. What I have had is contradictory, and makes no mathematical sense.


I must say, I don't have a problem with paying a bill - but to get some random £900 bill that seems to have no obvious supporting documentation or justification seems to be taking the p*ss somewhat? I left them, and went to the Co-op. No problem with these bills; I understand them, they are regular, and they don't suddenly fall through a time warp and demand payment for previous periods! I have used Scottish Power in the past as well, with no billing problems whatsoever, but with EDF I had problem after problem; they moved me to DD twice without my permission, they somehow separated the gas from the electricity despite the fact they were linked. They could not have made it harder if they tried - and this makes me very suspicious. It was the worst decision I ever made going to them - never again!


They are now threatening the usual - legal action etc. What should I do from here? Do we have any pro-forma letter templates? Any suggestions would be most helpful.


Thanks,

If you are prepared to post a copy of the full bill here (after removing any identifiable information) then perhaps we could help you.

Otherwise I suggest you make an appointment with the local CAB, take along your bill, and I'm sure they will explain it to you.

Not sure why you have left this for 2 years though... :cool:

They probably won't bother with any legal action if they can put in a PPM instead, and recover the outstanding amount via that.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Bubblebath wrote: »

They probably won't bother with any legal action if they can put in a PPM instead, and recover the outstanding amount via that.

Considering the OP is now supplied by Co-op, this seems unlikely :cool:

Bubblebath

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Considering the OP is now supplied by Co-op, this seems unlikely :cool:

Not sure how EDF let them leave owing £900 :cool:

Oh the magic of the internet...

vlad_the_impaler

They let me leave as I put in a complaint to the ombudsman against them over the poor handling of the case up to the point when I left. They failed to respond as 45 days, and that left them liable I believe. It all went quiet until this last week.


I don't really understand the comment re 'magic' -I appreciate that I did not make it clear how I got the account shut down before leaving - hopefully the above will answer that for you?


The latest is that they have put the account on hold until the end of August. I have asked them to provide the reckoning of how they got to the bill - once received I will post it with redacted personal info as another poster suggested.


Thanks for the responses so far. One thing - what is a PPM?

brewerdave

PPM = pre payment meter