Watch out NPower customers - disproportionately high D/D

ChopperST

After much chasing we have just received our first bill from Npower. We moved in over 12 months ago and have been chasing them for a bill since then. We have paid a monthly direct debit since we moved in and therefore accrued a surplus that paid our bill in full with a small amount left over.

They also sent us our estimated usage for the next year which they deem will cost us £930 which seems reasonable enough. However they have increased our DD to £130 a month.

So I rang them to point out that £930 / 12 = £77.50 NOT £130 and that we were in a long term fix so our prices wouldn't change in that time frame.

She said if you don't pay us £129 a month you will be "in debt" to us. I said we wont be because we don't use £130 a month we use £77 a month. In the end we had to get a manager on and got it reduced to £80 a month. But donning her captain obvious cap she pointed our to us that "if there's a shortfall you'll have to pay it!"

I'd check your bills very careful to check they aren't doing the same to other customers and taking far more than they need to cover your monthly usage.

jbuchanangb

I think their objective is to get you to a break even in around March April time, so that you then build up a huge credit during the summer months. My objective is always to have a break even around October, be well in arrears in April and catch up during the summer.
After all, in the old days we always used to pay quarterly in arrears, didn't we?

Pincher

This is so nasty. If they carry on like this, nobody will pay by Direct Debit any more. It feels like car clampers have gone on to run energy suppliers.

ChopperST

Exactly, I did point this out to them on the phone that I'd rather the money in my bank than theirs.

If they run every customer at a £50 surplus every month that's another £20 - £30m they will have on their balance sheet.

JJ_Egan

Ovo pays 3% on your credit balance .

ChopperST

Thats really useful to know I'll bear them in mind come expiry of our current deal.

Smiley_Dan

I'm beginning to wonder they've done the same with us. We've only used £99 of leccy since December 11th and we're paying £70 a month

God knows how long it will take to get back the credit.

ChopperST

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/reclaim-energy-bill-refunds