SP - they changed my tariff. Can they do this?

ally18

Hi,

Have I done wrong or is SP in the wrong?

Brief history, been with SP for 18 mths on their fixed online October 14 duel fuel tariff, so it ends on 30th Sept.

On my 49th day prior to the end of the tariff I put in a switch so should be no exit fees.
Since day 1 I have been in credit as my dd was set quite high. As of 13th Aug, credit stood at £299.76 and as I provide monthly meter reads, my usage is up to date and correct. I have an end date of 15th Sept with SP.
So, on 14th Aug, I asked for a £250 refund leaving the acct in credit by £49.76 which should cover my last few weeks usage. My monthly usage for the last 5 months has been between £30 - £38.
I also cancelled my end of month dd so as not to add to the credit balance any further. This is common sense to me.
I have today checked my online account where it says I am over £200 in DEBIT and SP have changed my tariff to their standard one.
I have rung SP and the advisor says the change is because I cancelled my dd and they can do nothing about it. I don't agree with this and having checked all the paperwork they sent me, I can't find anything stating the fact you are penalised for cancelling your dd when you leave them.
Have I done wrong? I think the tariff should stay as it is until I leave them which will be in around 3 weeks time?

[Deleted User]

These cheaper tariffs are usually direct debit only tariffs so the minute you cancel you will be automatically on standard variable tariff

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Whilst the following link doesn't constitute the T's and C's of your contract, it makes it fairly clear not to cancel the DD. I'm sure buried somewhere in the contract it'll say that the tariff is DD mandatory, hence cancelling it will revert to Standard Tariff.

http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/support-centre/switching-supplier

ally18

So, I should have left the dd to be paid and then tried to get the money back from them two weeks later?

Having gone through the same problem of trying to get money back from NP last time, I thought I was being clever to not be in the same situation again. (It took me nearly a year to get what I was owed from them!) And its backfired on me.:(

naedanger

ally18 wrote: »

So, I should have left the dd to be paid and then tried to get the money back from them two weeks later?

Having gone through the same problem of trying to get money back from NP last time, I thought I was being clever to not be in the same situation again. (It took me nearly a year to get what I was owed from them!) And its backfired on me.:(

Have you actually missed a dd payment date? If not could you reinstate it before the payment date?

Also how has cancelling the direct debit pushed you so far into debit. Since you have presumably only been a few days at most on their standard terms I would not have thought the difference in charges would have accumulated to anything like this amount.

ally18

naedanger wrote: »

Have you actually missed a dd payment date? If not could you reinstate it before the payment date?

Also how has cancelling the direct debit pushed you so far into debit. Since you have presumably only been a few days at most on their standard terms I would not have thought the difference in charges would have accumulated to anything like this amount.

Hi,
No, the next dd was due on the 30th August. The advisor couldn't explain how the debit balance was showing as it does because on his screen the balance said zero! He actually wasn't interested and just kept asking me for up to date meter readings so obviously I got slightly annoyed.
I'm trying to speak to them again.

naedanger

ally18 wrote: »

Hi,
No, the next dd was due on the 30th August. The advisor couldn't explain how the debit balance was showing as it does because on his screen the balance said zero! He actually wasn't interested and just kept asking me for up to date meter readings so obviously I got slightly annoyed.
I'm trying to speak to them again.

Well reinstate the dd mandate. Then I cannot see how SP can justify changing your tariff.

macman

The problem is that the original tariff may no longer be available if a reinstatement is required.

ally18

Well, I cannot get through to SP at all now. Their phone calls are not being answered, just put it down after two attempts, 1 for 18 mins and another for 33 mins waiting.
Their call back system is fully booked for next two days, I didn't look after that. I have resorted to sending two emails.

Maybe I will just have to accept this standard tariff till I leave them on 15th Sept. It will cost me a bit more though I am worried now that their incorrect debit amount of over £200 is going to stop my switch.

It should show £38.19 in credit.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

The difference between the two tariffs during these warm(ish!) months will be low; I'd be surprised if it's over £20 or so. The more pressing concern is what the actual balance is on your account.

Nada666

If you cancel your Direct Debit you forfeit all entitlements. You are in the wrong. It is pretty straightforward. Don't do it.

If you had left it in place and then their computers mistakenly (because of human input, mind) did not hold your fix's prices until the switch goes through then you have a case under the new rules. But cancelling your Direct Debit trumps and overrides these.