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

ally18

Nada666 wrote: »

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.

Well I know that now but I didn't at the time of cancelling so yes I done wrong!

Nada666

ally18 wrote: »

Well I know that now but I didn't at the time of cancelling so yes I done wrong!

Sorry, I know it's frustrating but you may have to chalk it down.

Once everything has gone through you can always try writing a complaint and ask for it be reconsidered and ask for a credit of the difference. Don't complain or phrase it negatively - just a concise list - end readings, price on original tariffs, price you were charged and total difference you would like credited. But try to just phrase it neutrally and you may strike lucky with a sympathetic correspondent.

naedanger

Nada666 wrote: »

Sorry, I know it's frustrating but you may have to chalk it down.

Once everything has gone through you can always try writing a complaint and ask for it be reconsidered and ask for a credit of the difference. Don't complain or phrase it negatively - just a concise list - end readings, price on original tariffs, price you were charged and total difference you would like credited. But try to just phrase it neutrally and you may strike lucky with a sympathetic correspondent.

I agree it may be worth complaining if the amount is material. So long as the supplier is not materially adversely affected (i.e. they get all their payments on time automatically by dd) then I think they are being unreasonable ending the tariff.(Suppose someone changes their bank account. They will have to cancel the dd with the old bank and start another with the new bank. Is it reasonable for the supplier to end the tariff in such circumstances.)

Also if the supplier has made any errors then unless they paid compensation for those errors I would highlight the double standards, namely when the supplier makes an error there is no adverse consequence for them whereas if the customer makes an error they are penalised.

If the amount at stake was significant I would take the case to the Ombudsman if necessary.

However I agree with the earlier comment that the change in tariff is probably not that big a deal at this stage of the contract. It is more important finding out what is the true balance i.e. a credit or a large debit.

ally18

Thanks very much for your comments guys, I know now for future not to do this but I quite agree with your point naedanger about changing banks. I'm sure some people would cancel their existing dd and then try to set up another with the new bank, I wonder if the supplier automatically change the tariff over? Trying to get in touch with them via phone is impossible at the moment so surely a person should not be penalised for something like this. They probably would not even know that there is the danger of this happening.
The extra cost should not be too much really over the next 3/4 weeks, I can handle that. I hope the switch will go through with that false debit amount on the account.
I will keep an eye on it.
Thanks again.