Switch went wrong

Laety

Hi,
I recently switched from coop to first utility. They asked for a final meter reading which I provided for both g and e. However, when calling coop to get final statement (expecting some money back) they told me I owed them £82! I discovered that somewhere in the process of switching, "the industry" thought that my reading was too low and changed it, without even sending anyone to verify!
I now have to take two meter reading with 7 days difference, open a dispute with a new provider and wait 4 to 5 weeks to solve this...
I found out that this "industry" based their estimation on a coop reading that was estimated even though I then called later to give an accurate one.
Is this legal? It seems incredible that they are just entitled to change readings as they like.
Thanks for any advices

macman

The two suppliers have to agree a reading, so the £82 overbilled by the outgoing supplier will not be billed by the incoming supplier.

Laety

But am I obliged to go down the dispute route? Am I entitled to ask them to send someone to do a reading... Seem to me its the easiest and fastest route

System

Laety wrote: »

But am I obliged to go down the dispute route? Am I entitled to ask them to send someone to do a reading... Seem to me its the easiest and fastest route

Taking actual meter readings will achieve very little and they will not do it. As stated above, provided that the closing and opening meter readings are the same then the difference to you is negligible. The gaining supplier is responsible for the switching process and it provides the reads to your old supplier. If your old supplier disagrees with the readings that have been provided with then they have 2 options: one, change their closing reads or, two, raise a dispute with the old supplier. It looks like they are trying to get evidence of your usage to raise a dispute. Sadly, the 'system' lacks speed but you should not lose out.

If you want to escalate the process then just e-mail them with the Subject title COMPLAINT. Your remedy being that they agree with the readings provided to them by your new supplier.