Scottish Power Bill Shock Quarterly Cash Tariff

advice_please_2

No real excuses my end, but an oversight

Moved into a new property June 2013
I carried on same electric and gas supplier, Scottish Gas, first couple of statements came through as more or less Quarterly but my last statement just come through is Annual showing my Nov-13 to current October!

Readings
Elec
Nov-13 46983
Oct-14 50098
£693

Gas
Nov-13 14953
Oct-14 16365
£696

Bill of £1450 to pay.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

so, do you mean you've paid nothing for that period?

advice_please_2

Yes. My bills were all up to date
I've paid everything on time when I see my email alerts for statements

For whatever reason quarterly statements hadn't come through and lumped into one!

advice_please_2

Will need to get a credit card to spread payment

Then find who to sign up with a monthly direct debit!!

Nada666

Rather than paying by credit card (unless you have a zero percent one, unlikely for such a purchase) you could switch to paying Scottish Power by direct debit (on a cheaper tariff.)

Alternatively, if that debit would be too high, you can arrange to pay over six or twelve months as you are - if you are correct and no quarterly bills were sent (rather than not noticed by you) no late charges will be levied.

Either way will be cheaper than paying the interest on a credit card.

Unless you switch to a cheaper tariff with a different supplier - if you can pay off within three or four months then savings from changing to cheapest tariff will be worthwhile (but only, of course, if you have the discipline to actually pay it back - if you did not bother to check your meters and make provision for when the Scottish Power bill came through this may not be a sensible tack.)

advice_please_2

Thanks

Yes no late charges as had nothing come through

I was think of applying for a purposeful 0% credit card just for this to pay over say 12 months and in the meantime switch to direct debit.
Do I just stay with Scottish power in a new tariff or switch supplier?

matelodave

You wont be able to switch to a new supplier until you pay your bill or most of it.

There is an industry agreement that may allow you to swap however there are rules and they can refuse if your debt is over £500, you've had it for more than 28 days or you don't have a prepayment meter. See this link http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/problems_switching_energy_suppliers/you_cant_switch_energy_supplier_because_of_a_debt.htm

Horace

Speak to Scottish Power.

Do you pay monthly or quarterly, are your bills up to date?

I pay a set price each month for my dual fuel with them (fixed until July 2015) and pay £55 a month - I am always in credit. Maybe you need to start looking at the tariffs and see if you can switch to a cheaper one but that still leaves this debt that needs to be paid off.

advice_please_2

I'm suppose to be on quarterly bill and pay for it when statements come through, but I've totally forgotten as no alerts and nothing came through as quarters and just hit me in 1 bill as an annual!

Fair shout, will look to get it paid

And then look at options on supplier and direct debit option on monthly