Just received a large bill, want to switch suppliers

ging84

I've just received a rather large gas and electric bill as it turns out my supplier had not generated my last 2 quarterly bills, so i've just been given a bill for just over 6 months.
Last year when i moved into a new house they started to mess up my bills, i setup a new direct debit earlier in the year, and cleared the outstanding balance and thought everything was fine as i never got any post from them.

With the bill i have i've seen i can switch supplier and save about 25%, but i am now sure if i can do this until i've settled this balance with the current supplier.

I am also not sure how long i have to pay this current bill, it will be a bit of a pain if i have to pay it all right away

dumpallhere

Your supplier may not allow you to switch to another provider unless you have cleared whatever you owe them or agree on a payment plan.

Best to call your supplier and enquire.

See also Collective switch

SoletraderSteve

When you set up the Direct Debit earlier in the year, how many instalments were your arrears at that point and how have you got such a massive bill now if you have been paying by Direct Debit since the turn of the year?

System

ging84 wrote: »

With the bill i have i've seen i can switch supplier and save about 25%, but i am now sure if i can do this until i've settled this balance with the current supplier.

I assume that the large bill is based on actual meter readings? If not, you should read the meters and pass the readings on to your supplier.

C_Mababejive

If you agree the meter readings then you will almost certainly have to pay the bill before the switch is allowed.

footyguy

ging84 wrote: »

I've just received a rather large gas and electric bill as it turns out my supplier had not generated my last 2 quarterly bills, so i've just been given a bill for just over 6 months.
Last year when i moved into a new house they started to mess up my bills, i setup a new direct debit earlier in the year, and cleared the outstanding balance and thought everything was fine as i never got any post from them.

With the bill i have i've seen i can switch supplier and save about 25%, but i am now sure if i can do this until i've settled this balance with the current supplier.

I am also not sure how long i have to pay this current bill, it will be a bit of a pain if i have to pay it all right away

Switching typically still takes 4-6 weeks with most suppliers
(Even if you choose the one who promises it quicker, it'll still take almost 3 weeks)

If you have a bill that requires payment (e.g. you do not pay monthly by direct debit which often is cheaper) then you'll be expected to pay the bill before any switch goes ahead.
(Expect another, final bill from them once any switch does go ahead)

Do consider switching to monthly direct debits in future as not only will it often be cheaper, but it overcomes the issue of you receiving a big bill every 3 months.

As it's just past the summer, even a bill for the last 6 months probably won't cost as much as a big winter quarterly bill would set you back


Edit: You say you do pay by Direct Debit??? :huh:
If you do currently pay by monthly DD, you don't usually get a bill, but a statement. Any accumulated shortfall is normally sorted out via a revised (increased) monthly collection amount. It won't affect your ability to switch. (but you will get a final bill after switching that usually requires immediate & full payment ... but you may be able to negotiate on that when it comes to give you more time to pay)

But if you really have been paying by monthly DD, you really shouldn't be in debt after just the 6 summer months, unless you have been paying well below what any reasonable person would expect. :cool: :huh: :eek:

If you pay quarterly by DD, then the bill probably says when they will (attempt to) collect what you owe.


Edit 2: Reading some of your earlier posts mainly on the housing boards where you are not short on giving out advice, does make we wonder here ... :cool:

Good luck, but I won't be responding to you again.

pochisoldi

C_Mababejive wrote: »

If you agree the meter readings then you will almost certainly have to pay the bill before the switch is allowed.

The oft quoted line is "A transfer to another supplier can be blocked by your current supplier if you are in debt."

The reality is "A transfer to another supplier may be blocked if you owe more than £250".

So if the amount of the bill is not in dispute, and you can afford to pay down the account to below £250, your current supplier cannot block the transfer on the grounds of debt.