Charging energy company for time

Drack75

Hi just after a little bit of advice.
I have an ongoing issue with my energy company I have written to them and phoned on numerous occasions.
And it seems they are leading me a merry dance?
I have contacted them tonight to check on the progress of my complaint and informed it has been closed due to the fact I contacted them to see if they had received it ?????
I am looking at charging them for my time but how much is acceptable.
I am hoping someone could offer guidance in regards to this . price for letters
Emails and phone calls. Also could I back date this
Any advice will be great fully received.
Thank you :mad:

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

How much is your time worth?

chanz4

whats the complaint

Drack75

My times worth a lot more than I have been charging with the numerous emails and phone calls.
And the complaint relates to the constant non set up of direct debits setting up incorrect amounts etc
Incompetence at its best they must teach this on their staff enrolment days.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Drack75 wrote: »

Incompetence at its best they must teach this on their staff enrolment days.

I don't think they do.

How much is your time actually worth? Have you logged it? What's your professional charge out rate (if you have one)? What do you earn per hour?

leeruddecology

Does it matter what their professional charge out rate is? Mine could be say 25-30£ per hour but if am an ecologist then I'm not sure how this relates to admin rates? Also, shouldn't there be some kind of agreement in place? Surely you can't just put it on a company I will be charging you x amount?

They might just give you some compensation but I doubt it will be anything great. These companies even if they make mistakes and then admit to it, think you should be happy to just have everything sorted.

I might Be just being rather sinical at the moment. I had a run in with sky and said I was wrong. Took their staffs word over mine. 3 hrs of calls later and they said I was right after listening to the recorded call I had with them.

I still had to push for them to give me what they initially agreed with me.

Armorica

switch provider?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

leeruddecology wrote: »

Does it matter what their professional charge out rate is? Mine could be say 25-30£ per hour but if am an ecologist then I'm not sure how this relates to admin rates? Also, shouldn't there be some kind of agreement in place? Surely you can't just put it on a company I will be charging you x amount?

They might just give you some compensation but I doubt it will be anything great. These companies even if they make mistakes and then admit to it, think you should be happy to just have everything sorted.

I might Be just being rather sinical at the moment. I had a run in with sky and said I was wrong. Took their staffs word over mine. 3 hrs of calls later and they said I was right after listening to the recorded call I had with them.

I still had to push for them to give me what they initially agreed with me.

The Op wanted to charge for their time. I was trying to help them establish what that should be as they didn't seem to have much of a clue themselves.

I didn't say I agreed with their plan (I think it's ludicrous) , but then again I am naturally "sinical"

leeruddecology

It would be interesting to know if anyone has experience of getting paid compensation via per an hour rate. I think I heard of a case but it went to court years ago. I think.

To be honest I often think I should invoice companies. But in reality it's just part of the experience you generally have to accept.

I can't imagine they are not doing the direct debit set up on purpose so should be given a chance to fix sort it out. Although it does sound as if they have had a few.

I would give the energy providers name. If it's Eon you can adjust your DD yourself online. My DD with them does change if myeter readings suggest I'm going to overpay.

I was paying 54£ p/m and had been since April, then I changed it to their "perfect" amount which said 15£ Based on my built up credit of about £150. At the time I was dealing with a complaint and they made comment it shoulf be £42 so I changed it. I then submitted my readings the following month/this month and it automatically took it down to 29£ p/m.

So DD are set by the supplier but can be negotiated at the start as they are only estimates.

They can be lowered by you or the supplier at any time based on actual readings.

So out of curiosity what have your DD been, the supplier and do you submit regular readings?

Norman_Castle

I didn't say I agreed with their plan (I think it's ludicrous) , but then again I am naturally "sinical"

You're wrong to be sinical. Being cynical would be much more appropriate.

dogshome

Only a guess, but from the problems you have listed I suspect your supplier is n'power who are under severe pressure from Ofgem to lower the level of complaints, and 'closing' complaints is a strategy they have adopted to meet targets.

Best bet is to WRITE a letter headed Complaint a.s.a.p, objecting to the closure of your complaint, and listing the saga of your problems.
You don't say how long this has been going on, but be aware that the Ombudsman will not deal with any complaint that is more than 9 months old.

So far as getting recompense for your time goes - Why not?
Your free time is certainly worth the same hourly the rate that you are paid by your employer - With the letter enclose a sheet headed 'Invoice' that itemises each Contact/Letter/Email you have made with an price for each