EDF - they just don't like refunding you!

GingerBob_3

Had my regular tussle with EDF today to get a refund. Here we are in June and I'm £150 in credit, "so please pay it back to me".


"Oh well, we expect customers to be in credit coming up to the winter months, then at the end of the billing period [March 2016] you won't have a negative balance" - or words to that effect.


The impudence of these people is breath-taking! They expect me to lodge £150 - and more as the summer goes on - with them, to pay my bill in nine months time. No chance. Refund was arranged.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Vote with your feet.

OVO are great in my experience.

modsandmockers

GingerBob wrote: »

Had my regular tussle with EDF today to get a refund. Here we are in June and I'm £150 in credit, "so please pay it back to me".


"Oh well, we expect customers to be in credit coming up to the winter months, then at the end of the billing period [March 2016] you won't have a negative balance" - or words to that effect.


The impudence of these people is breath-taking! They expect me to lodge £150 - and more as the summer goes on - with them, to pay my bill in nine months time. No chance. Refund was arranged.

I think your story illustrates two separate points -

1 - too many people don't take the trouble to 'manage' their energy payments, and the energy companies take every advantage

2 - the minority of customers who do take the trouble usually get their way with very little resistance

SoletraderSteve

I take it as your annual billing period ends March 2016, that you have just had your latest one, March 2015? All to actual meter readings I assume and not estimated? Iif your billing period goes from March to March it is likely you will go immediatetly into credit at the start, build up enough to go towards your Winter usage with the aim of being at a balance as close to zero as possible come next March. If you do not like how Budget Direct Debit works, then change payment methods.

GingerBob_3

SoletraderSteve wrote: »

I take it as your annual billing period ends March 2016, that you have just had your latest one, March 2015? All to actual meter readings I assume and not estimated? Iif your billing period goes from March to March it is likely you will go immediatetly into credit at the start, build up enough to go towards your Winter usage with the aim of being at a balance as close to zero as possible come next March. If you do not like how Budget Direct Debit works, then change payment methods.

That's a good idea - not; go to a more expensive tariff? No thanks. I'll pay for energy after I use it, rather than nine months up front - and I'll pay on the cheapest possible tariff.

fat-pudding

I've never had a problem with EDF and billing this way, I always begin the summer months owing them money and by the end of the summer they owe me money. By the time we're halfway through winter we're even again and then I start owing them money.

GingerBob_3

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Vote with your feet.

OVO are great in my experience.

But it can be such a bloody pain moving. Anyway, overall I'm happy with EDF. I just don't like the way they - and the others - try to hang onto your cash.

SoletraderSteve

That is why I suggested changing your PAYMENT METHOD not tariff. Changing to Direct Debit Whole Amount where only pay for what you have used, in full either monthly or quarterly. It costs no more and you pay for energy after use which is what you have stated you wish to do.

GingerBob_3

SoletraderSteve wrote: »

That is why I suggested changing your PAYMENT METHOD not tariff. Changing to Direct Debit Whole Amount where only pay for what you have used, in full either monthly or quarterly. It costs no more and you pay for energy after use which is what you have stated you wish to do.

Can you stay on the BluePrice tariffs if you do that? I thought you couldn't, but maybe I'm wrong.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

GingerBob wrote: »

. I'll pay for energy after I use it

credit

[kred-it]

confidence in a purchaser's ability and intention to pay, displayed by entrusting the buyer with goods or services without immediate payment.

:rotfl:

I knew it!

SoletraderSteve

GingerBob wrote: »

Can you stay on the BluePrice tariffs if you do that? I thought you couldn't, but maybe I'm wrong.

Yes. Once you are on a tariff you can change payment methods as much as you like, without changing tariff. The only time it will change the cost is if you switch away from Direct Debit to Cash or Cheque back, as the Unit Rate for Direct Debit is lower. The type of Direct Debit you are on (Budget Monthly Direct Debit) is the most popular. It allows you to spread your yearly costs out over 12 instalments and not have to pay larger amounds over the Winter period. If by the sounds of it you do not like building up this credit for your more expensive months then that it what the Direct Debit Whole amount method is for. Personally, I would rather build the credit up and use it over the Winter and not have to pay out larger bills during this period. I also ensure that my payments are on track by giving meter readings every quarter. This helps me budget better between the Summer and Winter months. However, that is just me and everyone is different hence the range of payment methods available to you.