Scottish Power can't set-up new builds

dc101

Hi,

I moved house in December 14 - to a new build property. Having done this before I know it can be fun getting addresses sorted etc. what I wasn't prepared for was Scottish Power not letting me have an account. Apparently they have "Technical Issues" setting up new builds (they were the chosen supplier by the builders unfortunately)

I have gone to the Ombudsman, they agreed a settlement and how it should be handled, and still they have not set me up. This is where I now realise the Ombudsman have no power. They can ask them again! What’s the point they ignored you the first time!

Has anyone taken it further once the Ombudsman has failed to get them to comply? Where should I be looking next? So far I have spent hours chasing this for 8 months, and I am losing the will now. I just want a legal binding that makes them fix it so I can leave them. Plus compensation now for all the hours of call letters, and emails. Let alone stress this is causing.
Plus I have no idea my energy use in my new house as I cannot log meter readings I cannot pay for the energy I am using, I am just racking up a bill of god knows what.
I can't even select a tariff that will save me money!!!

Help where next small claims court I am thinking, but don't really want to pay solicitor fees just to make them listen.
:mad::mad::mad:

Cardew

They can't set up accounts for old builds either;)

Personally I would now leave matters and do nothing. If they do get their act together, with all the documented evidence you have, you will come out of the situation well - in financial terms. They may well write off everything and start anew.

naedanger

dc101 wrote: »

Hi,

I moved house in December 14 - to a new build property. Having done this before I know it can be fun getting addresses sorted etc. what I wasn't prepared for was Scottish Power not letting me have an account. Apparently they have "Technical Issues" setting up new builds (they were the chosen supplier by the builders unfortunately)

I have gone to the Ombudsman, they agreed a settlement and how it should be handled, and still they have not set me up. This is where I now realise the Ombudsman have no power. They can ask them again! What’s the point they ignored you the first time!

Has anyone taken it further once the Ombudsman has failed to get them to comply? Where should I be looking next? So far I have spent hours chasing this for 8 months, and I am losing the will now. I just want a legal binding that makes them fix it so I can leave them. Plus compensation now for all the hours of call letters, and emails. Let alone stress this is causing.
Plus I have no idea my energy use in my new house as I cannot log meter readings I cannot pay for the energy I am using, I am just racking up a bill of god knows what.
I can't even select a tariff that will save me money!!!

Help where next small claims court I am thinking, but don't really want to pay solicitor fees just to make them listen.
:mad::mad::mad:

I would write to Scottish Power and cc the Ombudsman to state that you wish to leave them as soon as they have set up your account. I would also ask them to confirm that the energy they supply from xx/xx/xx (being the date they first failed to meet the Ombudsman's original deadline) until they finally correctly set up your account will be free.

If you don't receive the confirmation within 14 days I would complain to the Ombudsman and ask them to confirm that they will hold SP to this requirement.

Once you have the confirmation keep it safe and enjoy the free energy.

If ScottishPower's IT system only allows a partial implementation of the Ombudsman's solutions, the company has been providing customers with free energy and writing off old debt. This will remain in place until the customer's complaint is resolved. Currently 2000 of ScottishPower's customers are currently receiving free energy.

source:

http://www.energylinx.co.uk/news/2015/03/ofgem-enforce-sales-ban-on-scottishpower.html

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

As Cardew says, do nothing. If they can't get their act together by December 15, you will then start to get free energy. This will dwarf any saving you'll get for switching.

Even if they do get you set up by then, they will give you some sort of discount to compensate for the hassle. Just make sure you're keeping some money set aside for when it does come to pay. As the meter would (I'm assuming) have been installed with a 0 read, it should be very easy to see how much you owe.

[Deleted User]

dc101 wrote: »

Hi,

I moved house in December 14 - to a new build property. Having done this before I know it can be fun getting addresses sorted etc. what I wasn't prepared for was Scottish Power not letting me have an account. Apparently they have "Technical Issues" setting up new builds (they were the chosen supplier by the builders unfortunately)

I have gone to the Ombudsman, they agreed a settlement and how it should be handled, and still they have not set me up. This is where I now realise the Ombudsman have no power. They can ask them again! What’s the point they ignored you the first time!

Has anyone taken it further once the Ombudsman has failed to get them to comply? Where should I be looking next? So far I have spent hours chasing this for 8 months, and I am losing the will now. I just want a legal binding that makes them fix it so I can leave them. Plus compensation now for all the hours of call letters, and emails. Let alone stress this is causing.
Plus I have no idea my energy use in my new house as I cannot log meter readings I cannot pay for the energy I am using, I am just racking up a bill of god knows what.
I can't even select a tariff that will save me money!!!

Help where next small claims court I am thinking, but don't really want to pay solicitor fees just to make them listen.
:mad::mad::mad:

Have your neighbours had the same problems ?.New build estates usually do deals with a supplier for large parts or all of the new estate , but I know from experience there s always a couple of mess ups with a bloke in a hard hat going round logging all the meters, plot numbers and serial numbers and sending them off. Its rare to find a clear run where all the serials match the plots/house numbers.It could just be a simple crossed meter.
When you do get sorted don t switch to Npower or you may get even more free energy for a year or so.

dc101

Yes My neighbours have had it too, although thy're sorted now only 7 months for them! I believe SP have big problems on new builds take on because of IT system issues, but that is all they will give me.
Just mine left and this is now looking like it is because they have got the meter number wrong on my electric as well as the previous issues to get this far!

So i am not thinking I will write to them about free power until sorted, and see how that goes.

thanks
Danny

chanz4

I wonder if they have done a serial number search, as I it will be a flow issue not their system. Also they will still be able to bill back 12 montsh

naedanger

dc101 wrote: »

So i am not thinking I will write to them about free power until sorted, and see how that goes.

Did you mean to say "now" rather than "not"?

If you are planning to write to them to get confirmation your energy will be free until this matter is sorted can I suggest you quote to them the link I provided. Also please post back what they say.

Cardew

I have a fairly minor but long standing problem with my SP on-line account. When I say minor - it is just a nonsense with error after error. I keep getting the following email which given SP's appalling service is quite amusing:

Your complaint is registered under reference number xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ScottishPower is committed to delivering the best service possible and treating our customers fairly. We have a long track record of delivering high standards of service to our customers. I fully appreciate that you want a resolution as quickly as possible and that on this occasion it is taking a little longer to address your complaint.

Our customer satisfaction surveys indicate many customers would rather wait a little longer to ensure their complaint is fully resolved. My colleagues will remain in contact with you throughout the whole process.

D_M_E

Not just Scottish Power - several years ago I bought a new build and the estate was supplied by BG. I had no bill for 2 years and eventually found out a house a quarter mile away was paying for my energy.


Ended up both of us got a decent rebate when it was all sorted.

dc101

Still waiting for a reply from them in this I will update if I ever hear back though!!!
In the meantime the ombudsman has open a new failure to comply case as the next 8 weeks have passed.

Won't be holding my breath for anything back from that either. They seem to be lack bite!

:mad: