Changing suppliers after billing error

themanfromamarillo

Hi, I'm thinking of swtiching suppliers due to being able to save about £70 a year. However I'm concerned that mistakes by my current supplier might make it hard for me to do this.

I'd been with my supplier for about 9 months, paying a regular direct debit, in credit and submitting regular meter readings. Suddenly in July I got £90 deposited in my back account from them. "OK," I thought, "that's because I was in credit so they are leveling up in the middle of the summer." Then they stopped taking out my direct debit. I contacted them and asked why this was and was asked what my new address was. They had, completely unprompted, decided I'd moved and settled my account. I told them I hadn't moved and submitted a meter reading. They then took back the £90 and quadrupled my monthly direct debit amount.

So I'm now in the situation where I haven't had a bill in months, am £125 in credit (I reckon I've used £85 of energy inc. standing charge since the last bill) and I'm no idea when I'll get a new bill (I don't believe the date quoted on the supplier's site as it moved further away after I submitted another meter reading). I want to change suppliers but I'm concerned that my supplier might not give me a bill in time to change. I'm also worried this could affect my credit rating.

Anyone else been in a similar situation?

modsandmockers

Are you with Co-op Energy by any chance?

themanfromamarillo

Nope, I'm with EDF

modsandmockers

themanfromamarillo wrote: »

Nope, I'm with EDF

Ah - that's disappointing because I'm with EDF since last year and I have been well pleased with the experience.

Under the DD guarantee, you are supposed to be given 10 days notice of any new 'demand', so talk to your bank about recalling the offending payments - find out if there is more than one DD reference number relating to more than one account number/address.

When you log on to your EDF account page, does the account number agree with your own records? When you click on 'View Bills and Payments' does it agree with your own records?

footyguy

themanfromamarillo wrote: »

Hi, I'm thinking of swtiching suppliers due to being able to save about £70 a year. However I'm concerned that mistakes by my current supplier might make it hard for me to do this.

I'd been with my supplier for about 9 months, paying a regular direct debit, in credit and submitting regular meter readings. Suddenly in July I got £90 deposited in my back account from them. "OK," I thought, "that's because I was in credit so they are leveling up in the middle of the summer." Then they stopped taking out my direct debit. I contacted them and asked why this was and was asked what my new address was. They had, completely unprompted, decided I'd moved and settled my account. I told them I hadn't moved and submitted a meter reading. They then took back the £90 and quadrupled my monthly direct debit amount.

So I'm now in the situation where I haven't had a bill in months, am £125 in credit (I reckon I've used £85 of energy inc. standing charge since the last bill) and I'm no idea when I'll get a new bill (I don't believe the date quoted on the supplier's site as it moved further away after I submitted another meter reading). I want to change suppliers but I'm concerned that my supplier might not give me a bill in time to change. I'm also worried this could affect my credit rating.

Anyone else been in a similar situation?

As long as you are not in debt with the existing supplier >£200 (i.e. they have formally asked you for this money and you have failed to pay for at least 28 days) why do you think there will be any problems switching?

I'm sure if you switch supplier, the old supplier will forward you a final bill in due course. Not sure why you are seeking a bill before that, or how you feel not having one will affect your application to switch.

How do you think your credit rating maybe adversely affected?

themanfromamarillo

OK, thanks. I was concerned that having not had a bill for a while I might be considered to be not paying or something. I'll just go ahead and do the switch.

Frankly I'm not terribly bothered about the money going back and forth as I'm sure it will be sorted in the end but it's annoying I haven't had a bill in the 3 weeks since I submitted a reading (used to happen within a week).

modsandmockers

themanfromamarillo wrote: »

I haven't had a bill in the 3 weeks since I submitted a reading (used to happen within a week).

Whenever I submit an online meter reading to EDF, I get an instant calculation about the new balance on the account, and a detailed online bill within 24 hours or less.