Eon!

BlueEyedGirl

padadan wrote: »

its over priced! i dont mind paying for what i used but in order to do so they must let me go elsewhere for a cheaper tariff so i can pay the debt! they are keeping me in this vicious financial cycle, they don't care because they will get money bit by bit, they care not for customers financial situations. If they let me go to sainsburys it will not be a problem to pay them back monthly.

Yes, but how do E:ON know you will pay the debt? You could run off to Sainsbury's and never pay your final 'debt' bill with E:ON. Perhaps if you bring your account up to date and pay if off you could then switch suppliers!

modsandmockers

It’s not yet clear that the OP understands that it might be possible to get close to Sainsbury’s prices simply by switching to a better tariff with Eon. It's a pity if the call centre jockeys did not think to mention such a possibility.

Obviously, the existing debt will have to be paid off, but the OP’s priority now should be to make sure that he/she understands how to calculate/monitor his/her ongoing energy costs by checking the quarterly bills properly and ensuring that they are based on actual meter readings.

It has taken me the best part of a year to get my daughter to understand these things (she was previously in a similar position to the OP’s). On my advice, she has just switched to First Utility so that, by submitting monthly meter readings, she will be able to receive (and pay) an accurate monthly bill without any of the complications. She has opened a brand new current account specifically for her variable monthly energy bills - it has a starting balance of £300, and she has set up a monthly credit of one-twelfth of my estimate of her likely total energy costs until this time next year. I’m aware that First Utility receives its fair share of criticism on this forum, but it’s the only supplier that I know of which offers an option to pay for your actual consumption, month by month, without charging extra for the ‘privilege’. In my daughter’s case it is also, currently, the cheapest.

The OP should get the details of Eon's cheapest currently available tariff and work out from last year's consumption (in kWh's) how much the coming year's electricity might cost (don't forget to include the daily standing charge). Divide the result by 12 and then work out how much extra you can afford towards paying off the debt. Add the two together and make your offer to Eon - so long as the figure offers a serious possibility that the debt will eventually be paid off, then they ought to accept.

Cardew

I appreciate that we are supposed to be 'nice' to new posters. However it really does jar when someone who is obviously completely ignorant of anything about gas and electricity can post a thread with such a title i.e. Eon conning thieving swines!

They are obviously equally ignorant of the law as they could be sued for defamation(i.e. libel)


I am surprised the Mods have not deleted the title.

savemoney

I think the real culprit here is your usage and not paying enough at the time to pay off what you actual use. You be sucked into changing supplier of the ignorance of the fact of how much you use which should reflect on your monthly payments. Your confused into think the new deal with Sainsburys aka British Gas will pay your monthly usage. Unless your usage considerable comes down you find that monthly figure will creep up when they review your account.

I cant see there being a huge difference between the most expensive supplier and most cheapest.

Eon have every right not letting you go because some customers would just as said keep moving suppliers and leave debt which honest payers will pay for in higher bills.

You need to reduce your usage and monitor it. Even if you out of the house all day appliance will be still using energy abet not a great lot

I think its unfair to call Eon thieving swines! based on what you have posted

alibean121

I suggest you engage with the reps on here (they are helpful!) to make sure you're on the best eon tariff for the moment so more of your payment can go towards your debts. They can also help make sure your direct debit is set to a sensible level to cover usage and repay the debts.

You need to accept that you will not be allowed to switch until your debt is cleared. This is not specific to eon, all energy suppliers have this policy.

If you were allowed to move onto a lower direct debit without understanding how much you're actually using and how much that costs, you'd just end up building up debts again.

How much is your DD for use and how much is for debt?

modsandmockers

alibean121 wrote: »

How much is your DD for use and how much is for debt?

The answer to your question is "there is no way of knowing - amongst other things, it depends upon the weather".

alibean121

modsandmockers wrote: »

The answer to your question is "there is no way of knowing - amongst other things, it depends upon the weather".

Eon must have an estimate of what the DD would be with no debt.

modsandmockers

alibean121 wrote: »

Eon must have an estimate of what the DD would be with no debt.

The OP's problems started with Eon's incorrect estimate of what the DD should be with no debt. There is no reason to think that any new estimate would be any more meaningful. Energy suppliers should make it impossible for such debts to accumulate. Like First Utility, they should require monthly meter readings, and if the meter readings are not forthcoming, then the energy suppliers should immediately increase the DD payments by a considerable amount and write a letter to the customer explaining the importance of providing monthly meter readings.

I believe that monthly payment plans serve no useful purpose - people who understand them are probably capable of organising their own finances successfully, whilst people who don't understand them would be better served by the old-fashioned system of paying what you owe - no more and no less.

naedanger

modsandmockers wrote: »

Energy suppliers should make it impossible for such debts to accumulate. Like First Utility, they should require monthly meter readings, and if the meter readings are not forthcoming, then the energy suppliers should immediately increase the DD payments by a considerable amount and write a letter to the customer explaining the importance of providing monthly meter readings.

What about those unable to read their meters e.g. due to infirmity, disability or absence?

Also why should a customer be penalised for not taking monthly readings? There are many customers who are happy taking quarterly or less frequent readings and accept the consequences of this.

I wonder how many people would want such practices - I know I wouldn't.

I agree with the comments that suppliers need to make clear that fixed payments can lead to debts being accrued, and make clear the benefits of customers providing readings.

Personally I also think suppliers should be obliged to make reasonable efforts to obtain their own reading at least once a year (though I can see why others may disagree as this will lead to additional costs that will be passed on to customers).