Is this normal

[Deleted User]

I have applied to switch from First Utility to GB Energy, I am waiting on a date from GB Energy to give them my meter readings, which they pass on to First Utility to settle accounts.


In the mean time I have had First Utility debit my account, and also GB Energy debit my account, now surely GB Energy should start debiting me next month after they have completed the switch, I haven't actually had any energy from them yet.

dogshome

No, it's not normal

GB should not be billing you until the day they take over your supply, and you are right in that they must get meter readings from you to start the account, which will actually become 'live' a few days later

modsandmockers

Under the terms of the direct debit guarantee, GB should have notified you in advance of the date and amount of the first payment. If they failed to do so, then all you have to do is call your bank and recall the payment under the terms of the guarantee. You will not have to give a reason or provide any proof - if any dispute ensues, it will be between you and GB (the bank will not be interested - if the recall was claimed without good reason, then the dispute will always be between the company and the customer). If you decide to recall the payment, then it would probably be a good idea to contact GB and tell them why.

notbritishgas

From their T&Cs

4.1 Your contract with us starts when you receive our Welcome Pack following completion of our online application process or agreement with our appointed call centre agents.

7.1 You may cancel the contract at any time within the 14 days following the date of your receipt of your Welcome Pack or by emailing us at support@gbenergysupply.co.uk or telephoning us on 0800 6444 451

9.3.2 The Direct Debit will be taken the day after the cancellation period referred to in clause 7 ends and monthly thereafter


So the question is when did you receive the Welcome Pack, the DD would have been taken 15 days after that.

victor2

Some suppliers (OVO is one I know of) take the monthly payment ahead of the billing month, but you should have been aware of the amount and outside your "cooling off" period for it to happen. The good news is that when you leave the new supplier, you have a month in hand...

modsandmockers

notbritishgas wrote: »

From their T&Cs - The Direct Debit will be taken the day after the cancellation period referred to in clause 7 ends and monthly thereafter
- so the question is when did you receive the Welcome Pack, the DD would have been taken 15 days after that.

GB Energy will no doubt claim that by burying the DD notification in their T&Cs they have fulfilled their obligations under the DD guarantee. IMO, they should also have sent you an additional notification specifically regarding the start date and amount of the payment plan but, as above, so long as the payment has been correctly credited to your account (and so long as the switch is not delayed for any reason) then it probably makes sense to let it go.

footyguy

North_Of_Utopia wrote: »

I have applied to switch from First Utility to GB Energy, I am waiting on a date from GB Energy to give them my meter readings, which they pass on to First Utility to settle accounts.


In the mean time I have had First Utility debit my account, and also GB Energy debit my account, now surely GB Energy should start debiting me next month after they have completed the switch, I haven't actually had any energy from them yet.

You should have been provided proper advance notice before any DD payment is collected.

Remember, all payments by DD are fully protected by the terms of the DD guarantee. If you were not given proper advance notice, do not hesitate to claim under that guarantee - all claims are made direct to your bank.

In regards to paying 2 different suppliers in the same month when you switch energy provider, yes this can often occur.
e.g. some suppliers charge in advance, whilst some charge in arrears (but that's not the only reason)

Don't worry, any overpayment to the old supplier will be refunded to you after they have produced the final bill.
You only actually pay for what you use, and that money goes to the supplier that supplied you at the time you consumed it. You won't pay for the same energy twice.

matelodave

Just make sure that the meter readings that GB use for the start of service are the same ones that FU use on their final bill