Utility billing

069Peter

Can anyone tell me the billing periods for the gas/elect supplier they use.
I have a query regarding Co-Op Energy, not a great drama but a point of principle to me.
Until this year Co-Op have billed me quarterly on the 26th of Feb, May, Aug and Nov.
Now they are telling me they bill customers every 90 days, meaning that my ANNUAL bill now
equates to 360(1) days. The balance of 5 days being rolled to the next quarter!
My concern is, is this fair? It would mean had I not found out about the revised 90 day billing had I decided to switch supplier I would be quoted for an ANNUAL supply (365 days) this would seem to give Co-Op Energy an unfair advantage. Because they now seemingly bill for an annual bill of 360(1) days they gain a 5 day advantage over competitors.
Or is this 90 billing how all the other utility company's work?

Am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Comments appreciated.

footyguy

069Peter wrote: »

Can anyone tell me the billing periods for the gas/elect supplier they use.
I have a query regarding Co-Op Energy, not a great drama but a point of principle to me.
Until this year Co-Op have billed me quarterly on the 26th of Feb, May, Aug and Nov.
Now they are telling me they bill customers every 90 days, meaning that my ANNUAL bill now
equates to 360(1) days. The balance of 5 days being rolled to the next quarter!
My concern is, is this fair? It would mean had I not found out about the revised 90 day billing had I decided to switch supplier I would be quoted for an ANNUAL supply (365 days) this would seem to give Co-Op Energy an unfair advantage. Because they now seemingly bill for an annual bill of 360(1) days they gain a 5 day advantage over competitors.
Or is this 90 billing how all the other utility company's work?

Am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Comments appreciated.

Each company will have their own policy for billing.

Even those that do suggest they bill every quarter of a year, do not do so down the the final day.
365 days does not divide equally into 4 anyway, unless you start looking at hours! (or at least multiples of 6 thereof)

I don't follow how you think this is unfair.
Comparison sites will always show you the annual cost, irrespective of how the company bill you.

But, if you do think this change to your terms is to your disadvantage (and you can demonstrate it to the supplier or ombudsman if necessary) then you should be able to switch supplier without penalty.

Robin9

And 2016 has 366 days !

Is that unfair ?

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Lunar year is about 354 days, is that fair?

System

Is it the 1st of April already? It makes absolutely no difference when bills are raised. Comparison sites always compare a full 12 months irrespective of whether a supplier bills, monthly or quarterly (or even every 90 days). There must be some business logic behind 90 day billing but ........

gilbert_and_sullivan

The headline figures quoted are like an insurance quote far as i'm concerned, and like insurances i'll have a shortlist of companies i will or won't use, and from those i will use i'll visit their site and find an actual breakdown of the costings, too easy to be comparing apples and pears.