Charged by both energy suppliers, help please

Hayjay1

I have recently switched my gas and electric from utility warehouse to British Gas, I obviously wanted to reduce my bills, I had been paying £250 per month and have switched to British Gas and now paying £166 per month so it's a massive saving BUT, switch over happened 22nd Feb and utility warehouse have taken £784 from Feb to April and British Gas have also charged £498, so I am now at the moment much worse off, surely I shouldn't have paid twice for my Gas and electric! I have been on the phone to them but they say that's right. Help please

Neil_Jones

It can be right as the switching period takes up to six weeks so there may be a crossover of payments, but that being said once you are finally off Utility Warehouse and they've settled your final bill, you should get any credit back (if you don't, phone them up and request it).

Are you saying you went to switch on Feb 22nd? Or is that when you were told the switchover was scheduled for, meaning you filled in the forms early/mid January?

dogshome

The date listed as the Start Date on first BG's bill is the day that the supply changed over, and this should also be the End Date on UW's Final Bill.

Be aware that Gas & Elec sometimes don't both change over on the same date and that by industry rules, (Heaven knows why), the meter readings on change day do not have to coincide, but have be within a few KWh either way.

If UW's bill/s is chargeing for supply beyond the Start Date on BG's bill/s, do not phone or Email, but WRITE a letter headed Complaint

System

Patience is needed. It is not uncommon for 2 suppliers to charge for supply during the changeover process. Final billing can take up to 6 weeks from the date of the actual transfer. The important thing to check is that the opening and closing meter readings are the same. These may be different from the readings that you provided as the readings are subject to 3rd-party review*. The old supplier will debit/credit you based on the Final Bill settlement - this will include the return of any overpayments.

* The difference before a dispute can be raised between suppliers is not as small as some people think. It is 125CMs for gas or approx 1400kWhs.

Hayjay1

I filled in the forms around the beginning of January, estimated start date for both Gas and electricity was Feb 25th by my paperwork and my first payment for Gas and electricity was paid on the 11th March. I've just had a letter today from utility warehouse asking me to set up my direct debit as I've cancelled it, seems they don't know what's going on 😩 I'm very confused and stressed so about to write a complaint

dogshome

Have you had a 'Final Bill' from UW, and if so was it showing a Credit or Debit sum as the total

If UW owe you money then it reasonable for you to cancel your D/Debit, but if it is a Debit figure you owe money to UW,and it reasonable that they expect you to continue pay D/Debits until the balance is cleared - Any overpayment will be returned to you in due course

footyguy

Hayjay1 wrote: »

I have recently switched my gas and electric from utility warehouse to British Gas, I obviously wanted to reduce my bills, I had been paying £250 per month and have switched to British Gas and now paying £166 per month so it's a massive saving BUT, switch over happened 22nd Feb and utility warehouse have taken £784 from Feb to April and British Gas have also charged £498, so I am now at the moment much worse off, surely I shouldn't have paid twice for my Gas and electric! I have been on the phone to them but they say that's right. Help please

No you don't pay twice for the same energy.

But you may have to pay out twice in the same month when switching suppliers.

Post your bills up here if you still don't understand, and someone will explain them to you.