F.U admit they can't bill correctly, leave or stay?

oproberts

Hi,

I've just signed up as I have been given a choice by First Utility to leave or stay with them and I was hoping for some second opinions. This can also serve as a warning to others in my situation with two electricity meters in their property.

I switched to FU back in October, pay a monthly dd, and I have had a complaint open with them since pretty much day 1. It began because the property has 2 electricity meters and they switched the readings. This, i believe, has been sorted but I have never been able to submit meter readings because of the mistake and the last estimated bill I received was in January (which wildly overestimated our usage) .

On Friday i received a phone call from the complaints department and to be fair they were very honest. They said that they cannot bill me correctly, the engineers do not know when they can bill me correctly and they may never be able to bill me correctly and therefore I am free to leave if i choose to or i can wait and see.

It seems like i definitely should leave them, but if the system doesn't work i don't know if i can get an accurate final bill. Essentially i'm wondering what i should be asking of them? It's all a bit confusing.

Cheers

[Deleted User]

1. Get everything in writing as you may need evidence in the future.

2. Yes switch away as if you stay, then First Utility (FU) may hold you until the end of your contract and god knows how much you could owe them or vice versa.

3. You have the opening reading I take it? (Or it will be on the closing bill from your previous supplier). You have your current reading so work out the bill for yourself or post the readings here with dates and the tariff costs so some kind soul can do it for you. Then take away the direct debit payments made to see how much you owe or how much FU owe you.

4. Check your bank statements to make sure that FU took the money out each money.

5.Goto the comparison sites and see if you can get a better deal.

Ask yourself, will staying with FU really allow you to budget for your bills especially if you have no idea what that amount really is?

molerat

Who was you previous supplier and what tariff were you on ? Probably a complex meter which they should never have taken on. You need to ask them how they are going to bill you and at what rates.

dogshome

FU are known for 'Pushing the envelope' when it comes to chargeing 'Exit Fee's'.

A phone coversation about FU allowing you a choice to stay or leave isn't good enough - Ask that they put this in writing, but, FU's systems are not be be relield upon so chances are they never will

You can always write to them quoteing the tele con, thanking them for their understanding with a difficult problem, and keeping safe a copy of the letter on file

Joyful

There are only a couple of suppliers that can bill multiple MPANs correctly. You should check this out before choosing another company. The only way to be open to other suppliers is if you do not need the second meter and get an economy 7 meter instead. Usually the problem is with 2 meters you get a top up during the day cheaper so can have 3 time bands to be charged for. The majority of suppliers are only set up to bill for 1 or 2 time bands. I know Scottish Power can bill but not sure of the other company. I am sure someone else will know.

footyguy

oproberts wrote: »

Hi,

I've just signed up as I have been given a choice by First Utility to leave or stay with them and I was hoping for some second opinions. This can also serve as a warning to others in my situation with two electricity meters in their property.

I switched to FU back in October, pay a monthly dd, and I have had a complaint open with them since pretty much day 1. It began because the property has 2 electricity meters and they switched the readings. This, i believe, has been sorted but I have never been able to submit meter readings because of the mistake and the last estimated bill I received was in January (which wildly overestimated our usage) .

On Friday i received a phone call from the complaints department and to be fair they were very honest. They said that they cannot bill me correctly, the engineers do not know when they can bill me correctly and they may never be able to bill me correctly and therefore I am free to leave if i choose to or i can wait and see.

It seems like i definitely should leave them, but if the system doesn't work i don't know if i can get an accurate final bill. Essentially i'm wondering what i should be asking of them? It's all a bit confusing.

Cheers

As I often post here, do not attempt to switch supplier with that metering arrangement, as attempts to do so invariably end in tears.

A perfect example - thank you :cool:

Lets hope the original supplier will take you back on the legacy tariff you were originally on ... but there is no obligation for them to do so.