Previous electricity supplier keeps sending bills

mariposita.verde

Hi there,

I switched my electricity supplier from British Gas to Powershop on 21st March. Soon after I got a bill from BG covering period till the end of March. I rang the BG helpline, they confirmed that according to national database the switch took place on 21st March, but as they hadn't received any correspondence from Powershop they couldn't stop billing my address. They closed the account in my name, but kept it as occupier one until they would get a letter from powershop.
I send an email to Powershop and they notified me that they had sent relevant correspondence at the beginning of April and there's nothing else they can send, however it could take up to 6 weeks for BG to process it.
On 1st May I got another bill from BG, covering 21st March till end of April, but I thought they might be still processing the switch. I just received a reminder to pay the bill, so gave them a ring to see what's happening. They're denying having received any letters from Powershop and won't stop billing me until they get official notification from them. National database apparently doesn't matter.
I've emailed Powershop again asking to send the letter once more, but I'm really worried they might simply refuse - where do I go then? I really can't afford paying twice for electricity, and don't want any debt collector visits.. any ideas what to do?

Cardew

Powershop have to arrange the switching date and meter reading with BG. So pay Powershop nothing until BG confirm the switch has taken place.

teddysmum

Cardew wrote: »

Powershop have to arrange the switching date and meter reading with BG. So pay Powershop nothing until BG confirm the switch has taken place.

This is why some of us are wary of small suppliers, who can't cope with the volume of customers.

mariposita.verde

I've already started paying powershop - the way it works, you buy so called power packs which are available for a limited time only, otherwise it's lots more expensive. Also, the first time I spoke to BG they confirmed the switch had taken place according to national database - surely that should mean something?

spiro

Firstly this is no 'correspondence' between the suppliers. It is all done by sending data flows over an industry wide data transfer network. The new supplier registers the new site and unless the old supplier object the switch goes through. It is then the responsibility of the new supplier and their agents to provide the change of supplier meter reding to the old supplier so they can create the final bill. The national data base is master, if it says you are with supplier X that is who you are with. I would phone one of the 2 suppliers and ask them which supplier is list as your supplier onn ECOES and from what date.