Gas meter not on national database!?!?

cici71

I switched 2 yrs ago from EDF to Eon no problem. My tariff ended today with Eon and for the last 2 wks have wanted to switch to Ebico. Ebico are stating my gas meter is not registered on the national database so are unable to process anything. They advised that I have to contact Eon to do this. It seems my postcode was incorrect - but not on my billing - just my meter as a historic problem. Eon state they have now changed this but it's been 7 working days and my address is still not showing in the drop down menu to continue purchasing from Ebico. Can Eon try and put a spanner in the works and delay on purpose? As from tomorrow I'm on their horrendous standard tariff as obviously I don't want to start a new cheaper tariff as I'll be locked in.
Anyone else know of this national database and how long it takes to recognise a change? Silly question but if I remain on Eons standard tariff just for say a week, will it make much difference or shall I lock in to their cheapest tariff and switch next year? Thanks

System

cici71 wrote: »

I switched 2 yrs ago from EDF to Eon no problem. My tariff ended today with Eon and for the last 2 wks have wanted to switch to Ebico. Ebico are stating my gas meter is not registered on the national database so are unable to process anything. They advised that I have to contact Eon to do this. It seems my postcode was incorrect - but not on my billing - just my meter as a historic problem. Eon state they have now changed this but it's been 7 working days and my address is still not showing in the drop down menu to continue purchasing from Ebico. Can Eon try and put a spanner in the works and delay on purpose? As from tomorrow I'm on their horrendous standard tariff as obviously I don't want to start a new cheaper tariff as I'll be locked in.
Anyone else know of this national database and how long it takes to recognise a change? Silly question but if I remain on Eons standard tariff just for say a week, will it make much difference or shall I lock in to their cheapest tariff and switch next year? Thanks

It’s a bit machiavellian to suggest that any supplier would deliberately prevent you from switching in the way that you suggest. Have you spoken to Ebico and asked them to check whether they can take over your supply rather than doing it online?

Some good news. Provided E.oN is advised via industry procedures that a transfer is in progress no later than end of fixed contract plus 20 days, you have tariff protection until your transfer goes through.

cici71

Machiavellian? Blimey that's a bit strong. I was just asking!! I thought that's what these forums were for - to ask advice etc and to have straight forward considerate replies. Not to be told my thought process is sly and cunning!!
I've rung Ebico already and they cannot do it online or over the phone without my gas meter being on the national database unfortunately. This means that Ebico can't /won't inform Eon i am switching so no transfer is in process.

System

cici71 wrote: »

Machiavellian? Blimey that's a bit strong. I was just asking!! I thought that's what these forums were for - to ask advice etc and to have straight forward considerate replies. Not to be told my thought process is sly and cunning!!
I've rung Ebico already and they cannot do it online or over the phone without my gas meter being on the national database unfortunately. This means that Ebico can't /won't inform Eon i am switching so no transfer is in process.

With respect, you were the one that suggested in your original post that E.oN might be deliberately putting a spanner in the works to delay your transfer. That is the Machiavellian plot that I was alluding to. Plots require planning: most supplier-related issues are, in my experience, nothing more than random c*** ups. I suspect that the process of updating the meter database is not immediate because of all the agencies involved.

cici71

Well the big 6 could be seen as Machiavellian - they are renowned for not automatically putting people on the cheapest tariffs etc etc and they're not exactly consumer friendly.
I had an 'online chat' with Eon where i asked them to add my meter to the database. As far as i was aware, it was done. 4 days later i rang them to check all ok, and it hadn't been implemented! This could be my reasoning for asking if they would deliberately delay me leaving as i'm now on the standard tariff. So i think my comment asking if THEY would delay things is quite fair to say.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Good afternoon,cici71,

It's great that you've spoken to us already about this and we've sent off the correct information to be updated.

This can take a couple of weeks to get done though, so may just need to hang on a bit.

We can't stop a switch or delay for this sort of thing.

If there were an actual objection in place we would have written to you and this sort of thing is normally related to debt or non payment.

It does just take a bit of time to update [FONT=&quot]unfortunately[/FONT].

Thank you

Helena

System

I am sure that the E.oN rep will be along soon to explain the process. The UK energy industry is not renowned for its speed or efficiency. If it was, then transfers would not take up to 35 days (21 days after the cooling off period) and Final Bills would not take 6 weeks after a transfer of supply.

cici71

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena wrote: »

Good afternoon,cici71,

It's great that you've spoken to us already about this and we've sent off the correct information to be updated.

This can take a couple of weeks to get done though, so may just need to hang on a bit.

We can't stop a switch or delay for this sort of thing.

If there were an actual objection in place we would have written to you and this sort of thing is normally related to debt or non payment.

It does just take a bit of time to update [FONT=&quot]unfortunately[/FONT].

Thank you

Helena

That's great. Just one question and excuse my naivety but how were you able to check my account without my details?