I can't get a straight answer to this question.

bwff

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

I have received a "Final Statement" from Supplier A. It uses the correct reading, the one I gave to both suppliers on the date of transfer, together with a photograph of the meter.

It bugs me that the opening reading with Supplier B is estimated and is wrong. I quite understand about meter reading disputes and that a reading may move one way or the other but I contend that it should be the same reading for both Supplier A and Supplier B. I have paid twice for a small amount of electricity. What I can't find anywhere is a ruling that the opening and closing readings must be the same.

Well done to Octopus for such a clear explanation, but it doesn't answer my question.

The gaining supplier (the new one) is responsible for managing the entire switching process for you, including agreeing with the old supplier (via the independent meter reading agency) the agreed meter reading that should be used for them to open an account from ... and the outgoing supplier (the old one) to close your account to.

Follow your new supplier's complaint procedure to resolve this complaint.

Hoof_Hearted

I understand all of this, bwff. If the new supplier is using the agreed meter reading, why is it estimated? I am convinced the new supplier isn't using the agreed reading. Anyway, thanks for all your help. I think I'll just let it go.

Hoof_Hearted

bwff wrote: »

The closing meter reading of the outgoing supplier must be the opening reading used by the new supplier. No ifs, no buts.

This is exactly what I am trying to get into their heads but they are saying that if the difference is below 250, it's OK.

The question is, can you point to something official that I can quote to them to prove the point.

System

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

This is exactly what I am trying to get into their heads but they are saying that if the difference is below 250, it's OK.

The question is, can you point to something official that I can quote to them to prove the point.

No - you are confusing two things. If the verified meter reading that is passed to both suppliers by the Data Collectors to open and close your accounts is less than 250 kWhs different from the one that you provided when you read the meter, then a formal Agreed Readings Dispute cannot be raised. There is a clue in the word !!!8216;Agreed!!!8217;. There is no debate to be had here; both suppliers are required to use the verified meter reading unless an Agreed Readings Dispute is initiated. Any ARD will come out with a new estimated reading that both suppliers are required to use. As suggested above, talk to your new supplier.

If your losing supplier refuses to change the closing reading to match that provided by the industry data collectors (that is, your opening reading with your new supplier) then raise a written complaint and ask for deadlock. If you then take the complaint to The EO you will win.

Similar advice on most suppliers!!!8217;!!!8217; Websites:

What to do if my old supplier!!!8217;s final reads don!!!8217;t match Bulb!!!8217;s opening readings?

Please email a picture of your meters to help@bulb.co.uk so we can double check your meter reading.

If there's a problem, we'll get in touch with your old supplier to make sure we are using the same reading. It could take 1-2 weeks for your old supplier to make a decision on this.

What's going on?

When you switch to Bulb, we ask you to submit meter readings close to your switch date. The reads go through an industry body to be validated. If they!!!8217;re rejected - usually because your readings are much lower or higher than what is expected - an estimate will be used. This may be why your readings are different to what you expect, or from one supplier to another. With a picture of your readings, we can sort this out no problem.

Hoof_Hearted

Hengus, I know you are trying to be helpful and you are clearly very knowledgeable. I don't really give a fig what the readings are, I just want them to be the same. How can the opening reading be estimated if it is the agreed figure? The readings are not the same and they overlap, thus paying twice.

Imagine this:

Closing reading 2249
Opening reading 2000

249 x 12ppkWh plus VAT = £31.37p overcharge. Is this OK because it's within 250 units.

I really have given up. I just don't think it's correct for the opening and closing readings not to be identical.

System

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

Hengus, I know you are trying to be helpful and you are clearly very knowledgeable. I don't really give a fig what the readings are, I just want them to be the same. How can the opening reading be estimated if it is the agreed figure? The readings are not the same and they overlap, thus paying twice.

Imagine this:

Closing reading 2249
Opening reading 2000

249 x 12ppkWh plus VAT = £31.37p overcharge. Is this OK because it's within 250 units.

I really have given up. I just don't think it's correct for the opening and closing readings not to be identical.

Talk to your new supplier and ask them to contact your old supplier. In the situation described above, neither supplier can raise an Agreed Readings Dispute. If 2000 is the verified meter reading from the Data Collectors, then the losing supplier has no option but to use 2000 to close your account in accordance with industry transfer procedures.

I had a situation with Ovo a couple of years ago, when my verified gas meter reading came out a few kWhs below the Agreed Readings Dispute limit. The industry estimated reading was more than my meter was actually reading. Both suppliers accepted the industry estimate to open and close my accounts. I overpaid E.On about £36 for gas that they hadn’t provided. This happened in July. I didn’t pay Ovo anything for gas consumed until my meter passed the industry estimated reading in November. The true cost to me was about £2.34 due to a difference in unit prices.

Think of it like this: I overpay Supplier A for 249 units at 10p or £24.90 but I don’t pay Supplier B for 249 units at 11p. The difference in cost is £2.49.

Suppliers have to use the same reading to open and close your accounts even if it has been estimated by the Data Collectors. SLC 14A requires your new supplier to deal with this for you.