Are Outfox the Market using my exact meter readings?

cbmaxyz

I switched to Outfox the Market recently and have provided meter readings every few weeks. The latest two were 27/05 and 08/05.

I just took a look at the 'My Current Balance' section of their web site, and it looks like this:

Date Payment received Balance
18/06/2018 Direct debit £110.85 CR
17/06/2018 Invoice £35.18 CR
18/05/2018 Direct debit £81.40 CR
17/05/2018 Invoice £5.73 CR
18/04/2018 Direct debit £75.67 CR

So it looks like they're either taking meter readings themselves on the 17th of each month, or (more likely) they're extrapolating my readings to be estimates of what they would be on the 17th. Have I got that right? Why don't they just use the exact readings I'm giving them, rather than doing some complicated/imperfect extrapolation thing?!

matelodave

When do you give them your meter readings?

If you give them several days in advance of the billing date then most companies will guesstimate your consumption between the reading and billing date. How close are their "readings" to your actuals?

Try giving them your reading on 15th or 16th of the month although by doing that it may miss the invoicing run.

Doesn't the online account show the readings that they are using?

molerat

Both my suppliers bill on the last day of the month and will estimate to that date if I don't provide a reading or provide one on any other date.

System

I struggle to understand why suppliers choose not to mention their billing policy re meter readings in the various e-mails that get sent out on switch, or in FAQs. For example, Zog will always use a meter reading given to it at on the last day of the month. Conversely, Octopus will generate a bill immediately after a meter reading is provided. I am sure that the lack of information about this must generate a number of un-necessary calls and e-mails to CS.