Fixed term ended, been on standard tariff since March, can I get money back?

petethesteam

I unknowingly have been on a standard tariff since March after being on a fixed tariff for 12 months. This is with Sainsbury’s Energy. Don’t they have a duty to put you on their cheapest tariff instead I’m paying £30 per month more than I was on a fixed. I’m a pensioner and part of their elderly person scheme so surely they should have reminded me that my fixed term had ended and warned me that my tariff was changing at the very least. Is there any way that I can claim the difference back?

Robin9

No you won't get this money back - you will have received a letter or an email about 45 days before the end of the fix.

System

petethesteam wrote: »

I unknowingly have been on a standard tariff since March after being on a fixed tariff for 12 months. This is with Sainsbury!!!8217;s Energy. Don!!!8217;t they have a duty to put you on their cheapest tariff instead I!!!8217;m paying £30 per month more than I was on a fixed. I!!!8217;m a pensioner and part of their elderly person scheme so surely they should have reminded me that my fixed term had ended and warned me that my tariff was changing at the very least. Is there any way that I can claim the difference back?

All suppliers are required to notify you in the period 49 to 42 days before contract end, that your fixed term contract is ending. Is it possible that you missed the e-mail? The default position for most suppliers is their standard variable tariff. Fixed term deals are usually the cheapest but suppliers are not allowed to enter you into a new fixed term tariff with your prior agreement. This might seem a little harsh but I doubt that the supplier will agree to any claim that you might make.

petethesteam

Do you guys think I could get some back if I did not receive the notification email/letter

JJ_Egan

Can you really prove that ??
They are going to say you took out a fixed contract for xx months and you are responsible.

Andy_WSM

petethesteam wrote: »

Do you guys think I could get some back if I did not receive the notification email/letter

No because it's only a reminder. When you signed up you would have had a "tariff ends date" - it's up to you to track that and change tariff at the right time. I always enter the date into my diary.

bri160356

petethesteam wrote: »

Do you guys think I could get some back if I did not receive the notification email/letter

I guess you could always ring and ask them to furnish you with the exact details of how and when they notified you about the imminent switch to their extortionate ‘standard’ tariff.

If they can’t (or won’t) supply those details re-state your case, very firmly, that you didn’t receive the info because if you had you would not have let them flip you over to their extortionate ‘standard’ tariff.

As an ‘elderly person’ they may show some mercy,…then again maybe not.

…you can but try! :money:

Robin9

petethesteam - how have you assessed the extra £30 a month? Is this from your own meter readings or from a change in DD (which at best is an educated guess)