Economy Energy refusing Refund of Credit Balance

System

ajrh wrote: »

I appreciate you don’t use your energy in equal twelfths and have been frustrated but resigned that economy will make sure you’re always in credit and it’s in their pocket, they jacked my gas DD by 6 a month despite me already having stumped up their mandatory double month starter. They have also refused to review or re credit anything before January. My other more galling issue is that despite monthly meter reads for gas and eclectic since joining in June, they’ve never generated an electric statement so I have no idea where I stand. My formal complaint was at last lodged on a second request I’ve had an acknowledgement letter now (weeks later) but no resolution and still as at today no statements.

How long to I give them and do I go to the ombudsman next?

You are free to take your complaint to The Energy Ombudsman after 8 weeks, or on receipt of a decision/deadlock letter. The review process takes anything from 6 to 8 weeks (in my experience). The supplier has to comply with The Energy Ombudsman’s Decision within 4 weeks.

Jparkinson

Having left Economy Energy in June 2018 I still await repayment of the credit balance on my dual fuel account. The reason for these balances is because Economy Energy take payment in advance and, therefore, are always in a situation whereby they will owe the customer money after departure. I suspect that departing customers are assisting cash flow at Economy Energy. It is intensely frustrating.

Sterlingtimes

Everything I read about Economy Energy would suggest that they are suffering from cash flow difficulties. There are announcements in the press (21 November) that Economy Energy is now been investigated by OFGEM for shortfalls in payment to the Green Energy Fund.

ajrh

Oh god I’ve gone out of the frying pan (Iresa) into the fire with economy energy

Londoner_1

ajrh wrote: »

Oh god I’ve gone out of the frying pan (Iresa) into the fire with economy energy

I'm a customer , deal ends in feb 2019, will be 2 years with them, poor (but cheap rates) company, I expect them to go bust next.

mwjdavies

I left them in August with over £300 in credit. Told I would get a refund automatically once they finalised my account. Then when I contacted them again end sept, was told I had to apply for each (gas and electric) individually, and that after this request my refund would be with me 25 working days after. Still waiting and will be in touch with them again today. Any advice appreciated. Will keep following to see how others get on too.

System

mwjdavies wrote: »

I left them in August with over £300 in credit. Told I would get a refund automatically once they finalised my account. Then when I contacted them again end sept, was told I had to apply for each (gas and electric) individually, and that after this request my refund would be with me 25 working days after. Still waiting and will be in touch with them again today. Any advice appreciated. Will keep following to see how others get on too.

Send a Letter Before Action to the supplier:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/taking-legal-action/small-claims/making-a-small-claim/

Before doing so, you need to be 100% sure about the amount owed. I have gone down this route in the past, and the refund hit ny account on the day that the letter was received.

Jparkinson

Both my final balances are undisputed in so far as I am aware. I too have noticed their apparent financial issues and the recent failure of Spark Energy with whom I had similar problems on a buy to let flat. I will try again to recover the balances and I will then consider the action outlined by Hengus below. In future I will not sign up to a supplier requiring payment in advance.

Sterlingtimes

Hengus wrote: »

Send a Letter Before Action to the supplier:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/taking-legal-action/small-claims/making-a-small-claim/

Before doing so, you need to be 100% sure about the amount owed. I have gone down this route in the past, and the refund hit ny account on the day that the letter was received.

Thank you for this link. Does the court except a claimant to persue the Ombusband before making a claim? Personally, I resolved my last difficulty with Economy Energy with the help of OFGEM and Citizens Advice Extra Help but I anticipate more trouble on the horizon. Everything I read about Economy Energy suggests their delayed payments to customers has more to do with cash flow than procedural difficulties.

Firms06

Have chased up my refund today as am owed around £250 from my accounts (gas and electricity) being in credit when I switched provider 29 September. Whilst I should have chased sooner, can't believe (well actually I can, EE are terrible) i'm not the only person in this situation. They are clearly a very dodgy outfit.