Extra Energy customers sold out

8861

It seems to me that Extra Energy customers have been sold out by Ofgem , why Ofgem
Thinks it is in The customers best interest to gift 108,000 accounts to Scottish Power is totally absurd . As a Extra Energy customer I got an email from Scottish Power instructing me to submit meter readings and then sign up to a new contract , direct debit would increase from £ 86 pm to £156 pm !
There is no way I am agreeing to that . Scottish Powers customer service call handler was totally dismissive of my objections to this process, and claimed I have absolutely no
Choice in the matter , and I am not allowed to switch until Scottish Power say so and I cannot make a formal complaint to them until I sign a contract with them.
Spoke to Ofgem re this crazy situation, their own staff have no idea as to the legitimacy of Ofgem’s actions.
Suffice to say I have placed a formal complaint to Ofgem and to the directors office of Scottish Power.
I have started the switch process to another provider and will have to wait to see if this goes through .
`I am very surprised at the total lack of interest shown by any of the consumer groups in this country, including this website , apart from repeating the rubbish “ advice “ from Ofgem.

System

The SoLR appointment process usually involves an auction. The gaining supplier pays something for the extra customers that it will gain from the failed supplier. As far as switching is concerned, then just initiate a switch and see what happens. I would be surprised if SP block it as they have no grounds to do so. That said, the switch might still fail because of the arcane systems that underpin the supply transfer process might show that a transfer to SP is still in progress.

FWIW, I have just taken a complaint against SP to The Energy Ombudsman. Part of my complaint relates to SP’s non acceptance of my complaint because THEY had failed to set up an account. Four months on, there is still no account. The Energy Ombudsman has accepted my complaint for investigation.

8861

Scottish Power do not have access to the full accounts of Extra Energy customers , only
Extra Energy administrators have those details , ScottishPower have based their new contracts for Extra Emergy customer on estimated annual usage , if your account is in debit , Then the outstanding payments are owed to the Administrators, not to Scottish Power.

Secret back door deal between major energy suppliers and the supposed regulator Ofgem are extremely suspicious at the very best , as an Extra Energy customer I do not have any sort of binding legal contract with
Ofgem or Scottish Power , It will be interesting to see how they will try to enforce this deal .

Swipe

You should see the prices they are charging on that deemed tariff. :eek:

molerat

Jane76 wrote: »

My other concern is that we dont have any access to previous bills, tariffs or usage. All taken down and Scottish Power could not give me this information.

Feel totally let down.

Surely all that information is on the PDF bills that you downloaded and kept safe.

Billy_the_fish

Im not with Extra energy so cant somment on them as such. Im with OFTM, so have my own concerns.

Im pretty sure though, that Ofgem state, that when a supplier goes under, they will appoint a new supplier with a comparable tariff.
I understand with how the energy market moves it would be impossible to find a deal the same as current tariff. However, it doesnt seem as though Ofgem are honouring the consumer with finding a supplier with a comparable tariff, seems more a case of highest bidding supplier!!
If thats the case, then Ofgem are cleary not representing the consumer.

It clearly states here....
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/ofgem-safety-net-if-your-energy-supplier-goes-out-business

Ofgem will choose your new supplier, following a competitive process designed to get the best deal for you.

Special 'deemed' contract?

Your old tariff will end.

Instead, your new supplier will put you onto a special ‘deemed’ contract (this means a contract you haven’t chosen). This contract will last for as long as you want it to.

It also states, that, the special 'deemed' contract will be more expensive as the supplier is taking a risk taking on the new customers at short notice meaning they will have to purchase more energy at short notice.

So the 2 contradict each other really.

You cant tell the customer they will be moved onto a comparable tariff but then state the supplier basically has the right to screw you over.

So illogical to the consumer but plenty of protection to the supplier.
Who on earth monitors Ofgem?

8861

Ofgem are accountable to this lot : ( taken from Ofgem website )

We are governed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA). This consists of non-executive and executive members and a non-executive chair. Non-executive members bring experience and expertise from a range of areas including:

industry
economics
consumer and social policy
science and the environment
finance and investment
European energy issues.

8861

We’ll switch from Extra Energy has been blocked , Scottish Power has denied responsibility and blamed Ofgem , Ofgem are unable to , refuse to comment .

wavelets

8861 wrote: »

It seems to me that Extra Energy customers have been sold out by Ofgem , why Ofgem
Thinks it is in The customers best interest to gift 108,000 accounts to Scottish Power is totally absurd . As a Extra Energy customer I got an email from Scottish Power instructing me to submit meter readings and then sign up to a new contract , direct debit would increase from £ 86 pm to £156 pm !
There is no way I am agreeing to that . Scottish Powers customer service call handler was totally dismissive of my objections to this process, and claimed I have absolutely no
Choice in the matter , and I am not allowed to switch until Scottish Power say so and I cannot make a formal complaint to them until I sign a contract with them.
Spoke to Ofgem re this crazy situation, their own staff have no idea as to the legitimacy of Ofgem’s actions.
Suffice to say I have placed a formal complaint to Ofgem and to the directors office of Scottish Power.
I have started the switch process to another provider and will have to wait to see if this goes through .
`I am very surprised at the total lack of interest shown by any of the consumer groups in this country, including this website , apart from repeating the rubbish “ advice “ from Ofgem.

8861 wrote: »

We’ll switch from Extra Energy has been blocked , Scottish Power has denied responsibility and blamed Ofgem , Ofgem are unable to , refuse to comment .

You don't say... :cool:

les-patots

My 2018 Extra Energy statement email came through on the day they went out of business. I am unable to access my online account information, usage/credit etc but they still took the DD two days later !

WhoIsThat

les-patots wrote: »

My 2018 Extra Energy statement email came through on the day they went out of business. I am unable to access my online account information, usage/credit etc but they still took the DD two days later !

Your thread from last week on this matter here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5934135

Any money paid will be be reflected on your Extra Energy account, and Scottish Power will honour such credit balance, although the process may take a few weeks as Scottish Power needs to receive and review records from Extra Energy.