Energy Switching - The Process

GunJack

I'm just switching for the first time in about 4 years (because I kept getting good retention deals, before anyone says anything ).

The process is pathetic!! Surely it would be far easier, straightforward and transparent if you read your meters and give the reading to both the incoming and outgoing suppliers on the same day??

No, far too simple apparently. Read meters, give to incoming supplier, they pass it to an intermediary (who has nothing to do with your account) who in turn pass it to the outgoing supplier, who may sort your final bill in about a month!!!!!

Surely, getting this long-winded process streamlined should be worthy of a Martin Lewis campaign??

Talldave

You missed a step out. The intermediary (I have no idea what they're called) may change your readings before giving them to both your old and new suppliers and you have absolutely no comeback unless the answer they come up with and the figures you supplied differ by more than a certain (secret?) percentage.


I'm with you - it's pathetic.

GunJack

Talldave wrote: »

You missed a step out. The intermediary (I have no idea what they're called) may change your readings before giving them to both your old and new suppliers and you have absolutely no comeback unless the answer they come up with and the figures you supplied differ by more than a certain (secret?) percentage.


I'm with you - it's pathetic.

So, how is this more transparent than giving both companies the same reading? What right does the intermediary have to change the readings? Surely this should be construed as fraud against any of the parties involved, by the intermediary which is being enabled by the process?!?!?!?!?

Talldave

GunJack wrote: »

So, how is this more transparent than giving both companies the same reading? What right does the intermediary have to change the readings? Surely this should be construed as fraud against any of the parties involved, by the intermediary which is being enabled by the process?!?!?!?!?

I have no idea. I live in hopes that when smart metering becomes more widespread this intermediary will be out of a job.


On my last switch I was left a few quid out of pocket because the intermediary changed my readings in such a way that I had to pay my old (more expensive) supplier for more kWh hours than I had actually used at the time of the switch. Praise due to Pure Planet, my new supplier, for crediting me for the loss, which meant they were out of pocket and my old supplier walked off with money that was not rightly theirs.


I am guessing that it is also this intermediary's fault that when you move to a new property and contact a supplier, they seem to have some idea what your consumption will be (because they track meter readings and guesstimate future consumption?). This can be slightly annoying if, as in my case, the previous occupant seems to have been using ludicrous amounts on energy and you know your consumption will be lower, as the supplier will pressure you to set up a higher direct debit amount.

bristolleedsfan

Talldave wrote: »

You missed a step out. The intermediary (I have no idea what they're called) may change your readings before giving them to both your old and new suppliers and you have absolutely no comeback unless the answer they come up with and the figures you supplied differ by more than a certain (secret?) percentage.


I'm with you - it's pathetic.

Nothing secret about the........all the energy companies should give the same answer when queries come up by customer.

Apparent reason for the current method used mentioned in earlier posts when switching is some people were giving final meter reading less than was the case in order to pay excess units at lower price with new supplier.

This is answer I received from Utility Point, when I gave my first reading as a UP customer the excess 25 units I paid when switching away from Bulb ( higher gas rate) was credited/refunded to my UP account at UP lower Gas rate.

Explanation about historical readings doesnt help when change of occupier involved especially when household has gone from 2 adults 2 children to 1 Adult

"The readings from the Industry are generated based upon historic reads that have been submitted to them by all energy suppliers that have supplied services to your address, we are unable to dispute a reading if it is less than 38 units difference for your type of gas meter, it is not simply a case of amending the reading, this all needs to be agreed with the industry and they will not raise a dispute if it falls outside tolerance."

GunJack

bristolleedsfan wrote: »

Apparent reason for the current method used mentioned in earlier posts when switching is some people were giving final meter reading less than was the case in order to pay excess units at lower price with new supplier.

And giving both old & new supplier the same readings would get over this....if they both get the same, then they can argue over it in the background and leave the customer out of it...but then how could they argue if they've both got the same (especially if backed up with photos of the meters when you take the reading)??

The whole intermediary thing is just so unnecessary .... and why oh why do they say to allow 6 WEEKS!!!!!! to generate a final bill?? Normally they do it within a couple of days.....

bristolleedsfan

Contrary to what UP said the two energy companies can if they wish agree to accept Customer reading between themselves.


When I switched from B.G to Bulb, estimated reading given by so called independent ..... was 25 Gas units less than when I moved in 5 days earlier. ( I put a complaint to them both)

Bulb initiated a phone call to ask BG if they were happy to agree to my reading which they were as was same reading given when I moved in.

GunJack

bristolleedsfan wrote: »

Contrary to what UP said the two energy companies can if they wish agree to accept Customer reading between themselves.


When I switched from B.G to Bulb, estimated reading given by so called independent ..... was 25 Gas units less than when I moved in 5 days earlier. Bulb initiated a phone call to ask BG if they were happy to agree to my reading which they were as was same reading given when I moved in.

Exactly my point - the official process should be amended so that both old & new companies get the same reading, on the agreed day, from the customer, and the intermediary is removed altogether....

Shavuot

GunJack wrote: »

I'm just switching for the first time in about 4 years (because I kept getting good retention deals, before anyone says anything ).

I'm not saying a word.
Yuo'll omly annoy the admin team if I do :cool:

GunJack wrote: »

The process is pathetic!! Surely it would be far easier, straightforward and transparent if you read your meters and give the reading to both the incoming and outgoing suppliers on the same day??

You can if you want

No, far too simple apparently. Read meters, give to incoming supplier, they pass it to an intermediary (who has nothing to do with your account) who in turn pass it to the outgoing supplier, who may sort your final bill in about a month!!!!!

I bet you even still take 2 bottles into the shower too.

GunJack wrote: »

Surely, getting this long-winded process streamlined should be worthy of a Martin Lewis campaign??

Martin is avoiding all socail media this week, as he also does every weekend (and probably every weekday day before 9am and after about 3pm)

Can't possibly think why ... :cool:

GunJack

Shavuot wrote: »

I'm not saying a word.
Yuo'll omly annoy the admin team if I do :cool:

You can if you want

I bet you even still take 2 bottles into the shower too.

Martin is avoiding all socail media this week, as he also does every weekend (and probably every weekday day before 9am and after about 3pm)

Can't possibly think why ... :cool:

Anything at all constructive to add? No?...

didn't think so...

PennineAcute

I suppose it stops the people who give false readings.