Fuel suppliers

Gerry1

You may wish to do the sums and to consider telling the bank to cancel the DD if you're sure you will have sufficient credit to clear the account, as is quite likely at this time of year. But tell Shell and check the Ts & Cs to make sure there's not a charge for a bounced DD.

You could always make a one-off payment in advance to make up any shortfall.

Biggus_Dickus

Gerry1 wrote: »

Don't bank on it ! They have a leisurely six weeks to get round to producing your final bill, and then a further two weeks to send you the refund.

Oh, and the wonderful Ofgem has funked it: they were going to impose automatic £30 compensation if the final bill was late, but at the last minute they kicked it into the long grass.

I guess OFGEM bowed to pressure from some of the Energy companies who (with some justification, imho) objected to the £30 compensation for late final bills on account of the fact that delays in producing said ‘Final Bill’ can often be due to factors beyond their control, e.g. the 3rd party ‘meter reading verification process’ which can sometimes take many weeks.

Smodlet

Not to be smug but nPower produced my final bill on 7th (switched 25th July) and refunded my credit today... 4 working days when they quoted 10.

Sometimes, some suppliers can get it right and I still feel more comfortable with established companies, myself. I am so old I remember when energy was nationalised; there was one gas supplier for the country and one electricity supplier per region. There was no choice but neither were there comparison sites and exit fees...

wilson1973

Gerry1 wrote: »

You may wish to do the sums and to consider telling the bank to cancel the DD if you're sure you will have sufficient credit to clear the account, as is quite likely at this time of year. But tell Shell and check the Ts & Cs to make sure there's not a charge for a bounced DD.

You could always make a one-off payment in advance to make up any shortfall.

Hi I checked yesterday and it was about £340 in credit so I will ring them soon

wilson1973

Smodlet wrote: »

Not to be smug but nPower produced my final bill on 7th (switched 25th July) and refunded my credit today... 4 working days when they quoted 10.

Sometimes, some suppliers can get it right and I still feel more comfortable with established companies, myself. I am so old I remember when energy was nationalised; there was one gas supplier for the country and one electricity supplier per region. There was no choice but neither were there comparison sites and exit fees...

It's nice when a company is organised like that and they do things properly,instead of being unconcerned because you've left and they can get round to it when they can be bothered:)

Smodlet

wilson1973, you sound like a pretty cool person doing all this for your mum. I said I don't know about power of attorney but there is quite a deal of information on this site if you look for it.

I don't know but imagine that, if one supplier can accept a power of attorney document which makes you, to all intents and purposes, the account holder, then they all can.

I cannot speak for anyone else, obviously, but think we will be here if you need us.

wilson1973

Hi thanks I have posted the LPA to them this afternoon,I hope that's the last thing I have to arrange online,it was easy at the bank as I could talk to them in person when I did that a few years ago,and fortunately it was only pension companies that I had to send the LPA to.

Biggus_Dickus

wilson1973 wrote: »

Hi thanks I have posted the LPA to them this afternoon,I hope that's the last thing I have to arrange online,it was easy at the bank as I could talk to them in person when I did that a few years ago,and fortunately it was only pension companies that I had to send the LPA to.

Most energy companies will take your first months D/D in advance. If Avro take your first monthly payment on 25th August your next payment will be taken on 25th Sept and so on;...they always tend to take the 1st payment a few days before you ‘officially’ become a customer (in your case 3rd Sept.)

As you have a large (£340) credit balance built up with Shell I see no good reason why Shell should take another D/D from you on 6th Sept;...however, they might do!

Some companies do take an extra D/D if you are in the middle of a switch,...some don’t. I’ve no idea what Shell’s policy is but I would contact them to clarify the D/D and your (large) credit balance situation.

Just a word of caution;...the received wisdom is that in general it is not a good move to unilaterally cancel your D/D,..it can, in certain circumstances, cause problems/delays with your switch;...once again, check carefully with Shell.

I’ve had personal experience in recent years of administering estates/accounts via LPA for both my parents;...not always straight forward is it?:( ...good luck.

wilson1973

Hi thanks,I shall give Shell a ring today

Smodlet

I agree with Biggus (I refuse to write the second part of your username ) that most small companies can't wait to get their mitts on your money; not so the Big 6 if your credit record is acceptable. This is another reason I prefer to deal with (some of) them. I realise this limits me to an extent but am fine with that as the Warm Home Discount forgives a great many sins.

wilson1973, does your mother qualify for that? If she does, this should influence your decision. I am sorry to complicate matters for you; I feel this is all I am doing but want you to be aware of all factors and am sorry they don't all occur to me at the same time.