Charged twice for same Electricity when switching over from Our Power to Utilita

bonus2010

I was formally with the failed energy supplier, Our Power Ltd where I was transferred over to Utilita Energy following an Ofgem decision to make Utilita Supplier of Last Resort.

I received my final bill from OurPower’s administrators on 18th March 2019, but although their final electricity reading of 5106 (31st Jan 2019) was slightly higher than a meter reading I had provided to Utilita’s website of 5088 on 1st February 2019, I expected Utilita & OurPower to have had agreed to use the same reading of 5106.

Experienced energy switching members here will know that when switching energy supplier, the losing and gaining supplier don’t necessarily use the meter reading that you have provided to the new supplier your switching to, but instead both suppliers can agree on a different meter reading, but most importantly it is the same meter reading. (an industry practice as its explained)

After waiting nearly 6 months, I’ve received my final bill from Utilita today, to find that they have used an opening reading of 5086, instead of 5106, the closing meter reading of Our Power’s bill, meaning I’m getting charged for 20kWh of electricity twice.

I should add that the opening and closing readings for the gas supply is the same and correct, just that the electricity is different meter values.

I haven’t phoned Utilita yet, but I’d appreciate any advice as how to proceed. I would’ve thought Utilita and OurPower’s administrators would’ve had a responsibility to ensure that they are using the same meter readings for opening & closing respectively.

Benight

bonus2010 wrote: »

I was formally with the failed energy supplier, Our Power Ltd where I was transferred over to Utilita Energy following an Ofgem decision to make Utilita Supplier of Last Resort.

I received my final bill from OurPower’s administrators on 18th March 2019, but although their final electricity reading of 5106 (31st Jan 2019) was slightly higher than a meter reading I had provided to Utilita’s website of 5088 on 1st February 2019, I expected Utilita & OurPower to have had agreed to use the same reading of 5106.

Experienced energy switching members here will know that when switching energy supplier, the losing and gaining supplier don’t necessarily use the meter reading that you have provided to the new supplier your switching to, but instead both suppliers can agree on a different meter reading, but most importantly it is the same meter reading. (an industry practice as its explained)

After waiting nearly 6 months, I’ve received my final bill from Utilita today, to find that they have used an opening reading of 5086, instead of 5106, the closing meter reading of Our Power’s bill, meaning I’m getting charged for 20kWh of electricity twice.

I should add that the opening and closing readings for the gas supply is the same and correct, just that the electricity is different meter values.

I haven’t phoned Utilita yet, but I’d appreciate any advice as how to proceed. I would’ve thought Utilita and OurPower’s administrators would’ve had a responsibility to ensure that they are using the same meter readings for opening & closing respectively.

When switching supplier (inc as a result of an Ofgem order) it is the new supplier that is responsible entirely for managing the switch.

If the reading is not the same, then complain to your new supplier.

bonus2010

Benight wrote: »

When switching supplier (inc as a result of an Ofgem order) it is the new supplier that is responsible entirely for managing the switch.

If the reading is not the same, then complain to your new supplier.

Thanks, I'll give them a ring tomorrow. Just a bit concerned that I should have raised it with OurPower's adminstrators at the time of the over-estimate.



Cheers.

Xbigman

So we are talking about £3, I'd just eat it and move on. It's not worth the hassle no matter how annoying it is.



Darren

bonus2010

Xbigman wrote: »

So we are talking about £3, I'd just eat it and move on. It's not worth the hassle no matter how annoying it is.



Darren

I've had energy suppliers that I've left chasing me for a bill of 32p. Same with the Council Tax, a bill for 15p...so I consider £3.49, that I've calculated as to be big bucks! Their other error they've made is chaging their higher rate for an extra day for gas. Utilita don't have a standing charge but instead have two rates, the first rate being very high.

brewerdave

Xbigman wrote: »

So we are talking about £3, I'd just eat it and move on. It's not worth the hassle no matter how annoying it is.



Darren

I'm having a similar argument with Together Energy/One Select over £4 (double charged for leccy) - no skin off my nose to continue to press for resolution, as I owe them ~ £144 which I won't pay til they sort out:)
As per previous post, in the past I've been chased by a Utility Co. for a couple of quid due on a recalculated final bill- so what's sauce for the goose.......

bonus2010

Just an update, phoned Utilita there, advised them of the erros and been told they'll deduct £3.49 from account an re-send out the amended final bill which I should receive in 1 week.


Didin't need to wait long to get through with my free phone minutes, so should be another save for the money saving fanatic! lol

Carrot007

Benight wrote: »

When switching supplier (inc as a result of an Ofgem order) it is the new supplier that is responsible entirely for managing the switch.

Which is the problem as it's a complete reversal of how the process actually occurs and would need massive changes in the systems to actually impliment (if it is even possible).


Justs the usual for OFGEM though, insist something should be one way even if it causes problems or is ridiculous for some reason. (See mandated data on comparison sites that mean nothing).


So what we have now is that the outgoing supplier validates the final read and the new supplier is allowed to ignore it because ofgem said they have final say. Sensible.

molerat

Carrot007 wrote: »

Which is the problem as it's a complete reversal of how the process actually occurs and would need massive changes in the systems to actually impliment (if it is even possible).


Justs the usual for OFGEM though, insist something should be one way even if it causes problems or is ridiculous for some reason. (See mandated data on comparison sites that mean nothing).


So what we have now is that the outgoing supplier validates the final read and the new supplier is allowed to ignore it because ofgem said they have final say. Sensible.

Never had that happen to me, always had new supplier agreed reads used. Had one problem with my switch from Eon to Iresa where Eon used the agreed figure then Iresa changed it due to moving the switch date forward after it had happened and getting a new validated figure, a simple case of e-mailing Eon and they used the new figure.

JimWatters

Advised I owe £12K by Utilita then £400 and now they have decided over £1K after I was moved over from Our Power


These guys prey on the elderly and honest unsuspecting customers who had to move from Our Power to them influenced by the regulator.
They are experts in avoidance and today it took an hour to speak with
their team leader James Learman
Not James's fault but his complaint handler Kate Matthewson
who has ignored my e-mails copying in Bill Bullen for the last 7 weeks
Not even the decency to come on the phone or answer any of my queries sensibly she has just intimated to James that she will just deadlock me as she does not have any answers.
The installation of a smart meter gives evidence of my DD being right for my monthly usage however I have had firstly demands of £12K and now £1k based on an over 30 year old meter giving inaccurate readings.
The stance they are taking is that was the readings so you owe us what the inaccurate readings tell us
Oh I was offered £100 goodwill to make me go away as they don't like people challenging them to use their brains
Credit to James he talked to me however the invisible Kate is collecting her salary without taking responsibility and ownership of my complaint.
Shocking behaviour ignoring my e-mails for 2 months and then just saying I will have a deadlock letter sent to you tomorrow
Thankfully James has arranged for someone to call me back at 15:45 tomorrow to answer my questions
However not holding my breath as previously all other promises have been broken

Cliffheinz

I've got the same issue as the OP following a switch from Ebico to Ecotricity. The double charge is around £10.50. Not a lot of money but surely it's as easy to get right as it is to screw up the switch?
Ebico stated this error is within the "industry threshold" implying that a small value customer rip-off is permitted! Anyone else had this response and overturned it to receive a credit?