Move to Bulb Energy

83SW83SW

Hi, I recently moved to Bulb Energy for both Gas and Electricity from Utilita, where I used to use around 45 a month for Electricity and 20 for Gas (this increases slightly during the Winter but in my 5 years with Utilita, I never exceeded £80 per month). My Bulb quote was for £52 per month for both utilities.

On my move to Bulb I supplied them with readings, which they claimed to be incorrect. I was then advised that someone had been to read my meters (which they had not as my meters are both inside my home and I had not let anyone in to read them) and they used these ‘supposed’ readings for my opening reading. I have had to supply a reading each month for the last three months, however they have only used my September reading with October and November being estimated in spite of me supplying them with readings each month.

Yesterday I received another estimated bill which is for £120 for one months usage. As advised, when with Utilita readings were taken from my meter every half an hour and in all my time with them I never exceeded £80 per month. I have questioned this with Bulb who claim that they believe this amount to be correct ‘owing to the time of year’. Considering I am a single male, living in a one bedroom flat and the Bulb unit price costing less than the Utilita price, I find this cost to be extremely excessive.

I am a relative novice when it comes to energy suppliers having been with the same one for 5 years. Any suggestion or advice anyone can give will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

mac.d

Tell them you are not paying an estimated bill, provide them with an up to date meter reading (could always send them a photo of the meter showing the reading if they are being difficult) and request a revised bill.

Don't use £money as a guide to what your bills have been and may be in future, you need to record your actual usage from taking regular meter readings. Electricity prices go up, and generally have done so quite a bit in the past year, so it's not the best comparison to use.

If you record meter readings monthly, you can use them to work out roughly how much your bill should be, and even if Bulb are being difficult, you will have the evidence of your current and past usage figures to prove them wrong.

mattinglis

If you haven't already done so make sure you log it as a complaint with Bulb,

They are very savvy and don't class a normal "this is broken" as a complaint.

Once you have it logged as a complaint the clock starts ticking and if it has been 8 weeks you log it with the Energy Ombudsman to resolve (they are a joke, but i'm sure sometimes they get it correct), its a simple online form where you provide your evidence and suppliers provide theirs.

I found asking them for a deadlock letter (means you both can't agree) and allows you to go straight to the ombudsman, made them sit up and take action.

I make sure whenever i take meter readings i take a picture on my phone (then just sit down at computer and type them in), that way if anyone ever questions it i have evidence.

fizzypop

I have a problem getting an email response from their helpline after sending three requests asking when the £40 bill credit will be applied to my account. This credit was stated in the T&C on initial setup of the contract.



Setup dual fuel 7 August 2019 using MSE Cheap Energy offer. I have already received the MSE cashback of £25.


Has anyone an answer to when the £40 is paid?

mattinglis

Phone them was the only way to get a response for me,

Took them 6 weeks to answer an email and then only with a one line answer.

staggered

mattinglis wrote: »

If you haven't already done so make sure you log it as a complaint with Bulb,

They are very savvy and don't class a normal "this is broken" as a complaint.

Once you have it logged as a complaint the clock starts ticking and if it has been 8 weeks you log it with the Energy Ombudsman to resolve (they are a joke, but i'm sure sometimes they get it correct), its a simple online form where you provide your evidence and suppliers provide theirs.

I found asking them for a deadlock letter (means you both can't agree) and allows you to go straight to the ombudsman, made them sit up and take action.

I make sure whenever i take meter readings i take a picture on my phone (then just sit down at computer and type them in), that way if anyone ever questions it i have evidence.

I second this. I complained to them and got absolutely nowhere, not even a reply, until 7 weeks and 6 days had passed when them miraculously sorted the problem out.