Shell Energy Back-Billing

CJRyder

Hi everyone,

Had a bill from Shell, four months after switching away and three months after paying the Final Bill. Apparently they hadn't billed me for any gas despite being given meter readings and wanted £336.08 using my readings for the duration of my contract and in breach of the Ofgem Back-Billing Principle.

They have been contacted, requested the bill revised under the Principle (should be just under £200) and requested £300 compensation (£150 each for me and wife). I have also offered to let them write off the bill and I won't pursue compensation. I have climbed the Resolution ladder so far, recorded every call and just waiting for a resolution.

What are the chances that they will find it easier to write off the bill Vs sticking me with a £200 headache? Whilst I can afford it and know legally liable for anything used in the 12 months prior to the bill, it's just really irritating that they ignored 18 months worth of readings.

Cheers!

molerat

Back billing yes but, as for compensation, you are having a laugh. Go to the ombudsman if you want but they will just laugh and offer £30. Surely you can prove the actual amount owed within the time limit with meter readings.

CJRyder

Thanks for the reply. I am realistic about the situation but also believe in the "Don't ask, don't get!" philosophy. So far I have budgeted for this bill (once adjusted) but will pursue it as far as possible.

As for £30 compensation via Ofgem, it would still be £30 I didn't have towards the bill.

CJRyder

Update - It's been moved through to the Resolution Centre. I have been informed that when I switched to Shell, they took control of the gas supply but Billing failed to manually add the supply to my account. Still waiting to hear on what a final settlement figure will be and if any compensation will be offered.

dogshome

In a way your lucky that you not on a D/Debit tariff, otherwise the money you were paying for gas that wasn't being billed, would have ended up as a huge credit that Shell would have eventually used to pay for the unbilled gas.


However, history shows that suppliers can get 'creative' when billing for last 12 months in a Back-billing situation.
You know your Start Reading and the End Reading - Try to work out the annual consumption from these figures, and challange Shell if they are lower than their demand.

CJRyder

Update time: Back in December I received an email that the bill had been reduced to £214 and some change under the Back Billing principle. No response or statement. I chased this up a few days ago. Apparently the Resolution representative had never seen a case where the gas hadn't been attached to an account. Apparently the regular compensation amount is £50. However, because of the unusual circumstances, the representative offered just over £114 to bring the amount down to an even £100.

I did accept this figure as I was expecting a maximum offer of £70 compensation. If it was under this, I would have chanced it with Ofgem. Been offered a payment arrangement to split it over 6 months too.

Now to wait for an amended statement...

CJRyder

Statement took ages to arrive. For a company that sent a big bill, they seemed to be rather slow at taking my money. Anyway, paper statement arrived on Thursday. Paid up that evening, received confirmation of payment today. Matter is finally closed.