Huge final bill

west_head_

Hi all, new to this forum so not 100% sure if this is the right place for this, anyway...

I was signed up to SO ENergy by the 'Manage My Bills' service, who automatically switch you to the cheapest supplier on their books. After the last switch in October SO Energy debited £319 from my account without warning. I called my bank who then reversed the debit and cancelled the DD. I then get an email from SO Energy saying I owe them £319, based on estimations of energy usage. I hadn't supplied a reading during the time I was with them, but I did get a reading in December '18 and November '19 - so I asked if they could recalculate the bill based on those readings. They said they didn't have to to as their estimations fall within industry tolerance levels. Is there anything I can do about this or do I have to just suck it up and pay? I've said I can pay over 12 months but don't want to set up another Direct Debit as I don't trust them.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks
Neil

Essmum

Did you not give a opening read to your new supplier? If so that should have gone to the old supplier to calculate your final bill.
You really need to give at least semi regular meter reads to keep your account accurate.
If they wont/cant recalulate the bill than they should offer you a payment plan to pay the final bill.

west_head_

I did give an opening read, but I'd already been charged by then. They wouldn't recalculate either, can they refuse like that?

Essmum

If its within industry regulations than they dont have to recalculate.. what is the difference between the reads you gave and the estimated reads?

west_head_

The last estimated reads from SO Energy were:
4/10/19 - Gas - 9125 100s cubic feet
4/10/19 - Elec - 55404 kWh

The readings I gave the new supplier:
20/10/19 - Gas - 9077 100s cubic feet
20/10/19 - Elec - 55495 kWh

So I guess there's not much difference between the estimations and the actual usage? Therefore I was led to believe it'd be cheaper based on the proposed monthly repayment, rather than the cost per unit of energy. Great.

Essmum

Yes theres not much difference in the estimated and the actual reads..
In future make sure you give opening and closing reads so you're only billed for the energy you've used.

west_head_

Thanks for helping me to clarify the situation.

Essmum

You're welcome.

molerat

The old supplier must use the reads supplied to the system and verified as the changeover read. They cannot make up the read and say it is within industry tolerance - that is when the read used is not what you supply, you cannot challenge the industry read if it is within tolerance - they must use the same figure as the new supplier. That figure may not be the one you supplied as the read goes through a third party for verification but both suppliers must use the same one. If the readings are different then raise a complaint.

matelodave

PLease get into the habit of reading your meters once a month, giving the meter readings to your supplier and most important CHECK your bills or on line account to ensure that your account is using your readings.

This will avoid any surprises and you'll know that your bills are accurate. It's not hard but it can save all manner of grief in the future - you know it makes sense

poorlad

west_head_ wrote: »

The last estimated reads from SO Energy were:
4/10/19 - Gas - 9125 100s cubic feet
4/10/19 - Elec - 55404 kWh

The readings I gave the new supplier:
20/10/19 - Gas - 9077 100s cubic feet
20/10/19 - Elec - 55495 kWh

So I guess there's not much difference between the estimations and the actual usage? Therefore I was led to believe it'd be cheaper based on the proposed monthly repayment, rather than the cost per unit of energy. Great.

Looking at the reads above you may end up being double billed for your gas i.e. old supplier has billed you up to 9125 and the new supplier will bill you from 9077. So you could end up paying twice for 48 units. However, we don't know what your new supplier has actually used as an opening read? Also, I'm Assuming you switched supply on the 4/10/2019 but the readings you gave to the new supplier were taken on the 20/10/2019?

BTW Your electricity is actually in your favour.