Repayment of credit in account

Phil27356

Hi All,
I had a search around but couldn't find an answer to my question.

I have just successfully had my direct debit reduced to my energy company. They have also just agreed to refund me over £200 of credit. The only thing is, they said they will pay it into my account on 22nd April. That is some 12 weeks from now. Is this the norm? If I was to switch providers they would have to refund my credit a lot quicker than that. Should I push them to pay it back quicker?
Many thanks.

Phil

Neil_Jones

Who's the supplier?

cranford

After you switch they will have up 6 weeks to provide the final bill then another 10 working days to give you a refund. If it takes more than the 10 days then they have to give you £30 compo.
So if the switch takes 3 weeks it could be 11 weeks before you get your money back!
Maybe if you are out of contract and can get a better deal elsewhere then they don't deserve you custom and possibly you could do better than the 22 April. Ring them and tell them you are planning to leave if they cant give you an earlier refund.

clochi

Phil27356 wrote: »

Hi All,
I had a search around but couldn't find an answer to my question.

I have just successfully had my direct debit reduced to my energy company. They have also just agreed to refund me over £200 of credit. The only thing is, they said they will pay it into my account on 22nd April. That is some 12 weeks from now. Is this the norm? If I was to switch providers they would have to refund my credit a lot quicker than that. Should I push them to pay it back quicker?
Many thanks.

Phil

Getting any accrued credit back whilst you are still with the supplier should usually be quicker than leaving them.
See above post for why it may take a long time once you leave.

If a credit has accumulated and a customer asks for it back, suppliers must refund it. If the supplier thinks the credit should be withheld, the reasons why must be clearly explained but customers can challenge this

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/

It's currently January. If the supplier says they will not refund you until late April, that sounds like they are withholding.

You may need to follow the supplier's complaint procedure.

Gerry1

I'd be sorely tempted to cancel my direct debit for a month, having studied the Ts &Cs carefully and telling them I would re-instate it before my account ran out of credit.

But even if the Ts &Cs threatened eternal damnation for cancelling the DD, I doubt whether they could make it stick. I wouldn't be a debtor, so it would probably be considered to be an Unfair Contract.

Phil27356

The supplier is OTM (Outfox The Market)
Apologies for tardy response

Phil27356

Thank you for your comments and advice. I have just telephoned Outfox the Market. Before I could even open my ammunition box I received an explanation that it was just a simple mistake on the email and my refund would actually be with me some four weeks sooner than the date given.
I'm happy with the response and inclined to believe it. Thanks again all.