Billing after switching supplier

387renovations

Hi all, 
I have recently switched energy provider and seem to have overlapping bills (so seems like effectively paying double). Had an email from old supplier saying final bill will be collected 10th March, yet new provider has already set up direct debit?

Thanks in advance

Matt

Talldave

Timing of payments has nothing to do with bills overlappingor not. I switched gas on 7th Feb. Old supplier took a payment on the regular payment date of 15 Feb and will take final payment on 15 Mar. New supplier took payment on 7 Feb and next one on 7 Mar. But bills don't overlap. 

JGB1955

Most of the smaller energy companies now take a payment in advance, so it's quite possible you will have two direct debits in one month.  The important thing to check is that the meter readings on your final bill matches the opening readings on your new suppliers bill.

burntwood

387renovations said:

Hi all, 
I have recently switched energy provider and seem to have overlapping bills (so seems like effectively paying double). Had an email from old supplier saying final bill will be collected 10th March, yet new provider has already set up direct debit?

Thanks in advance

Matt

Please check your bills carefully. There should be no overlapping of billing days or units i.e. double billing.

If you find there is, then raise a complaint.

387renovations

Just seemed odd that we get one month where we seem to have two payments go out rather than the final bill from the old supplier, followed the next month by the first DD taken by the new supplier. I understand the meter readings given to the new supplier were given to the old one also, so there should not be any duplicate charging. It may be that the new take the money early, but if that happened the last time we switched then surely they'd have a buffer of money from when they set up their direct debit? 

Robin9

387renovations said:

Just seemed odd that we get one month where we seem to have two payments go out rather than the final bill from the old supplier, followed the next month by the first DD taken by the new supplier. I understand the meter readings given to the new supplier were given to the old one also, so there should not be any duplicate charging. It may be that the new take the money early, but if that happened the last time we switched then surely they'd have a buffer of money from when they set up their direct debit? 

387renovations said:

 It may be that the new take the money early, but if that happened the last time we switched then surely they'd have a buffer of money from when they set up their direct debit? 

Depends on your consumption - if the DD was underestimated you will owe money; 

Are in credit at the moment

victor2

387renovations said:

Just seemed odd that we get one month where we seem to have two payments go out rather than the final bill from the old supplier, followed the next month by the first DD taken by the new supplier. I understand the meter readings given to the new supplier were given to the old one also, so there should not be any duplicate charging. It may be that the new take the money early, but if that happened the last time we switched then surely they'd have a buffer of money from when they set up their direct debit? 

If you switch from a supplier that took payments in arrears (like one of the "big 6") to a supplier who takes payments in advance, as many of the smaller suppliers do, then you will make two payments in one month. The good news is that if you switch the other way, you can effectively get a payment holiday for a month. I've done both

Also check that your final bill and opening one with the new supplier use the same readings. An industry regulator is supposed to check the readings for reasonableness and instruct the losing and gaining supplier what readings to use. Twice when switching, I've had different readings used and had to sort it out by showing the new supplier the final bill from the old one. Wouldn't have minded if they were in my favour, but they weren't!

allison445

I feel your pain at present I am paying 3 moved and symbio are still taking for my previous address new address was with utilita paying them as well and Ive just moved to outfox the market who toke there first payment a few days ago so awaiting 2 final bills 
My final bill for previous address for gas with zog energy was issued within 3 days and refund in my account within 7 if only all suppliers were as fast.

badmemory

If you switch to one of Peoples Energy fixes then the first DD payment is double the future DDs.  This upfront payment is probably what has stopped them as a new supplier from growing so fast they can't cope.  Very happy with them by the way but you do need to be prepared for the first payment.