Elderly Parents getting Ripped Off

louise_gal

Beware of bulb switching you from your own energy supplier. My dad got a letter through couple weeks ago saying sorry you are leaving us. He has never spoke to anyone about this. I phoned rob and told them and they are sorting it out so he is still with them. I asked how could this have happened and lady says sometimes agencies can do this i was angry at this but was happy they were able to sort this. Then yesterday my dad got a new key and gas card through door in my dead mums name. I am so angry at this how could someone even manage to do this. Everything is in my dads name. Just be careful incase there is elderly parents or even yourselves that this could happen to. I’m am going to phone bulb tomorrow as shut at weekend. So angry that this could have happened 

Robin9

The only figure that's relevant to you from button 9 is the first one - 45335 kWh.
Say no to the E7 question - unlikely as they have gas.

General opinion re the different suppliers is they are about the same.  Play your part right by reading the meter and checking your bills and you should be  OK

xlnc99

Yes, i just want to sort out the big bill for the winter and then ile switch over today with your recommendations and then i will be keeping an eye on the meter going forward. I still need advice and help on how to do the above, but one step at a time.

Step 1 - I have given the meter readings - can i claim a refund?
Step 2 - Which company shall i switch too?

Talldave

It looks like the offset is consistent, so our previously documented suspicions are correct. You need to sort the electricity problem out before switching electricity,  but if I remember correctly there's not really any issue with gas and the suggestion was to switch just the gas to Ebico.

As previously stated, you need to use separate suppliers to get best value for money. Checking with a comparison site will confirm this.

Robin9

Stepxlnc99 said:

Step 1 - I have given the meter readings - can i claim a refund?

Get this switch sorted first. 
From what you poster before I can't see there is any thing to claim  - as we don't know what went on with the months in question

Talldave

We do know, it's all been discussed in great detail. In January, the readings being given to the supplier switched from the Using register to the Import register,  hence a sudden additional jump of 3782 units on top of normal monthly usage. I think this needs sorting before switching electricity, which is no big deal because separate suppliers will give the best value.

Robin9

Step 2 - Which company shall i switch too?

It's your choice xlnc99 .  I think that your were advised to use a electric consumption of 4,000 kWh per year.
 Have you put that figure into a comparison site eg CAB -  which comes out best.  You are looking for the bottom line cost not the so called ""savings"

xlnc99

@Talldave - Thanks for confirming this. The two questions i have to ask is how much is in error? The winter months you can see from the bill have high electricity - so how much is the exact amount i can claim back for my parents and for what months? Also - how do i claim this back? What do i say to scottish power exactly? 

@Robin9 - i think the electricity refund should be done first? Do you not agree? However, i believe scottish power will drag this out so could cost me one or two months at least. I put 8000kwh as it was last years consumption. - i had a look at Switch, i will try CAB. How do i find the bottom line, all it says to me is 'savings'

So you think i should look for seperate supplies for gas and electricity instead of dual? Is this how people do it? i.e you guys?

Robin9

Definitely  - look at separate gas and electric.

Don't delay the switch - while you are arguing with SP you parents are loosing money

The bottom line is what they estimate the bill to be.  The savings are misleading as they assume you will stay with the present supplier and be paying their standard tariff for at least part of the next year.

MWT

xlnc99 said:

@Talldave - Thanks for confirming this. The two questions i have to ask is how much is in error? The winter months you can see from the bill have high electricity - so how much is the exact amount i can claim back for my parents and for what months? Also - how do i claim this back? What do i say to scottish power exactly?

First watch the video I posted here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77404936/#Comment_77404936

This shows the right and the wrong way to read that meter.

Up until January the wrong meter reading was being sent and it should be your contention when you call them that it has always been submitted that way. The reading being used up to January was the 'USING NOW' number.

From January the correct register was used which is the 'IMP KWH' reading.

This caused the usage to jump by 3,783kWh, the cost of this is what you will be asking them to refund..