Confused?

Rich_J

Hi All.  We're currently caught up in the Yorkshire Energy/Scottish Power debacle and wonder what's the best course of action? 

We received the SP email about the change over on 07/12/20 and sent the requested details immediately.  We've heard nothing since from SP. 

Our direct debit to YE went out again on the 15/12/20 giving a credit balance of £200.  Reading other threads about the poor service from SP, we have no intention of remaining with them and will switch away asap.  There is conflicting advice going around as to whether to cancel DD's or to leave them in place.  Given that our contract was with YE and this company is now defunct, we've cancelled the DD as we have enough credit to cover the energy usage since the takeover - even at SP's inflated prices - and there seems to be issues with slow repayments for many customers.  We do not want to continue building up a large credit with no idea when this will be paid back.

SP recommend not to switch away until our account is set up with them, to avoid conflicts/delays but (I believe) we will then have to wait 28 days before we can switch?  Is this so? 

Also, we want to use MSE's automatic switching service in future but are unsure about when to apply.  We are now free of contract (as our supplier no longer exists), we will not be subject to exit penalties from SP (as per their guarantee to YE customers), we will be in credit to cover outstanding costs (unless this drags on for weeks - a distinct possibility) but when would be the best time to join the auto service?  Do we wait until SP confirm our account has been set up or join now and run the risk of the new supplier not being able to action the switch?

Any advice on these points would be most welcome!

Happy New Year to one and all.

Rich

Gerry1

Forget using Autoswitch, Look After My Bills, Bill Buddy and suchlike, you'll only get what's best for the website rather than what's best for you.  They don't do anything that you can't do better yourself.

Just submit your annual kWh usage (derived from actual meter readings, never estimates or projections) to Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?', remembering that separate suppliers are often cheaper.  You can see customer service reviews at Citizens Advice and in the relevant "Add your feedback on..." threads on this forum.

Don't delay, do it today !  What's the worst that can happen?

sheilaok

just spoken to Scottish energy via their app, advisor in India. I was on Green Flamborough fixed tariff to July 2021. I was shocked to get the tariff they have transferred me to and probably all other account holders .I was paying gas 2.607 kwh, standing charge 8.225/day now 2.89kwh and s/c 20.33,
electric ditto was 12.973kwh s/c 18.100/day now 15.858kwh and s/c 20.33 
talk about rip off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Martin sort them out.

[Deleted User]

sheilaok said:

Come on Martin sort them out.

How exactly? 

A.Muse

Why did the regulator allow a company with such a poor service record take over our accounts?

How soon can we escape from SE's clutches? How can we complain?

Hasbeen

Scottish Power?

btr30

sheilaok said:

just spoken to Scottish energy via their app, advisor in India. I was on Green Flamborough fixed tariff to July 2021. I was shocked to get the tariff they have transferred me to and probably all other account holders .I was paying gas 2.607 kwh, standing charge 8.225/day now 2.89kwh and s/c 20.33,
electric ditto was 12.973kwh s/c 18.100/day now 15.858kwh and s/c 20.33 
talk about rip off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Martin sort them out.

But that is why your previous supplier went out of business, offering tariffs that were not sustainable.
if you are not happy with your new provider or tariff, presumably you are free to choose another?

mislet

I spoke to Scottish Power today and said I still hadn't received a login so that I could access my account.  They sorted this immediately but said the "Welcome Pack' has been delayed.  
Their Energy Exclusive tariffs are as follows (these are including VAT):  Gas 2.767p per kWh, Stg Chg 23.331p per day.  Electricity 15.779p per kWh, Std Chg 20.769p per day.
So annual usage of, say, 12500kWh gas + 2000kWh Elec works out at £822.  This is higher than YE which would have been £771.  However it is competitive with today's best deal, E-ON 12 month fixed at £793 and the same as EDF or Brit Gas best buys.  
So I am staying with SP at least until my account is fully established and the transfer process from YP is completed.  I can then switch at any time without penalty.  Switching before then might cause admin problems.
Good luck.

Rich_J

mislet said:

I spoke to Scottish Power today and said I still hadn't received a login so that I could access my account.  They sorted this immediately but said the "Welcome Pack' has been delayed.  
Their Energy Exclusive tariffs are as follows (these are including VAT):  Gas 2.767p per kWh, Stg Chg 23.331p per day.  Electricity 15.779p per kWh, Std Chg 20.769p per day.
So annual usage of, say, 12500kWh gas + 2000kWh Elec works out at £822.  This is higher than YE which would have been £771.  However it is competitive with today's best deal, E-ON 12 month fixed at £793 and the same as EDF or Brit Gas best buys.  
So I am staying with SP at least until my account is fully established and the transfer process from YP is completed.  I can then switch at any time without penalty.  Switching before then might cause admin problems.
Good luck.

Thank you!  An answer to one of my original points - much appreciated......!  I've been a 'switcher' for years after seeing Martin's original TV broadcast on how and why but have never before had a supplier go 'belly up' on me.  I'll follow your lead and contact SP and take it from there. Thanks again,

Rich

Rich_J

Update

I contacted SP and was told my account set up was 'imminent' - well it happened today, 22 days later..........!  I have an account number but there is still no sign of my credit that I built up with YE so I'm not prepared to wait any longer to switch.  I've decided to give MSE's Autoswitch a chance and see what happens in the future.  I decided on Octopus this time as they have good reviews and are £20 per month cheaper than the 'best' deal that SP can offer.  Hopefully my credit will surface sometime soon?

Thanks to all who replied.

Keep safe

Rich

milgo

"I've decided to give MSE's Autoswitch a chance"

Don't do it!  If you do there's a very good chance that you'll be posting here again in the future asking for help to unravel a switch that has been made for you that you are not happy with!

There is nothing that these "auto switching" companys can do for you that you cannot do for yourself and do it much better than them.