So Energy - Switch Objection - just a FYI for those considering this supplier

Jilliganito

Hi all, newbie here, rarely compelled to write on Forums but I've saved so much time and money using this website, thought I'd contribute

I've been with So Energy for 2 years, switched over to them as best deal (to my criteria) on MSE and last year remained competitive enough to not switch.

This year, I'm moving to a new supplier.  Just received an email from So saying that they've raised an objection to the switch!!  So I called them up.

It appears that So Energy "policy" is that they will object to a switch if you owe over £100.  I currently "owe" £125.  So I've had to pay them £30 over the phone to bring that down below £100 so that they will lift their objection.

I've never had this before and I think it's pretty lame.  No point arguing with a lovely lady on the phone, I just want to move suppliers so I paid up, but wanted to post here as a 'buyer beware' as if cashflow tight, that's a bit of a ransom that holds you trapped with them... 

Their email says:

"There are a number of reasons a supplier may object to a switch. The main reasons include a large outstanding balance on the account, or any outstanding balance without contact details, for example if you've recently moved into the property."

...in energy terms, I'm not sure owing £100 at the end of winter/spring is exactly a "large outstanding balance".  Maybe I'm naive but owing less than your monthly direct debit of £160+ hardly seems like a bad ratio?  Anyway, just FYI y'all.

Neil_Jones

Its not a ransom by any stretch of the imagination.  You owe them money, they're entitled to object.  You're still going to be paying the £95 balance anyway somewhere down the line.  If your monthly direct debit matched your annual bills/usage in the first place and you fed them regular meter readings this sort of situation wouldn't occur.

Bear in mind it has been a colder spring than normal with the occasional heatwave and so you will have used more gas/electricity than you might have expected - that and the whole stay at/work from home thing.

gazzabiscuit

As mentioned on the CAB website:

It's not the amount of debt, its how long its owing that will allow a supplier to block a switch. Under 28 days then you can switch, over and the old supplier can block it.