GreenEnergy, Neon energy, British Gas and EDF

Lungman66

Hi all
Thought I’d post my experience.....
i switched using switchcraft in Autumn 2020 to Neon Energy from BG. This is where my problems started! Neon increased my bills and never responded to my emails, instant chats and letters. Luckily I wasn’t in a contract so switched again to Green energy. Midway through the switch this supplier closed. In April 6 months after leaving BG, nearly £400 was debited by them from my non closed DD. Lots of emails and thankfully pictures of meter readings BG identified that the opening and closing readings provided by Neon, didn’t match the ones I sent and refunded me. To be fair, BG were great once they took my complaint on. Apparently, they rely on the energy companies information, not what you send. Now, I’m still waiting to be taken over by EDF, paying Green Energy (more than I should be) and regularly being billed by Neon - which I’m not paying! What a nightmare It’s been since leaving BG 9 months ago. At least I have photographic records of meter readings! As a caution - always close DD’s once services are cancelled.

Gerry1

TL;DR: Autoswitching Bad, DIY Good.

Welcome to the forum.  Unfortunately, this story illustrates the problems that can arise when you let someone else look after your suppliers rather than doing and understanding it all yourself.

Autoswitching isn't a good idea.  You're often likely to get the deal that's best for the company (an expensive supplier that pays them commission), not what's best for you, and you won't have a full understanding if you take your eye off the ball.

Not having a go at you, but you don't even know the names of the energy companies - there's no Neon Energy company, and green has not closed, it was Green Network Energy.  Also, you shouldn't send the closing reading to the old company, only to the new company (as their opening read).

mandyf27

Hello I only recently joined the forum so apologies if this has already been asked. I was a GNE customer, sent a "final bill" in Jan 2021 which when i looked more closely seems to be a duplicate of my November 2020 bill; Have had numerous chats etc with EDF - I am in debit to EDF but to be honest May 2021 was the first month EDF took a payment. What has happened to the payments I have been making to GNE all this time and how do I get a final bill from them as their APP and Website are no longer operational I can't even look at my GNE account. Any advice appreciated please

Gerry1

@mandyf27 Welcome to the forum.

However, it's better to start your own thread, otherwise it gets very messy trying to untangle the answers when there are queries from several different people.

Bacman

Gerry1 said:

Not having a go at you, but you don't even know the names of the energy companies - there's no Neon Energy company, and green has not closed, it was Green Network Energy.  Also, you shouldn't send the closing reading to the old company, only to the new company (as their opening read).

Absolutely. This thread title should be corrected Lungman66 please as it is currently misleading and incorrect.

Title should be amended to "Green Network Energy, Neon Reef, British Gas and EDF" or better still "Reasons not to use an autoswitch service" which is more apt.

Given how the electricity tariffs change a lot and quickly the decision about whom to use and when should be you not via some automatic service which, as you've demonstrated, isn't a good idea.

Lungman66

You are quite right! My apologies to all- it is Green Network Energy and Neo Energy, the other info was correct and was a cautionary post. I agree, with your comments though - be wary of switching sites. If using, due diligence should be employed (as I should have employed when posting). And, never leave closed DD’s sitting in your bank account- always delete. Just out of curiosity, how do you amend the title?

Gerry1

Lungman66 said:

Just out of curiosity, how do you amend the title?

You click on the cogwheel on the right on the teal banner, but IIRC you have to have clocked up about 10 posts and/or have been a forumite for a while.  The mods may do it for you.

niktheguru

looks like you've learned the hard way why autoswitching is bad news! Hope you get everything sorted.

jaybe7

I am disgusted in the way edf have treated our neighbour, an old man, in his 70s, recently bereaved, his wife dying of covid.edf have been overcharging him for years, and expect him to pay 400 pounds a month, he has just received a threatening letter from them, was so upset,  as his only income is his state pension and rent allowance, and he has the worry of finding money for his wife's gravestone.he has written to them and explained the situation, I contacted citizens advice who said the debt should be wiped off in the circumstances,  and I have contacted your resolver team, to try and get this sorted.he is not a well man, and this added stress is not helping him.

JJ_Egan

What has this got to do with autoswitching ??

£400 pm is a lot and reads like debts .

Hasbeen

jaybe7 said:

I am disgusted in the way edf have treated our neighbour, an old man, in his 70s, recently bereaved, his wife dying of covid.edf have been overcharging him for years, and expect him to pay 400 pounds a month, he has just received a threatening letter from them, was so upset,  as his only income is his state pension and rent allowance, and he has the worry of finding money for his wife's gravestone.he has written to them and explained the situation, I contacted citizens advice who said the debt should be wiped off in the circumstances,  and I have contacted your resolver team, to try and get this sorted.he is not a well man, and this added stress is not helping him.

Perhaps starting yor own dedicated thread rather than hijacking an others will get you the answers you seek