Confused by changed final meter reading changes by other parties.

keiran

I switched from Octopus to Igloo on 11Aug.
I gave my final meter readings to both companies on 11 Aug, when my fixed term with Octopus came to an end.

I've now got my final bill from Octopus, which gives closing meter readings LOWER than the actual ones I'd supplied.
It's 135 units LESS than actually used.
This is 3% of my annual usage.
I've always given regular meter readings - Monthly on the same day of the month over the last year to Octopus. 
And so they should notice that the bill they issued for the last month (which actually is for a longer period of 37 days ) is clearly significantly less than for previous months with 30 or 31 days 

So these are 135 units for which I will be charged the higher rate by Igloo compared to the lower rate I was on with a fixed deal with Octopus (and during which time I did actually use that energy)

My Igloo account shows the figures DC after the new "readings" 
And so I imagine the intermediate party has intervened to set this up.

Can anyone explain why this has happened?
As can be judged from above, I'm meticulous in my dealings and so I'm at a complete loss to see how other parties have interfered in this case to make the matter much more INaccurate instead of better

Neil_Jones

Application to switch on the 11th doesn't mean it will happen on the 11th, it takes up to six weeks.  Or do you mean the switch happened on August 11th and you actually started it in July?

The third party validation process is explained here:

https://help.bulb.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360018799871-How-do-meter-validation-companies-approve-my-meter-readings-

You didn't need to give Octopus any readings, just an opening one to Igloo as and when they requested one.  Your providing one on your final day with them clouds the issue.  They've probably used the one you gave in July.  Is that one 135kWh down on the one you gave on August 11?  If so that's your answer.

[Deleted User]

This link explains what happens to your meter readings on switch:

https://octopus.energy/blog/secret-life-opening-meter-reading/

The gaining supplier is reasonable for the switching process and its Data Collector will have validated your meter readings. If both suppliers have used the same readings to open and close your accounts, then there is nothing formal that you can do. The difference has to exceed 250kWhs before a dispute can be raised. 

To be clear, you will only pay the daily standing charge until your meter index passes the opening reading so the truth cost to you is only the difference in the two unit costs times 135, NOT the cost of 135kWhs. 

I had a situation like this some years ago. The full cost of the actual units was over £70; however, the actual cost when unit prices were compared was £2.34! 

PS. There is no need to give the old supplier a meter reading when you switch suppliers.

bristolleedsfan

When I did same Electricity switch, ultra low usage, had submitted more than regular meter readings to Octopus for 2 years, had meter changed in March, ended up paying effectively extra 2 weeks to Octopus at higher rate than should have been paid to Igloo

macman

As pointed out above, the cost difference across 135 units is unlikely to be more than a couple of pounds extra. Have you quantified your actual loss and is it worth pursuing?

keiran

Igloo started supplying me on 11 Aug.
I arranged the switch earlier to coincide with that date when my Octopus fixed tariff was ending.

I've quantified my loss now as £4.65 - Not a lot but unfair to a customer who was diligent in providing monthly readings on the same day.

But yet  it's also nearly a fiver - MSErs will do a lot to gain an extra fiver!!

The explanations about how they change the meter readings is gobbledegook , I'm afraid and run a poor second to accepting the proper readings of a meticulous customer.

If the companies are so paranoid about the starting meter readings, they could just ask them for a photo of the meter readings.

Reed_Richards

keiran said:

If the companies are so paranoid about the starting meter readings, they could just ask them for a photo of the meter readings.

It wouldn't help.  Photo or no photo your new supplier is obliged to submit your readings to an independent adjudicator who may adjust them.  Both your new and old suppliers are then obliged to use that same potentially adjusted reading.  You may be a meticulous customer but somebody else might be telling porkies.  

keiran

Well I think and hope that photos will lead to the end of an unnecessary middle layer of expense (which we all undoubtedly pay for)

And who vets the  efficiency and robustness of the middle party who make up figures?
In this case, they are clearly wrong as any examination of my monthly statements  would show 

[Deleted User]

keiran said:

Igloo started supplying me on 11 Aug.
I arranged the switch earlier to coincide with that date when my Octopus fixed tariff was ending.

I've quantified my loss now as £4.65 - Not a lot but unfair to a customer who was diligent in providing monthly readings on the same day.

But yet  it's also nearly a fiver - MSErs will do a lot to gain an extra fiver!!

The explanations about how they change the meter readings is gobbledegook , I'm afraid and run a poor second to accepting the proper readings of a meticulous customer.

If the companies are so paranoid about the starting meter readings, they could just ask them for a photo of the meter readings.

Talk to Igloo. They may agree to credit you the £4.65. The reason why readings are audited is because many people do not bother to provide readings; some people misread their meters, and some provide a high/low reading to save a few £s.

The usual reason why switch readings get changed is because the consumer has not been providing regular meter readings. 

I should add that data collection has been around for over 70 years. The data collectors maintain databases showing historical usage data for your property. They also provide metering services.

PS Have you read the blog that I posted? The validation process is approved by Ofgem.

bristolleedsfan

[Deleted User] said:

keiran said:

Igloo started supplying me on 11 Aug.
I arranged the switch earlier to coincide with that date when my Octopus fixed tariff was ending.

I've quantified my loss now as £4.65 - Not a lot but unfair to a customer who was diligent in providing monthly readings on the same day.

But yet  it's also nearly a fiver - MSErs will do a lot to gain an extra fiver!!

The explanations about how they change the meter readings is gobbledegook , I'm afraid and run a poor second to accepting the proper readings of a meticulous customer.

If the companies are so paranoid about the starting meter readings, they could just ask them for a photo of the meter readings.

The usual reason why switch readings get changed is because the consumer has not been providing regular meter readings. 

Smart Meter readings do not get changed by data collector following switches ????????

[Deleted User]

bristolleedsfan said:

[Deleted User] said:

keiran said:

Igloo started supplying me on 11 Aug.
I arranged the switch earlier to coincide with that date when my Octopus fixed tariff was ending.

I've quantified my loss now as £4.65 - Not a lot but unfair to a customer who was diligent in providing monthly readings on the same day.

But yet  it's also nearly a fiver - MSErs will do a lot to gain an extra fiver!!

The explanations about how they change the meter readings is gobbledegook , I'm afraid and run a poor second to accepting the proper readings of a meticulous customer.

If the companies are so paranoid about the starting meter readings, they could just ask them for a photo of the meter readings.

The usual reason why switch readings get changed is because the consumer has not been providing regular meter readings. 

Smart Meter readings do not get changed by data collector following switches ????????

As I understand it, smart meter readings still are subject to validation as not everybody has a smart meter and a large number of meters still do not transmit data. Hopefully, there will come a point when validation will not be necessary.