any pitfalls in changing energy company at the moment?

leafy211

My energy provider, Eon-Next is stressing me out so much with their blatant lies (in writing foolishly) and their complete incompetence, that Im desperate to change provider.  But wondering, if any detrimental outcomes likely at the moment (thinking government grants, my SEG application with Eon-Next which was applied for in June and Ive still heard nothing!, etc etc)?  I know i wont find a cheap tariff at the moment, but I cant bear to give this cowboys my money any longer than necessary. 

elsien

Finding one that will accept you onto their SVR is the main problem. Most of them are saying no to new customers. So then you're down to looking at fixed tariffs and whether there are any being offered to new customers that make financial sense in your specific circumstances given that all the more reasonable (although still extortionate) ones are long gone. 

Kakes88

I moved into a new property recently that has prepay for both gas and electric. The electric is supplied by e.on next who have been a nightmare to deal with.

I’ve been trying to get them to change to a credit meter since the end of June, but their excuse for not being able to do so is due to not being able to credit check at this time and don't know when that will change - how is that even possible? Isn’t that just part of the basics? 

Like you, I was sick of dealing with them so I switched to credit with Octopus yesterday very easily.  It won’t necessarily save me money, but hopefully it will save my sanity. 

macman

Unlikely anyone will take you at present unless you want to gamble with an expensive fix. 
Remember, they are making just 2% or less from you at present on SVT, so that may ease the pain a bit.

leafy211

thanks Macman.  I take from that its more the reluctance of another company to take me on, and that i wouldnt lose out in any other way with grants etc (so long as the unit charges are not dissimilar).  Its either ombudsman or leave with Eon-Next, and I dont think i have the energy to collate the never-ending list of failures from this mickey mouse lot, to present to the Ombudsman, so leaving seems like my only option. 

leafy211

Kakes88 said:

I moved into a new property recently that has prepay for both gas and electric. The electric is supplied by e.on next who have been a nightmare to deal with.

I’ve been trying to get them to change to a credit meter since the end of June, but their excuse for not being able to do so is due to not being able to credit check at this time and don't know when that will change - how is that even possible? Isn’t that just part of the basics? 

Like you, I was sick of dealing with them so I switched to credit with Octopus yesterday very easily.  It won’t necessarily save me money, but hopefully it will save my sanity. 

I had that too (though its not even one of the issues that have driven me over the edge!). As a last resort, i wrote to the CEO and lo and behold my meter was (remotely) changed to standard credit meter.  It transpired that in fact they didnt have to change the meter or visit or anything to change it from a prepayment to a credit meter.  They simply didnt want to do it!  But boy did i have to fight for that!  And their relentless lies and failures have meant my dealings with Eon-Next have just continued to go downhill from there.  They really should be stopped but i guess if most people are like me and dont go through the thankless effort of reporting to Ombudsman, then carry on with their chronic service.  Ill look into Octopus .. they were top of my  list of potentials to change to.

Kakes88

We did end up going to the Ombudsman but they sided with E.on. My partner did mention to write to the CEO which I didn’t think would work, but I guess I was wrong. Glad you got a positive result. 

I hope you manage to get it all sorted. 

leafy211

Thanks Kakes88.. it was a teeny victory - how ridiculous to think getting changed from a prepayment (from previous homeowners) to a credit tariff would take soooo much time and effort.  Absolutely ridiculous.  And since then its got even worse. The Ombudsman ALWAYS sides with the energy company ... complete waste of time and effort and emotion and trust....   You did the right thing to move from them, thats for sure :-)