Bulb energy ignoring Ombudsman 1 February at 8:05PM in Energy 7 replies 295 views

Galileo_Figaro

We had our 2 rate electricity meter changed in January 2022 and Bulb got the readings mixed up (transposed). I got an ombudsman decision in September that they had to correct the bill but Bulb have ignored it. It went to the ombudsman's remedy resolution team (if that's what they're called) a few months ago but Bulb have continued to just ignore it. I've had a complaint in with Bulb since the spring but they don't take any action. When I phone they just say they'll escalate it, and still nothing happens. 

Bulb have overcharged us and so have no incentive to remedy the situation. Is there anything I can do to take this further? It's taken up so much time and energy over the past year, and I haven't had an accurate bill since then. 

Dolor

The Energy Ombudsman does not have statutory powers to enforce its Decisions. All you can do is take the supplier to The Small Claims Court. You can use The Energy Ombudsman’s Decision in support of your claim.

macman

Have you pursued this since the migration to Octopus? You may find that the new ownership will break the logjam.

Galileo_Figaro

macman said:

Have you pursued this since the migration to Octopus? You may find that the new ownership will break the logjam.

I have tried, but so far Bulb still seem to exist embedded in Octopus, so in practice there's still the same process of Octopus making requests to the Bulb team and Bulb not responding. Hopefully Bulb will disappear in the end and that might finally end the issue! 

MWT

macman said:

Have you pursued this since the migration to Octopus? You may find that the new ownership will break the logjam.

As yet the migration has not happened, until it does, the accounts are being managed by the same team as before, but now paid by Octopus.

macman

MWT said:

macman said:

Have you pursued this since the migration to Octopus? You may find that the new ownership will break the logjam.

As yet the migration has not happened, until it does, the accounts are being managed by the same team as before, but now paid by Octopus.

Thanks, I understand that they have only migrated 20,000 customers so far, so it could be a while. 

Petriix

Have you actually paid the bill? If you are apparently in debt to them then it might be easier to ignore the demands for payment and sort it out with Octopus later. Ultimately the Ombudsman's decision would be quite favourable in court, should it get that far.

Galileo_Figaro

Petriix said:

Have you actually paid the bill? If you are apparently in debt to them then it might be easier to ignore the demands for payment and sort it out with Octopus later. Ultimately the Ombudsman's decision would be quite favourable in court, should it get that far.

Partially - enough that they owe me a good few hundred, but there's an outstanding £70 they're chasing me for. That's helpful to know about court, I don't suppose you know if it's standard procedure to take me to court for none-payment of a small amount,  saving me the court fees? I've had a bad experience with the small claims court before so I'm a bit wary of paying court fees if they can't/don't enforce their ruling.