End of contract refund.

fluffy_kittens47

Hello,

Can someone explain in detail why suppliers are allowed 6 whole weeks to generate a final bill, and are then allowed ANOTHER 10 days to issue a refund? So thats actually 7 weeks and 3 days the old supplier could hold your money, when the new supplier you've just moved to wants a direct debit payment UPFRONT. Must be nice to be rich enough to not care.

I've searched the web, and all i've been able to find is sheer nonsense.

This, Yet a supplier can, within 3 days, Switch my supply to them, Process my details, Generate a forecast, Set up a direct debit, Send me a contract…..yeah, no problems there m8..no delays when the money is coming in!

By the way, i'm not expecting an answer.

TroubledTarts

That's just the price of doing business, blame the legislation don't hate the game.

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6670237/end-of-contract-refund

The losing supplier is not in control of the process for agreeing the final meter reading, that happens though the data collector for the gaining supplier so they need to wait for that to occur first.

The data collector can elect to use a different meter reading than the one you will have supplied to the gaining supplier so they can't just use the smart meter reading or the reading you have taken.

The 6 weeks limit has penalties attached so it does have to allow time for the process to complete.

The real answer to your question though is make sure you do not build up a large balance on your account and if you do then request a refund before you switch. Alternatively change to monthly variable direct debit for billing if your old supplier allows that…

Reed_Richards

This whole idea of the data collector using a different reading to the one supplied seems to predate the use of smart meters. If the new supplier can get a smart meter reading on the day, surely that should be that, with no need nor purpose for further intervention.

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015656#Comment_82015656

You would think, wouldn't you, but no, they can still decide to use something different.

The way the security certificates work it still allows both losing and gaining supplier to access the register readings for the day of switching so they wouldn't even need to talk to each other but is seems we are stuck with the process for now.

Chrysalis

What is interesting is EON have told me in my last conversation with them, they still dont have a start reading which I guess makes sense with all the chaos, yet there is a mater reading that has been used by Octopus for a final bill (probably estimated like they did when I migrated to TE), so it will be interesting to see if and when EON get their act together, the numbers match up.

In terms of the OP's question Ofgem in my view is a captured regulator.

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82016293#Comment_82016293

If you have switched to E.ON I assume you gave then a meter reading so it is up to them to get that validated by their data collector and returned to Octopus.

Octopus will have raised a bill based on what they can see to avoid penalties for late billing, but that bill can be adjusted when E.ON eventually tell them the reading they will use…

Chrysalis

I didnt do it on the day because the one I did with TE was ignored, however as soon as I got the first email indicating meter read issues, and they asked for photo of meter, I decided to provide one, and then I also removed all of the usage Bright had recorded since midnight of the move date to give them a plausible reading to use. (they were given both the actual reading done a few days after, and the one I removed usage recorded by Bright).

However as far as I know EON wont be using it, as I have been told they trying to get the figure.

fluffy_kittens47

If I was on a smart meter, I fail to see why generating a bill should take more than 30 seconds, as readings would be uploaded to a central database, available to all suppliers, and the whole process should be automated.

As i'm not, I fail to see why they should argue the toss (for more than 30 seconds), unless one of them is willing to pay for someone to come out and read my meter, and establish a reading beyond any reasonable doubt.

How many energy suppliers does it take to change a light bulb……

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82018033#Comment_82018033

The meter readings are not uploaded to a central database though, they are made available at the meter for authorised parties to retrieve.

There are also complexities caused by HH billed tariffs and the switching process requires the whole thing to be driven by the gaining supplier, so as implemented now it cannot be fully automated.

debitcardmayhem

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82018033#Comment_82018033

How long does it take for you to pay them from the time use the energy?