NPower gas 'sculpting'

DirectDebacle

Had a disappointing letter from ther SFO today. They do not feel that an allegation I made to them re npower is an appropriate case for them to investigate. They recommended the matter be referred to the Energy Ombudsman. My hope is that sufficient pressure can be brought to bear on Ofgem to re-investigate the matter properly.

HighVoltage

Well after just receiving a high gas bill, I went through all the gas bills that I still had and put them into a spreadsheet. For 2007, I was charged approx 2000 extra over the 4572 primary units. Phoned Npower customer services, explained issue and put on hold while she checked. Was then given some c**p about their gas sculpting and asked to be put through to someone for more information. Advised the second lady about concerns of overcharging and she said that they would look into and get back to me at about 3pm.

Well someone just phoned, we confirmed that last year was correct and the previous year was more than the 4572 units. He's logged a complaint and advised that they will also look into years before 2007.

Lets see what happens.....

DirectDebacle

HighVoltage wrote: »

Lets see what happens.....

Yes lets. Maybe they are becoming more inclined to meet these claims or perhaps its just another delaying tactic. Let us know how you get on and what they have to say.

Good luck.

DirectDebacle

meggsy wrote: »

My information as of yesterday is that Consumer Focus are waiting for a response from npower, and Ofgem response by today, what are the chances do you think ?

My guess is that I don't know, possibly. You can take that as a definite maybe, or not.;)

meggsy

DirectDebacle wrote: »

My guess is that I don't know, possibly. You can take that as a definite maybe, or not.;)

It could possibly be that they have a habit of not paying annual discounts also maybe

See here post 8 - npower have admitted that no discount applied to account for nine years ...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=20169595#post20169595

Another interesting read in The Times today para 4 onwards - Energy reform does not go far enough

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/mon...cle5988266.ece

matiepeeps

Hi everyone,

This is my first post to the boards and I know I'm probably really cheeky in asking for help but I am really confused and, honestly, a little scared.

I received a bill today from npower. Its not specifically addressed to me - just to the occupier. I've never been with Npower and when I moved into my house I rang my gas and electricty supplier from my old house on the day I moved in (1st Nov 2008) and told them the final metre readings at my old house and my new metre readings at my new house.

Ive spoken to npower and they've said they've charged me for the gas from 1st Nov 2008 to 14 December 2008. They said its because of a deemed contract but if I gave metre readings on the day I moved in the supplier I wanted how can they charge me? They said its because it takes a while for the suppliers to swap over. I understand that but surely the metre readings would be backdated?

If anyone can help me out there I would be so grateful. They want £172.47 by the 3rd of April and I'm sure many of you can understand that I just can't afford to pay this!

Thank you in advance

Karyn

DirectDebacle

Hi,
In general terms the information npower have given you is correct. However you need to make some checks. It is not clear to me who at the moment is supplying your gas. Is this bill from npower a final bill ? Have you had confirmation and a start date of the gas supply from your new (your old house) supplier. Is the meter reading you took on arrival at the new property the same as the start reading on the npower bill. Have you had a bill from your new supplier. Does the start reading on that bill tally with the end reading on the npower bill? You need to check this. Also check with your preferred supplier that they initiated the switch from npower, you may still be shown as an npower customer and not one of theirs.

If it is the case that your preferred supplier commenced the switching process on 1/11/08 and it has taken until 14/12/08 to complete then you are liable for the npower bill, as long as it is correct. You can try negotiating with npower to extend the payment time or spread the payments.

When you have this information if you still need advice put a new thread on the gas board. You will receive many and more knowledgeable answers than mine. This thread deals with a particular problem npower customers had and your question is more general and probably applies to many customers having switching problems whoever the supplier.

Hope you get it sorted.

Cardew

matiepeeps wrote: »

Hi everyone,

This is my first post to the boards and I know I'm probably really cheeky in asking for help but I am really confused and, honestly, a little scared.

I received a bill today from npower. Its not specifically addressed to me - just to the occupier. I've never been with Npower and when I moved into my house I rang my gas and electricty supplier from my old house on the day I moved in (1st Nov 2008) and told them the final metre readings at my old house and my new metre readings at my new house.

Ive spoken to npower and they've said they've charged me for the gas from 1st Nov 2008 to 14 December 2008. They said its because of a deemed contract but if I gave metre readings on the day I moved in the supplier I wanted how can they charge me? They said its because it takes a while for the suppliers to swap over. I understand that but surely the metre readings would be backdated?

If anyone can help me out there I would be so grateful. They want £172.47 by the 3rd of April and I'm sure many of you can understand that I just can't afford to pay this!

Thank you in advance

Karyn

Welcome to the forum.

NPower are correct I am afraid.

When you move into a property and use the gas/electricty of the firm supplying that property, you are on a legally binding 'deemed' contract with that firm.

If they didn't have that provision your gas and electricity would be cut off when the old occupant left and it might take weeks to get re-connected. As it takes weeks for the switch to your new supplier to take effect, you have to pay for that period with the old supplier.

They cannot backdate the meter readings, NPower have supplied that energy to you and need to be paid for that energy - they have paid their supplier.

For them to backdate the readings would, in effect, be like getting some groceries from Tesco and paying Asda for those groceries.

The unfortunate thing about getting gas from NPower in winter is that they charge a high price for extra units in winter - called seasonal weighting.

There really is nothing you can do about the situation I am afraid.

matiepeeps

Thank you for everyone who replied. I've contacted my supplier and they have informed me that I am liable to pay this bill. I've checked all the meter readings with them and they all match up. I'm not happy about it but if I have to pay it I will. Bang goes my savings though. Thanks again for all your help.

DirectDebacle

Well Ofgem have sent me hundreds of pages of information in response to the FOI request I made. Will take me days to go through it but the first document is a series of emails between a customer and npower which were copied to Ofgem as evidence. The customer got the usual run around from npower so took them to county court. npower defended and lost. They were ordered to pay the customer back the money AND REFUSED to pay. Customer then obtained a warrant of execution and was ready for the bailiffs to pay npower a visit if they didn't pay up. Outstanding stuff. Customer got the money in the end.

There is loads more from other customers detailing 'sculpting' to Ofgem so they were aware of the main complaint on this thread at the time of their investigation. One email gives Ofgem a link to this thread.

When I work out how to copy and paste a PDF file ( Adobe won't let me do it) I'll put some of it on here. LMAO:rotfl: