NPower gas 'sculpting'

DirectDebacle

It would probably best for you if the Ombudsman takes your case. I think this may depend on the way you put the problem to them. If you explain it as a manipulation of the terms and conditions and their fluid definition of a year then the Ombudsman will see it as a 'business' issue and refuse to take it. Unless their remit has changed that was their stance on the 'sculpting' issue. They will almost certainly identify it from that description as the billing irregularity that Ofgem are currently investigating and cite that as another reason for them not to take your case.

If you couch it in terms that you have been correctly charged for the total amount of gas on your bill (if indeed you have) and they have merely made a mistake in calculating the amount of Primary Block units, then they may see it purely as a straightforward case and take it on. At some point you will need accurate figures. The Primary block is 4572 per annum. Post #692 tells you how to calculate an npower bill. If you haven't already done an accurate calculation you should do one before contacting the Ombudsman. They will want figures. If you continue to dispute the bill you will need to do this sooner or later anyway.

meggsy

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Good to hear from you again colonel. Please don't apologise. It was you that started this thread and got the ball rolling. So well done to you. Began in March and on the way to 32000 hits. Around 4000 hits a month colonel, you did a good thing.

As for others picking up on it, I know what you mean. Most surprising is MSE himself. He could have pushed this into the limelight. I never received a response from him or his assistants. They haven't even flagged up this minor success. Too many 2 for 1 Pizzas to shift I suppose.

Lets hope the MP does what he stated in the paper. If I receive a response to my email I will let the thread know.

Perhaps others would consider similar emails to him [EMAIL="steve@stevewebb.org.uk"]steve@stevewebb.org.uk[/EMAIL]

Have to say I am surprised as well DD, I would have thought that having a member of this site pursue a case successfully that Martin would be pleased to include it in the weekly newsletter ! I've read it twice and cannot find a reference to it at all, even the MSE OP hasn't been updated since May ! So what is going on :money:

npower-victim_3

npower-victim wrote: »

I'm not as sure as you appear to be that the "full and final" payment offer is watertight. But let's not get distracted by that.

Here's a cite for that, which I stumbled over earlier today when looking for something else: http://www.andersonsolicitors.com/Downloads/IRvFry.pdf

DirectDebacle

.....even the MSE OP hasn't been updated since May ! So what is going on.

Not a lot, apparently.

Here's a cite for that, which I stumbled over earlier today when looking for something else:

Interesting case. I'll come back to why it's still worth a go.

If the Ombudsman won't take your case then you are in the position that most have found themselves, dealing with npower on your own.
In that situation I would start with the 'full and final settlement' tactic. For all you know they may well accept your proposal. There are reasons why they may find this palatable. No gushingly apologetic letters of poor customer service or goodwill payments, court etc.

If they refuse then you are in no worse a position. You will still no doubt refuse to pay and presumably defend any County Court claim. As happened in my case, it is unlikely they will go this far.

The case you stumbled on involved the I.R. I cannot think of a worse adversary. With the might of Govt and the full weight of loaded legislation behind them they pursue individuals to the four corners of the earth and back for sums as much as a fiver or even more! I doubt that even npower are this ruthless. npowers solicitors do not seem the brightest buttons on the blazer either. They may be unaware of the case you highlighted.

meggsy

Two links for you DD ...

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk:80/news/MP-s-concern-fuel-bills/article-428161-detail/article.html

http://www.stevewebb.org.uk/

Cardew

meggsy wrote: »

Two links for you DD ...

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk:80/news/MP-s-concern-fuel-bills/article-428161-detail/article.html

DD
It really comes to something when your case dislodges the "Sex adviser sacked in gay row" case from the headlines.;)

flashnazia

Thinking of switching to NPower as British Gas click 5 has gone up.

I can save £120 a year according to comparison sites but not if they still operate this 'sculpting' fiddle as I don't intend to stay for a whole year?

So, are they still doing it?

Thanks

DirectDebacle

flashnazia wrote: »

Thinking of switching to NPower as British Gas click 5 has gone up.

I can save £120 a year according to comparison sites but not if they still operate this 'sculpting' fiddle as I don't intend to stay for a whole year?

So, are they still doing it?

Thanks

They are still 'sculpting', known as seasonal weighting which charges more Primary Block Units during the winter than the summer but should total no more than 4572 over a year. This in itself does not cause overcharging. If you switch now you will pay a disproportionate amount of these Primary Block units, particularly if you are with them for less than a year. The amounts you pay each month are on their website and shown on previous posts. Not only will you pay for more units at the higher rate but also npower have one of the highest prices for their Primary Block rate. My supplier charges 3.808p high rate, npower are over 8p for my area. The time to start switch to npower is April aiming for completing by May when the Primary Block is at its' lowest for the next 6 months. Do your sums again the saving (if any) will not be £120.00.

Cardew

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Do your sums again the saving (if any) will not be £120.00.

That saving probably includes the £100 discount for dual fuel you get after a full year???

There is another thread running at the moment with someone claiming that NPower gas is the cheapest.

I hate to admit it but they do seem to be quite competitive if you are a high user of gas. As you say their Tier 1 rates are very high - and for 4,572 units, but Tier 2 is pretty low - 2.612p for me.

As you say if you are a 'serial switcher' it would make sense to join NPower for the summer and leave for the winter. If enough people did that it might make them re-think their sculpting.

DirectDebacle

Cardew wrote: »

DD
It really comes to something when your case dislodges the "Sex adviser sacked in gay row" case from the headlines.;)

That was just a sensationalist headline. The story was about a Relate counsellor whose said his strong Christian beliefs prevented him from advising same sex couples. Relate sacked him, no doubt in a caring sort of way, so he's taking them to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal.

My story of one mans' spirited fight, on behalf of thousands of millions of downtrodden customers, with a souless industrial juggernaut was inspiring, stirring and moving. It gives others hope in these bleak times.

I fully expect to be nominated for a CMG in the New Years Honours. Not the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. It will be a special one called Calculate My Gas. I shall wear it alongside my Tufty Club badge with pride.