Are suppliers required to give notice of price increases ?

gupsta

Hi

Had a letter from ebico today (21st of april) titled "keeping you informed about energy prices" , In the first paragraph it says "....and I have to inform you that the new, increased, prices will come into effect from 1st April 2008"

Now I know ebico is great and infinitely better than the competition, but I can't help but feel somewhat annoyed with the letter. The 'tense' used in the letter is clearly wrong due them not informing us all until after SSE increased the price. In my case due to the central heating been out of action for the past 5 weeks i've kind of been giving the electric heater a hard time, unaware of this back dated price increase. I think in hindsight i would have been more economical with the juice had i known about the increase.

Had a quick flick through the terms on ebico's website but didn't see anything specifically requiring them to give me notice of a price increase. Its just I always thought company's in general had to give pior notice of a change in price

Should i write to ebico requesting that I be given 30 days notice from receipt of the letter before the prices come into effect which would make it about the 21st May ? What sort of reply do you think I would get?

mute_posting

They have 65 days (I think) from when they change the price, then you have 14 days to notify them of your intention to switch and the switch must happen in "a reasonable" time from what others have said. I believe if that happens you are charged the old rate until transfer completes.

HTH

MP

Premier_2

As stated at the bottom of the reverse side of the letter (simply dated April 2008) notifying you of the price increase:

Your rights with regards to this notice

You have a right to terminate your contract if within 10 working days of receiving this notice, you inform us you wish to exercise that right. Your final bill will be calculated at the old price providing we receive notice of your transfer to a new supplier within 15 working days from the date you notify us that you wish to exercise that right.

From their terms and conditions: ( http://www.ebico.co.uk/html/c_terms.php )

4.16 We may vary the above charges at any time subject to clause 9 (variations).

and

9. Variation

We can vary the terms and conditions for the supply of Energy (including price) in this Agreement. If we vary the terms or conditions to your significant disadvantage, we’ll publicise the variation in accordance with our Energy supply licence(s).

UtilityMan_3

Yep and that is through the media. TV, press,or radio, so don't dare go on holiday abroad!