"Scottish Power trying to increase my monthly Direct Debit"

tobykim

Yes I'm going to see how it works out for the next 3 months, paying a bit more than I'd like but I'd hate to be in arrears and have a huge bill waiting for me at the end of the complete year

Tra77

Did this to me also (I too was and always am in credit). The said it's so their customers can build up credit in the summer months (using less gas/electric) for the winter bills (using more). Having argued the case (I personally would rather have the money sitting in my account earning credit interest rather than in theirs and earning for them), they told me the were unable to reduce the new monthly payments manually and would review in 3 months (probably when they've increased their prices yet again!), I told them to take me off monthly direct debit and send me a bill when due.

I will continue to 'put aside' the monthly amount so I'm not faced with a huge bill/pay out when the time comes and 'put to' the o/s difference, if any.

I don't think you save a great deal anyway by monthly dd.

However, I personally feel now's the time for me to check out other service providers and their rates.

neil9313

Tra77 wrote: »

Did this to me also (I too was and always am in credit). The said it's so their customers can build up credit in the summer months (using less gas/electric) for the winter bills (using more). Having argued the case (I personally would rather have the money sitting in my account earning credit interest rather than in theirs and earning for them), they told me the were unable to reduce the new monthly payments manually and would review in 3 months (probably when they've increased their prices yet again!), I told them to take me off monthly direct debit and send me a bill when due.

I will continue to 'put aside' the monthly amount so I'm not faced with a huge bill/pay out when the time comes and 'put to' the o/s difference, if any.

I don't think you save a great deal anyway by monthly dd.

However, I personally feel now's the time for me to check out other service providers and their rates.

The fact is, you will pay more if you dont do a dd monthly and have the acct on line its a no- brainer!

MarkyMarkD

It will cost you a lot more not paying by monthly DD. The money you "save" by having a higher bank balance is trivial compared to the monthly DD savings.

Tra77

oops - better check the rates out then sharpish hadn't I! - I was just so annoyed that they were (yet again) increasing my payments when I was (as always) in credit and using the same old line 'so you can build up (more) credit for the winter months'.

Do all the gas & electric providers do this on a regular basis or just sp???

MarkyMarkD

A lot of them do it, but not as frequently as SP seem to. I have never had a supplier before who have reviewed DD amounts each quarter.

tobykim

I decided to put my readings in once a month instead of quarterly to see how it goes now that they increased my DD, I was paying £72 a month and they have increased it to £98.50 and although I know that these are the lightest months of the year in terms of usage I thought I'd give it a try so I can see where I'm up to in terms of credit for the winter months.
I did explain when I phoned about the increase in the DD that both my son and daughter had moved out so there is now only my hubby and I left so usage would be a lot less, anyway I read the meter put in the readings and my bill for gas is £3.91 and electricity £30.56 giving me a total of £34.47, so I'm over £60 in credit already this month

RainbowChild_2

MIne has gone up from £36 per month to £120 :eek: I will be ringing them later!

tobykim

I will be ringing them later

Can you let me know how you get on, I did phone when they put it up but they were adamant that they wouldn't change it, that's why I decided to read the meters every month instead of quarterly

renegade

Irvine
I too had this problem with SP, time and time again and they are not at all co-operative in their dealings with the public.
The last straw came for me when they wanted to increase my D.D. payments by 100%, I told them No I am not doing that I will settle any outstanding debt on receipt of my annual bill.
They have a real cheek this company, they want you pay extra every month, think of the interest they are getting.
I have now changed and would not go back to them if they were the last suppliers in the world !