I am furious with N Power because last year they tried to Increase my monthly payment, even though I was in credit by around £200. I called them and said I would not make the increased payment, because I was well aware that charging people more than they should is designed to boost their coffers. They admitted they were wrong, apologized and reduced the payments to the amount I had been paying .
I told them that I knew they were ripping people off and said they should make sure they don’t do it again!
This morning I received the new payment, that was expected, and noticed an increase of £ 42 per month, so I worked out what my expected usage would be, and how much I would be paying to them and, including this years credit of £130, my bill next year would be £667 in credit… so I phoned again.:mad2:
I have a good tariff with them, but I am not going to let them have the benefit of taking money that I do not owe to them. A complaint has been reported to their feedback section and I have told them that if this happens again I will move to another supplier. I also mentioned there could only be 2 reasons for this to happen… 1) their staff are unable to work out the correct figure or 2) they are trying to rip off customers by using their money to invest in N Powers accounts.
I believe it is reason 2, as they try this with all D/D customers… so the amount could be millions!
Please check your account with them and make sure they are not trying the same with you, if you pay by direct debit
British Gas have been pretty fair with us IMO they often say we need to put the dd up but one phone call is all it takes to get it reduced back to the correct amount and they’ve never taken more than I’ve agreed to. I’d be furious if they did that.
Only thing bothering me at the moment, is the service contract it’s an annual service they are supposed to do a service each year but we’ve noticed they have 13 or 14 months in their year because when we started it was always due in September, now it got right round to February this year. That to me is a bit of a cheat !
British Gas are as bad as the rest Julie … they have been doing it for years! Of course they can’t increase your direct debit, if you tell them not to, but I had to spend 30 minutes in the phone this morning…because N Power were so busy. Most people who work full time can’t spare that time, on the phone, just to point out that their figures are not
correct!
If they service your heating boiler beware! Every time they came out to mine they said the boiler would soon need to be replaced ( a sly attempt to sell you a new boiler). The last time they came they said it was unsafe and switched it off, because I told them that I wouldn’t be buying a new one from them. I then got 2 different expert CORGI men out to check it. Both told me it was perfectly alright and British Gas did this all the time to make money on selling new boilers. That same boiler is still perfectly safe 10 years later:!:
They’ve told us ours is obsolete for a decade I always say that’s a shame we aren’t changing it and they just agree it’s a good boiler but they had to try.
Twink, same happens to me every February. Mine is up for renewal any time now.
Every year they increase it hugely, even though I have always been in credit.
Like you, I have to phone them and argue, and tell them I’m not paying it and that’s that!
Before I phone, I sit and work out what my bills have been over the last 12 months, add a bit more for any increase, then divide it by 12 months. That is the new direct debit amount I am paying and not a penny more!
Eventually they always agree with me, and reduce it again.
It just annoys me having to fight them every year because they are pulling a fast one.
Sorry to hear of your plight, Twink.
We have switched back and forth to various providers many times over the years, but we’re now with the Co-Op and have found they are very reasonable. In fact, they are a good £30-40 cheaper than the others.
I always check my utility bills and give them hell if they try to overcharge, but I am furious when there customer service lines are so undermanned, that it takes ages to get through to complain. I have got better things to do with my time than waste it trying to stop them ripping their customers off… that is why I told them that I would move to another company if it happened again!
I only have electric supply, with EDF. Been with them from the beginning, and see no reason to change. I submit my readings online, when prompted by them, and it shows instantly what I owe. If there is money in my account, I pay up straightaway.
There is no way they will get my payments by DD, as I saw the problem Mum had with British Gas.
When I moved here to the bungalow I found that the old lady who lived here had been using pre payment cards for both gas and electricity.
I was told I couldn’t have the meters changed straight away so stuck with the pre payment method but switched both to Eon.
I’m still using it today and not found it a problem. It fits in with my budget plan and I don’t get surprise bills. Ok, one night the electricity ran out as I hadn’t topped up when i should but I just stuck the card in and pressed the button which gave me £5 credit till I went and topped up again a couple of days later.
I’m keeping quiet about my meters as I presume if their changed they will want me to have those smart meters fitted, and I’ve heard mutterings about them.
The money saving expert website has some gizmo which works out if you’re with the most economical supplier and will contact you when it’s best to switch suppliers - pretty good gizmo too!
Lindyloo, you’ll almost certainly be paying more for your gas and electricity than you need to. Prepayment meters are notorious for being more more expensive than than the normal meter no matter who the supplier is.
I don’t think you have anything to fear from smart meters.
