Check those utility bills!

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Jun 15, 2015.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Some of you may remember, at Christmas time (literally a few days before Christmas) a couple of years ago, I got a demand through in the post for a small fortune to clear my gas and electric accounts, which had accrued a debit balance which was caused by my direct debit being set too low when we moved into this house (it was set at £60 a month, which we said was too low at the time, but the utility company said that was the average bill for the house we had just moved into, and it would all be fine.....)

    Anyway, there was no way I could pay them numerous hundreds in one at that time of year (or any time of year for that matter), so I agreed to a higher monthly payment; for some reason, they said they couldn't take this higher payment by direct debit, so chose to push me onto a quarterly bill which I could pay via internet banking, but lost the dual fuel and direct debit discounts (which I was pretty miffed at, at the time).

    Anyway, shortly after all that, I managed to forget the password to get on and check my bills online, and to reset the password I needed my account number from my bill, which I didn't have because they were online (I had gone paperless) and couldn't get to them because I had forgotten the password..... so, after a deal of frustration, I gave up and just carried on paying £185 every four weeks.

    Now, for a while I have been thinking that the £185 is excessive, and thought that I had probably accrued a couple of hundred quid in credit, but I couldn't find out for sure until I could get into my account online. So, this afternoon I managed to get my password reset (the new website is so much easier than it was before), and got access to my last bill (end of April) - I nearly had a bloomin' heart attack! The bill was showing just over £1262!!

    Muttering some really, really sweary words whilst wondering just how many houses I had been powering to run up a bill like that, I scrolled down the screen and then noticed the wee 'Cr' under the figure - - they owed ME £1262!!! :yes:

    I got straight on the phone, and after a quick chat with someone, and a couple of up to date meter readings, it was confirmed that I was in credit to the tune of £1026, and had just paid another £185 online only half an hour before starting to try and get the password sorted.

    In short, I have a cheque for £1000 winging its way to me (thank God, as we were really, really beginning to struggle and into overdraft pretty much every month), and I have been changed onto a fixed rate tariff for 12-months, with direct debit discount, dual fuel discount and a couple of other discounts applied; They wanted to drop the payments by £85 a month, but I refused as I don't want to get caught short again, so we agreed on £130 for now.

    So, if you pay for your gas and electric monthly, and are not in the habit of keeping tabs on your bills - - get checking!
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Good result FC :)
       
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      • mowgley

        mowgley Total Gardener

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        Good result :yay:
         
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        • Apple Blossom

          Apple Blossom Total Gardener

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          Absolutely Fantastic!!
           
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          • Adendoll

            Adendoll Super Gardener

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            Guess who will be at the garden centre soon, with a fist full of cash? Lol!
            Nice result F.C enjoy your energy "savings".
             
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            • JazzSi

              JazzSi Super Gardener

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              Your can't be with isupply energy then, as your account seems to be running very smoothly compared to mine.
               
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              • WeeTam

                WeeTam Total Gardener

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                Result FC ;)
                Just about to go with m&s energy where i get £200 vouchers on a £380 spend, so next years power should be ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY! :wow:
                 
              • merleworld

                merleworld Total Gardener

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                Great result :blue thumb:

                I'm with Ovo - not only is the customer service great but they give you 3% interest on any credit balance.
                 
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                • Scrungee

                  Scrungee Well known for it

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                  We take meter readings every week, input into a spreadsheet which updates forecast bill and compares to same week nr in previous years, all part of Mrs Scrungee's drive to reduce our energy consumption year on year.
                   
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                  • Charlie996

                    Charlie996 Gardener

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                    Brilliant news ! It is so hard to understand what appears on the screens when checking our accounts ! Scottish Power like to show a high over balance then when you ring it gets reduced because there are payments to come off . I mean how hard would it be to show the "actual " real balance ?
                    Clowns the lot of em .....................:biggrin:
                     
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                    • "M"

                      "M" Total Gardener

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                      I do remember, FC - it was quite a worry for you at that time too.

                      Excellent news on finally getting into your account and for the fab rebate. :ccheers:

                      Shame on the company though *insert thumbs down smiley* ... your rebate is equivalent to six months of them taking your money when you didn't owe a bean! They should have refunded you long before this and definitely before *you* highlighted it to them. :nonofinger:
                       
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                      • Beckie76

                        Beckie76 Total Gardener

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                        Great news FC, I hope you can have a few treats with your refund :). :hapydancsmil:
                         
                      • "M"

                        "M" Total Gardener

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                        You may remember my saga with the telephone when I moved here and the excuses reasons bouncing between my fault/their fault/we're all screaming whose fault!? :noidea:

                        Finally sorted a couple of days before Christmas.

                        Recently noticed my DD had been increased substantially. Cheeky blighters had charged me for the engineers call out fees .... to fix the fault at their exchange :hate-shocked: :nonofinger:

                        One phone call later and I have now have a rebate and the DD has been amended accordingly :phew:
                         
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                        • Beckie76

                          Beckie76 Total Gardener

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                          Cheeky little blighters :ouch1:, I personally don't think these utility companies should be able to increase a direct debit without informing you first, so many of my friends with kids on tight incomes have been overdrawn & had bank charges due to this, it's a joke. My mind boggles when I think of all the people out there who wouldn't quibble a bill or charge for engineers, some people must just get ripped off all the time :wallbanging:...just stepping off my hobby horse after my little rant!
                           
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                          • pamsdish

                            pamsdish Total Gardener

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                            I am with Ebico, no standing charge :yes:, it is franchised to Scottish Power so I ring them with my queries, they read my meters yesterday so, also paperless, I am waiting for the online statement and will be withdrawing all my credit, I dont let them keep a penny of my money. The only paper bill I get is water, which as FC says can prove a nuisance if anybody requires utility bills for proof of residence or other reasons.
                             
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