unused gas meter standing charges

[refuser]

hi everyone

 

just wondering if anyone can advise how i can be owing scottish power 500 pounds "standing charges" seeing as when i last used said meter i only owed a tenner. roughly three years ago. the meter was eventually "capped" as i stopped using it and now they are billing me for that amount!

how can that be right?

should i complain to ofgem?

this just is not right at all!

i didnt want the pay as you go meter in the first place. some silly youngster from the debt collection company told me that pay as you go is actually cheaper.

i tried to make a deal with them to pay a certain amount per week but i cant afford what they are asking.

if i switch suppliers will the gas be back to normal? i.e. will i be able to start using it again? im sick of cold winters with no hot water!

seems very unfair!

a rip off no less.

im not bothered a jot about debt i just need the gas back on which i am willing to pay fair and square for.

seems very unjust.

 

thx for reading.

[neil6534]

i'm not 100% certain but i dont think they can cut you off, particuarly if you are a vulnerable person?

[refuser]

i hear what yer saying mate. i do suffer from ptsd and adhd. ex royal artillery. op granby. have come to conclusion will just ignore gas meter and heat m house with electric heaters. luckily shower is electric.

seen worse just didnt expect in home country.

cheers all.

[unclebulgaria67]

Enter into their complaints process and get a full breakdown of what they think you owe. If you can get the bill down below £200 you can switch supplier. You might also be able to switch to a standard meter. Prepayment meters are normally more expensive.

 

EBIC don't apply standing charges as such and you get charged on what you use. Therefore it can work out cheaper for those who are low energy users. Worth looking into, if you can get away from your current supplier.

[neil6534]

sorry to hear that .....has your condition been diagnosed by a doctor, if it has you can get them to write you a letter advising of your condition and that should give you some maneuvering space ...you would also be best off getting a break down of their charges before you make any further commitment to them....and until you have a written letter from you doctor I would immediately bring your condition to their attention.....also don't be shy why not try "help for heroes" there maybe something that they can do for you......

i hear what yer saying mate. i do suffer from ptsd and adhd. ex royal artillery. op granby. have come to conclusion will just ignore gas meter and heat m house with electric heaters. luckily shower is electric.

seen worse just didnt expect in home country.

cheers all.

[dx100uk]

limit is now £500 on switching.

 

 

dx

[Mr.P]

EBIC don't apply standing charges as such and you get charged on what you use. Therefore it can work out cheaper for those who are low energy users.

 

Another vote for Ebico. I switched to them last year and cut my gas bill to less than £40 per quarter. They also offer a number of different payment options: Monthly direct debit, payment card, quarterly billing, all at the same price. The per unit cost of energy is quite a bit higher than the main suppliers, but for low usage users, this is more than offset by the zero standing charges.

[refuser]

thanks all for replies / advice! i am seeing a welfare officer from my housing association friday and hope to get something sorted.

been in hospital recently hence none replies. just astonished at how these companies, in this day and age and country can get away with such blatant con's.

once again thank you all.

Edited December 8, 2015 by refuser
word came up i didnt type

[refuser]

phoned scottish power yesterday - they seemed stunned when i told the girl i want to register this as an official complaint. she put me on hold and some managerial sounding woman came on the line so i reiterated the official complaint line as is the procedure before complainig to ofcom. the rude woman said something very rude and hung up.

horrible company!

cheers all for reading and replying, unfortunately for some reason i cant add "kudos" star thingy but much obliged all!

take care all, laters!

[ericsbrother]

problem is that if a meter is in place, even capped then it attracts a standing charge if the tariff has one.

 

 

They should have removed the meter at the time but of course now their £200m computer says that you owe a fortune they will try and collect it.

 

 

The nighmare will continue as long as meter in place and unfortunately I dont think that a court will agree that no money is owed

because their hands are tied by the original contract.

 

 

If you had one some time ago that had just gas charges a a higher rate and no standing charge

and they switched you to on with a standing charge becuase OFGEM said the old accounts were confusing

then you are onto a winner as the new contract would be unfair

and certainly not compulsory as many energy suppliers claim..

[refuser]

hiya mate thanks for reply.

 

what happened was 4 yrs ago my mum moved into sheltered housing

and apart from some brief spells away from home, army, girlfriends;

 

i managed to inherit the house / tenancy from housing association.

problem was i also inherited two large elec. and gas bills.

 

paid off the leccy bill.

 

but scottish power *made* me take pay as you go meter.

threatened by debt collection company.

 

liar on the phone even told me "aye its cheaper than direct debit normal meter"

 

but on xmas eve 2012 i trekked miles to local shop for a tenner top up for gas

- inserted the card and it took it all.

 

maybe im at fualt for sort of losing the plot but it angered me so much after all that walking to be left gasless.

 

from then i decided i wasnt playing there game anymore and thought right thats it - not using this anymore.

 

stubborn? yes

 

but also principled

 

i just hate injustice and unfairness and will always fight for the right and justice.

apologies for babbling im just so angry. and freezing.

cheers all!

[unclebulgaria67]

It might be worth looking at EBIC, who now offer prepay, as well as standard metering. They don't have standing charges as such and prepay rate is the same as standard meters.

 

Perhaps if you moved supplier, you can get to where you want to be, with a change of meter arrangement.

[refuser]

thanks uncle im browsing them now. much appreciated sir!

[unclebulgaria67]

thanks uncle im browsing them now. much appreciated sir!

 

Mistype, it is EBICO

[Old Cogger]

Seems there is no law stating they have to charge for a meter, since it is for their own benefit in able them to read usage, just another crap Regulator telling them they can IF they want to!

[refuser]

agreed old yin. uncle bulgaria - have contacted ebico, just waiting for reply. big thanks to ya sir! will kseep posted on here. thanks all!