That is what should happen (and in my experience often does), you build up a credit over the summer and end up a bit in debt at the end of the winter, but it is difficult to always get the balance right as a mild winter gives lower bills and a harsh winter higher ones.
- Thread starter RonA
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That is what should happen (and in my experience often does), you build up a credit over the summer and end up a bit in debt at the end of the winter, but it is difficult to always get the balance right as a mild winter gives lower bills and a harsh winter higher ones.
It could be worse, the 'computer error' at the Co-Op Energy resulted in me being sent a bill with gas usage approaching a small city in what was a total shambles - several hours waiting to get through to someone, I stopped the DD and so they kept setting a debt collection agency on me (even though I would still have actually been in credit if their systems worked). In the end I had to go to the ombudsman to get money back and compensation.
OVO seem incapable of giving a coherent estimate (although their billing systems all seemed to run ok). When I pointed out that my estimate for the next year (and my brothers and my fathers as we were all part of a collective switch) were clearly wrong and had different figures on different pages they claimed the 22% discrepancy between their own figures was due to VAT - I assumed that maths was not their strong point and moved.
Now with Outfox the market - customer service rating is dire, but I have found them excellent, simple, quick to respond, their figures add up, their bills are really clear (as is their website) and the prices for me are a few hundred a year less than any of the big people with no fees to switch away (even from the fixed price tariffs) if they are no longer the cheapest.
It's quite common for money saving site to suggest ringing your supplier and asking them to refund any credit. Whilst I can understand it's better for you to have the money interest rates are so low you would gain much benefit. If you did have the money back then you'd onky spend it and you bills would be higher in the winter
Seadog
Save the planet. It's the only one with rum!
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Morrisman
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It's a very simple way of saving the money up for lean times. I realise we Mig forum members are all well heeled and cash flush, but I'm sure there are less fortunate folk who benefit from such a method.
Ashley Burton
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They're all a bunch of crooks
Constantly I be on the phone to them saying about my bill being too high & they owed me
Glad to be out of it & can't wait for off grid living
Constantly I be on the phone to them saying about my bill being too high & they owed me
Glad to be out of it & can't wait for off grid living
sako243
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Pah, my electricity usage is pretty consistent throughout the year. I have this old fashioned thing called an oil tank outside that takes care of heating (actually 2, the smaller one is for an AGA that predates Noah).
If I lose electricity I can always go and lie on a dog bed in the kitchen because the AGA relies on something reliable called gravity. At least if gravity changes then I suspect we have bigger issues to worry about
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(actually 2, the smaller one is for an AGA that predates Noah).If I lose electricity I can always go and lie on a dog bed in the kitchen because the AGA relies on something reliable called gravity. At least if gravity changes then I suspect we have bigger issues to worry about
.
Fraserb
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Pah, my electricity usage is pretty consistent throughout the year. I have this old fashioned thing called an oil tank outside that takes care of heating
If I lose electricity I can always go and lie on a dog bed in the kitchen because the AGA relies on something reliable called gravity. At least if gravity changes then I suspect we have bigger issues to worry about
Yeah when the power goes off for 10 days and you still have the aga for heating and cooking its amazing how many friends you develop.
I setup a direct debit with my oil provider. The offer 3% on any credit (they did when I started - i suspect that may have come down with the recent rate drop). I knew the DD was waaaaaay more than I would use but 3% offered at the time was about triple what a simple savings account would offer and at the end of year 1 I think they put £2k back in my bank account - that was a nice little boost and stopped me spending it elsewhere. Best thing is, before I order oil I have have a look around and if their price on the day is more than the cheapest I find elsewhere, they match it and dont quibble.
Whilst for most of us the amount of any overpayment to the supplier is not a massive amount the collective balance for the supplier is pretty significant and you can bet they are investing it on the short term money market likewise they will delay the payment of their bills until the last moment improving their cashflow again. I take the view that the money is better in my pocket.
Pigeon_Droppings2
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I never got into the whole direct debit think...I have a paper bill...it arrives and I pay the bill and I'm done.
If you need to spread things out then just set up an online bank card for utilities...monthly direct debit...pay bill when arrives.
To me the whole direct debit thing is just one more thing to go wrong and create hassle!
If you need to spread things out then just set up an online bank card for utilities...monthly direct debit...pay bill when arrives.
To me the whole direct debit thing is just one more thing to go wrong and create hassle!
Morrisman
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Think of the environment. Think of the children. 
I actually do 'all green' paperless banking and billing......by the banks recommendation .... but TSB used to send me great wedges of advertising bowlocks every week or two, loans, card transfers etc, and they would not stop. I eventually left them, because of other incompetence, but that paper garbage was annoying.
Hsbc send me next to nothing on paper.
Ashley Burton
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What annoys me most is when I settled my last bill with Scottish Power
I gave them the readings & asked them for a final bill. I paid the final amount
Then about a month later they said I still owed them, So told them to swivel & never heard anymore from them
I gave them the readings & asked them for a final bill. I paid the final amount
Then about a month later they said I still owed them, So told them to swivel & never heard anymore from them
eLuSiVeMiTe
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Snap. Sp here too for 6 years.
sako243
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Solved that by moving to the other end of the country from where most people are
. Downside is I have about 10 large spare bedrooms so they know I won't struggle to accommodate people 
pedrobedro
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At the start of the winter Scottish Power had about £400 of my money and at the end I owed them £4, they sent me an email the other day saying they are increasing my payment by £16 a month from July. What I can't understand is now we have a smart meter for gas and electricity why can't they just take the requisite amount every month ?
Kayos
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Nothing wrong with paying by DD, after all it's how you do your grocery shopping isn't it, isn't it?
paying by Direct Debit is the biggest con going, they dictate what you pay, and they make sure whatever you pay your bill will be more.
I am with SSE, they rang me the other day, and asked me would i mind reading my meter for them, I said no problem, How much are you going to pay me..............silence, I said you charge me a daily rate, even though half the time I am not in my house, why should I do you any favours............cheeky barstewards. I told them you send me the bill, I will read the meter if you get it wrong I will let you know, and you can send me an amended bill, otherwise employ someone to read it.
paying by Direct Debit is the biggest con going, they dictate what you pay, and they make sure whatever you pay your bill will be more.
I am with SSE, they rang me the other day, and asked me would i mind reading my meter for them, I said no problem, How much are you going to pay me..............silence, I said you charge me a daily rate, even though half the time I am not in my house, why should I do you any favours............cheeky barstewards. I told them you send me the bill, I will read the meter if you get it wrong I will let you know, and you can send me an amended bill, otherwise employ someone to read it.
We're with SP as well, wife just enters the readings and tweaks payment occasionally, never far out.
