Having had a contretemps with e-on about a demand for a ridiculous increase in my monthly DD (without achieving any satisfaction) I notified that I was about to switch supplier. I then recd a downright offensively worded response telling me they would not let me switch until I had paid any outstanding balance - despite the fact that they owed me over £100!

Needless to say, I used moneysupermarket to identify a sensible switch. Up to now the balance eon holds of my money has not been refunded. Nor have they had the courtesy to supply a closing statement.

If you're impressed by their latest shiny ads and are thinking of moving to eon - my strong advice is DON'T.

spranglebolt:

If you're impressed by their latest shiny ads and are thinking of moving to eon...

For anybody thinking of switching there is no requirement to contact your current supplier, the gaining supplier will do this for you. An account deficit resulting soley from inadequate Direct Debit is not arrears and is not grounds for the existing supplier to object to the switch, but be prepared for them to try to "dupe" you on that point.

Any time you are not happy with anything be prepared to complain formally in accordance with the supplier's code of practice. A rant is all very well but doesn't count in complaint statistics.

Thanks for your thoughts, jalexa.

Sloppy use of words on my part, I'm afraid. The reason I told eon on the phone (not notified) that I was about to shift was that it gave them a last chance to rethink the demand for a 25% increase in DD (from £97pm to £121pm), despite the fact that I was well in credit. OK, it was summertime, but ...

I did get a response to my final complaint from a guy in the directors' office re the belligerent attitude, but it was just word processed waffle.

Anyway, there was no further action until after I had formally arranged the switch, when they tried to get me to change my mind but still didn't make an offer re my DD.

So, goodbye eon.

Can I add to this discussion. Over the last year Eon have attempted to change my monthly direct debit from as little as £103 to as much as £212 monthly. I never allow them to do it. I always tell them what the monthly direct debit will be because my annual use of gas and electricity has not varied significantly for nearly 20 years. As per your post they never justify their change and in fact don't even reply to letters now they only send emails. I have now applied via Money Supermarket to change to First-Utility making an estimated saving of £15 per month.

The really irritating thing about Eon is that they changed me from their previous best tariff to their supposedly better tariff without asking me. In fact if you ignore the discounts given for on line and dual fuel their new "best" tariff is actually 5% more expensive since they have increased their primary and secondary charges.

Mike, I must admit that, in a perverse and undoubtedly selfish way, I'm relieved to see that it's not only me who is having probs. Please forgive me for that. I had thought it was just me being even more neurotic than usual.

My current situation is that a refund of the substanial £££ eon owed me has finally been made to my bank account. The cash sum looks considerably lower than I would have thought but, since they still haven't had the courtesy to send a closing statement, I can't really tell at the moment. I guess they'll blame the postal situation. Harrumph.

It seems from a news report on moneysupermarket that eon is the flavour of the month regarding prices. Trouble is that, like many another co, everything appears hunkydory until you look for a competent level of customer service. Must admit (sorry Mr Moderator) that I am rather cynical anyway regarding these comparative reports - because what seems to uswitch, whichswitch, switchwise, yes and moneysupermarket etc, to be the best buy at the moment probably won't be next month. And despite what they keep urging us to do on telly, who is going to the hassle of switching supplier every time the market leader changes?

Anyroadup, I hope that your new supplier does the business.