You're not for one minute insinuating our great consumer champion, is somehow not interested in the general consumer are you?

Mynewt:

Here is an interesting copy/paste from a Consumer Focus response to "Debt Blocking"

Fascinating (sadly). Interesting that "supplier error" is grounds for an objection and that Consumer Focus don't seem fussed.

Here is an interesting copy/paste from a Consumer Focus response to "Debt Blocking" which can be found here. Given this I assume the arguement would now rage around the terms "agreed debt payment arrangement"

"However, it is important to note that the Ofgem definition of debt only includes those households who have agreed a debt payment arrangement with their supplier, which is scheduled to last longer than 91 days"

Hi Jalexa,

In general terms as I understand it (I can't claim to be 100% certain on this aspect as it isn't my my area), its supplier choice. How much of that is influenced by consumer focus/OFGem pressure I cannot say.

Mynewt:

In the consumer market there suppliers have only two clauses they can intiate to object to a transfer.

1. There has been a continuing outstanding balance on an account for a period of 90 days or more. I.e. you owe your supplier £100.00 on your first quarter and by your 4th quester its still there if not greater.

That's interesting. Is the word "owe" significant? If there is a debit balance resulting only from the set direct debit being insufficient I "understand" there would not usually be an objection. Is that a "customer right" or the supplier choosing not to object?

In the consumer market there suppliers have only two clauses they can intiate to object to a transfer.

1. There has been a continuing outstanding balance on an account for a period of 90 days or more. I.e. you owe your supplier £100.00 on your first quarter and by your 4th quester its still there if not greater.

2. there is an issue with the metering profile, meaning that either the gaining supplier hasn't correctly applied for the meter/meters (very common in older E10 or RHT set ups), or the gaining supplier does not support the meter (and associated tarrif)

In most cases an active complaint would waiver clause 1. it is also worth noting that just because they "can" object doesn't mean they "will" object. In general terms you should consider your position following a successful switch, getting away from anightmare provider is a good thing, but may leave you in a sticky situation if you now have a large balance to clear, you may not get as generous a repayment time if they do not supply you.

In your situation again speak with your supplier and find out the excact reason for the objection and if it holds very little water ensure that they remove the objection and re-apply to your supplier of choice.

Far from it,

Jalexa is being very constructive, especially when you piece your quote with other infoamtion provided by them in other posts. While you sit back claim "oh woe is me, its not my fault the big nasty energy supplier didn't look out for my personal interests" you will be nothing but a victim.

Change your attitude to something more helpful such as "they got me once, but won't get me agian, i'm going to take more responsibility for my situation and ensure i'm doing everything in my power to get a better deal!" and i'm sure you'll get better results.

Attacking people that have been, and will be offering their support and knowledge is perhaps not the best idea in the world.

grim rita:

If you cant say anything constructive Jalexa - dont say anything at all.

As I said - "there you go again". Posts are "one to many" (hopefully). I post to try to help any OP who wants to be helped ( I take it you did want help??) but also anyone else who follows the thread who wants to be helped. If even one person goes away able to deal more confidently with a similar situation then that is a result.

Regarding the particular "objection" you have encountered, you might want to discuss that specific issue with Consumer Focus. It's news to me as grounds for an objection though I stand to be corrected. I would never take a "big company" explanation at face value. If you are in "non Direct Debit" arrears however, that is another matter.

I wait for Mynewt's insight on how to counter the "objection" and score another goal.

Jalexa:

grim rita:

but whilst my complaint is outstanding, I cant switch.

There you go again....

If you cant say anything constructive Jalexa - dont say anything at all. I cant switch, I even had the letter from British Gas (who I was going to switch to through this site) saying that whilst there is an outstanding dispute, npower have refused to let me switch.

Hogwash you can switch at any time, regardless of complaint.

If npower cna proive that you were mis-advised regarding not being able to switch they cna and should back date the plan (or credit your account with the cost difference), if they can't provie one way or another I cna see why they would be reluctant do so. As you are quite correct it is up to the consumer to look after their own affairs and ensure they're getting the best they can.

If doesn't take more than 5 minutes to research better tarrifs (to a basic level) so fi you're spending any where near half a day your either doing it wrong or being too picky.

And finally in your closing sentance your nopt telling anyone anything new - this has been common knowledge for a very long time and is something Jalexa, myself and numerous others have advised people to check out before.

grim rita:

but whilst my complaint is outstanding, I cant switch.

There you go again....

I have already gone to their Executive complaints team and they have offered me the online tariff but they dont think they can back date it to Oct 08 when I discovered it. British Gas offer a far better deal (that I found on here) but whilst my complaint is outstanding, I cant switch.

I'm not playing the 'victim' - its just annoying that these tariffs are out there, but again its up to the consumer to do their home work. Not everyone can spend the best part of a day researching the best deals and as I have mentioned elsewhere, if you are happy with your current supplier, and on the same standard tariff, you are losing out in hundreds of pounds of savings.

grim rita:I have complained to Npower - but its slow and very painful - they are simply useless.

I'm going to be a little cruel to be kind. You seen determined to play the victim and seem to have just woken up from a long sleep.

You are the customer and there is a much more productive and positive way to play this than the complaints route you are being guided down.

Go to a Consumer Focus accredited comparison website. This is a link to one on this this Forum. Enter your details and you will get a list of suppliers in cost order. Probably NPower will be cheapest and would be so as long as you observe the tariff small print. I imagine you will prefer to select the first non-Npower tariff so select a suitable tariff that allows online switching that you are happy with taking into account the tariff small print.

The gaining company will deal with NPower on your behalf, you do not need to speak to NPower again. Its possible however NPower will phone you, (1) to check that the switch is genuine (answer YES) and (2) to try to convince you to stay. How you answer that is up to you. I suggest THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

Remember you do not need to contact NPower, the gaining company does that for you. The switch will take place in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Any questions, post again.

grim rita:I have complained to Npower - but its slow and very painful - they are simply useless.

Forget their customer services number look up their complaints number it should appear on any of their statements or you can obtian it from their website. Speak to their complaints department and if still not satisifed by their response obtian a copy of their complaints procedure and followit to the letter. Ultimately if it remains unsatisfied you will be able to contact OFGem who may take up your case.

grim rita:it appears that my economy 7 doesnt actually kick in until midnight - so I am being charged the higher rate for energy ALL day.

Well this is how E-7 metering works. If you have them your storage heating will also come on at this time (they are wired specifically to come on when the jight portion of your meter is active) so that they will be charged at the low rate - handy considering that they will be using a very large amount of energy far larger than any other appliance in your propety (probably far larger than all your other appliances put together). To offset the lower night charges your day-time electrcity will have a premium over non e7 metering. So where possible install timers so that other appliances cna be utilised during these times. This type of emtering and timing is standard across the energy market and is not unique to Npower. Its simply how the meter works.

grim rita:I never had any problems when I was with EDF in London. I was paying £30 a month and that was it.

What tarriff were you on? how were you paying? how long ago was this? were your bills based on actual meter readings?

grim rita:My tariff is just the standard tariff.

You can still change this - when speaking with their complaints team enquire into their other tarrifs.

I have complained to Npower - but its slow and very painful - they are simply useless.

After yet another conversation with them yesterday, it appears that my economy 7 doesnt actually kick in until midnight - so I am being charged the higher rate for energy ALL day. I never had any problems when I was with EDF in London. I was paying £30 a month and that was it.

My tariff is just the standard tariff