Domestic fuel cost

[Airehead]

If there are any other old gimmers like me who have difficulty in affording to avoid freezing to death in winter, my recent experience might be of some help (the conclusion of the following is that Powergen Staywarm, supposed to help ageing people with their fuel bills, is a disgusting rip-off):

I joined 'Staywarm' for the year 2004-2005 and they charged me £67 p. month. This was similar to what I had paid in total during the year before, so I thought it would be good value if we could remain a little warmer than previously.

For the year 2005-2006 they charged me £83 p month. I thought this was probably still beneficial since prices were rising so fast.

For the coming year they have quoted me £114 per month and told me we were 'high users'. This was clearly nonsense for several reasons which I won't expand here so I looked at Uswitch.com. This told me that Scottish Power would save me £500 in the year! I confirmed it on the phone with Uswitch and put the switch into motion.
That should be the end of the story, but -

I had an unpleasant shock when I received the agreement from Scottish Power because it quoted my monthly payment as £108. I emailed them and received the answer "Your monthly Direct Debit has been adjusted to £72 per month as you requested". I dont know whether they made a mistake or if it was another rip-off attempt. But it obviously pays to shop around.

[Paul mabbott]

They all seem to do it - it's probably incompetence as much as a rip-off but, as you say, it pays to look around *and* to keep complaining!

Originally Posted by Airehead

I had an unpleasant shock when I received the agreement from Scottish Power because it quoted my monthly payment as £108. I emailed them and received the answer "Your monthly Direct Debit has been adjusted to £72 per month as you requested". I dont know whether they made a mistake or if it was another rip-off attempt. But it obviously pays to shop around.

[honeybee]

We had terrible problems with npower when we rented a house. They tried to overcharge me nearly a grand. They were so horrible. My mum also had problems with them. She opened a letter adressed to the occupier at her address with a different postcode. My mum was never with npower .The letter turned out to be for somebody across the road. Because she originally thought it was for her and had rang them, they tried making her pay the bill even though it wasn't hers, when she said it wasn't her postcode, they said it must've been changed!!

Energywatch were brilliant. If you ever have any probs contact them, they sort them out. I think so many vulnerable people must be ripped off.

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by Airehead

I had an unpleasant shock when I received the agreement from Scottish Power because it quoted my monthly payment as £108. I emailed them and received the answer "Your monthly Direct Debit has been adjusted to £72 per month as you requested". I dont know whether they made a mistake or if it was another rip-off attempt. But it obviously pays to shop around.

We've had terrible problems with Scottish Power overestimating our readings every time they send a bill, leading to me phoning in the correct readings and ending up in credit on future bills. This is with both gas & electricity.