Forum Topic

Southern Electric price hype

This morning I received a letter informing me that I should increase my gas direct debit by £7 a month. (Anticipation of a severe winter.)As I only had a review in August you could say that I was not amused, as this would have put me into fuel poverty.  I spoke to an adviser stating this and, that I was not happy with this increase as they claim that prices will not rise until August 2012.  My direct debit now remains as it was.  However, a result.  I was transferred to another department, where I was asked, was I in receipt of Pension Credit?  As the answer was yes, I was informed that I will be entitled to a £120 rebate on my electricity bill next year (the government apply this to electricity, as not everyone has gas.It now looks as if a person who is on pension credit, can apply for a rebate, as it is only this benefit that is taken into consideration.  I did ask if State Pension (above normal rate) DLA or Care components were applicable, the answer was NO, only the PC.Any pensioners out there may like to apply and, see if they qualify.  You would have to provide proof of being in receipt of Pension Credit.  Good luck.

Nicola Howard ● 5436d4 Comments

Every bill we get now from Southern shows a substantial credit and we have to ring them up to get it refunded. They suggest a new direct debit amount but it is never low enough to not put us in the position of lending them money. Has anybody switched providers recently because we are thinking of doing so?

Catherine Evans ● 5434d

Catherine, take last year's usage and divide it by 12. Call up your provider and ask they make your DD amount that (I believe  you're allowed to do this, by law). If you don't know your usage last year, ask your provider to, um, provide it. These are human beings on the end of the line, albeit ones who are, I'm afraid, trained to do everything they can to get you owing them money, instead of them owing you money. I had to fight a British Gas woman once for around half an hour to get them to send me a cheque for £1,000 they'd overcharged me over two years for both gas and electricity, instead of have them simply 'credit' my account. If they owe you money, ask them to send you a cheque. Take a look at Southern's profits last year or last quarter. See if they need people like you to lend people like them money. Switch if you like, but in my experience they are all the same. They will do everything they can to increase your DD and have you owe them money. Good luck.

Hayes Thompson ● 5434d

Catherine, Hayes is right.  However as regards switching, we switched from Southern to Eon.  Southern admitted they could not match the prices.  They refunded us £450-odd which we had overpaid on DD.  Our new DD is less for gas/elec combined than each was with Southern which is encouraging.  Your usage should be on the back of the letter they send you with info on the price rises.  It takes about 4-6 weeks to switch.  Of course Eon might turn out to be as carp as Southern long-term!

Gill Healey ● 5434d

I too have just had a letter  from Southern Electric saying they are going to increase my monthly direct debit by £15 in spite of the fact that i am in credit to the tune of £339!! I have just got them to refund that to my account and have just switched to Scottish Power which the Which switch service says will save me £250 per annum. Thanks for this thread. Helped spur me into action to look for better alternatives.

Annie Hibbert ● 5432d