aHHHH bl**dy Powergen - and does anyone have a pre-pay meter??

[HRHQueenOfQuelNoel]

OK - so, Powergen being Powergen last year we weren't paying enough on our monthly direct debit to cover the cost of the electricty (and gas) used. However, they despite us querying the fact that our amount owing was going up and up and up, they said we could leave the monthly payment as it was. Before Christmas they suddenly decided that, "actually no - we want you to pay off what you owe - about £400 at the time", they wanted all, or at least half or they'd cut us off.

We came up with an agreement to pay a bit extra each month - and they sent us a payment card for each one. End of December we duly payed what we'd promised. then we get a letter last week - we want our money. cue a phone call to them (within the last 7 days), where DH spoke to them and agreed to pay half the balance off over the next 3 months (£70 a month for both gas and electricity -although we don't owe as much on the gas).

The guy comes round to check the meter today and tell us there's a problem with the bill. I tell him I know - but that DH has spoken to them and they've agreed to a bit each month. Cue very long 3/4 way conversation between DH (who's on the way to work so had to pull over), me, the guy at Powergen (as the bloke who came doesn't actually work for them) and the bloke in the house.

Turns out apparently the conversation with DH "cut off suddenly" (they apparently listened to it) and there was no record of an agreement. We've had to (reluctantly) agree to have a pre-pay meter fitted at a cost of £26 a WEEK (until the balance is payed off) or they'd cut us off.

Needless to say DH is livid, and I'm p*ssed off and want to scream.

If we can come up with half the balance owed (balance now about £470 - so about £235 - hahaha) in the next 2 weeks we can cancel the pre-pay meter and continue as normal.

DH is now going to have to waste time when he should be working (didn't work yesterday as he didn't have money for petrol LOL) calling Powergen direct to find out what the hell is going on. I was going to make the payments today, but wasn't sure whether I got paid tomorrow or Monday, so held off as didn't want to be left with no money for the shopping - glad I didn't know

but would powergen not tell them that we have money oustanding???

They shouldn't. Should just get a final meter reading and send you a final bill.

you cannot move company with a debt, you can try, they will object, a d67, it;s a flow that will srop it.
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powergen can and will keeep you [paying adhanced rate} on pp meter ultil its paid off, coz you canlt change supplier on ppm ubless there is no debt attached

but what if we changed now kalex - when we're not yet on the PPM??

They would object, coz there is debt on the account

There was a debt on mine as in the payments I was making werent covering what we owed and they put us up to £120 so I applied to another company and it was fine.

It depends on the amount of the debt. and how it is being paid. If you having been making regualar DD payments, then that is fine, the problem for QoQ is that there is already a dispute over money, they can legally object to the transfer until the balance has been cleared. HTH

we switched from BG to powergen oweing BG £80, didn't get a final bill from BG, have £42 credit with powergen and are waiting for our first bill to come in. tfr'ed on the 1st nov.

well I'm going to ring them this afternoon, pointing out how WE asked several months ago if our monthly DD should go up as it wasn't covering our usage costs, and they said they would review it in 3 months time (never did). I'm also going to point out that they now want 1/2 of the CURRENT amount owing (it was around £400 (we're not actually behind on any 'payments' with them at all - they've had all of their DD's - just hasn't been covering the amount we used), they read the meter yesterday and the amount has now jumped to £471 (so they want half of that.....).

Then I'm going to point out it'll cost them more, and take them longer to get their money if they force us to go PPM.

If that lot doesn't get me anywhere I shall inform them I have a letter to Energywatch sitting next to me ready to put in the post (ok I don't really yet - but they don't know that LOL)

Have had a email from them (have registered to receive bills online so I can keep an eye on them) and they've reduced my bill by about £70, but still say they have to increase my monthly DD from £34 to £125!! Will make sure enough in the bank to cover it this time and give them a new reading once it's gone out.

As soon as we're paid up to date I'm changing supplier. They are theiving rob-dogs.

QoQ, you must go to Energywatch about this, even if they resolve it. PGEn are notiourisly bad for this, and need to get off their arses and sort out their customer service.

Can you tell I work in the industry

YES YES YES YES YES

Persistance pays off. Just spent 40 minutes on the phone ot them. Initial person giving the same story - need to pay 1/2 to cancel the PPM - I stuck to my guns, dropped in "Energywatch" etc etc (thanks guys ) a few times, and she STILL stuck to her guns. Called hte "debt" department and apparently they told her 'nothing we can do'.

Then she told me a date had been set up (which we weren't told about ) for the PPM to be fitted 10th Feb - told her I could't do that date as I'd be sleeping and DH at work (complete bollox but she didn't know that).

She offered to change the date, and I said yes and mentioned CEO, Chairman, Energywatch, Watchdog and newspaper (I think) all in the same breath.

Next thing she comes on and says I'm going to put you on to someone that could help you (yeah right I'm thinking).

Anyhow, think it was someone from debt department as we made some FABULOUS progress.

PPM has been cancelled, I'm going down the shop once DH has called me back (he doesn't know yet - and was busy when I called just now), to pay £70 on each gas and electricity.

Next month I'll pay £90 and £50 and then the same in march - plus if we have any extra money going (hahah LOL) we can put that on too. So the PPM is cancelled, our agreement that DH made last week stands, and I've got the woman's name and number (direct number rather than via 0800) if there's any queiries - AND she says she'll put a letter in the post with the arrangment on

glad (??) to hear i am not the only one battling with energy companies, esp. powergen.... the previous owner of our house had run up a £900 bill for his electricity, which powergen transferred to our account, since they couldn't get hold of him. i threatened them with watchdog and energywatch and even our sollicitor, but even almost two years later they write back with a bill no and then. we switched as soon as we could.
HQQN, make sure, if you do switch from powergen, to send them last reading, keep a copy of the letter you send them (and if you call them, make a note of date time, and who you talked to (fist+last name), and keep all letters they bsend you: more than a year after we switched they complained we had never given them last reading, but fortunately i could prove we had.

AM NOW SHOUTING. PLEASE PUT THIS IN WRITING TO ENERGYWATCH. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

whispers quietly* ok

thank you

bump - because I'm really chuffed it's sorted