Dealing with threatening/ abusive energy supplier (Spark Energy)

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by DusThaNoIII, Mar 30, 2017.

  1. DusThaNoIII

    DusThaNoIII Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    5,003
    Likes Received:
    3,080
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Leeds
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    I thought this might be a suitable place to seek advice on this matter since there are some knowledgeable folk about.

    I moved into my flat in Leeds on 23rd of January and immediately compared to update to the best energy supplier. I thought it was all set up fine and received a call the following week from my new company telling me I'd be best off updating to a direct debit so I dutifully did. I later that day discovered this was in fact the company I was changing from from the previous tenant Spark Energy so cancelled and gave them a piece of my mind.

    Of course due to the changeover I had to pay the 29 days it took to change to Iresa from Spark which was fine and i sent my start and end readings to Spark. Spark are refusing to accept these readings and insisting I pay £220 for those 29 days as an estimated bill. I live in a 1 bedroom flat, there's absolutely no way thats correct considering i pay £31 a month with Iresa. I am getting daily threatening phone calls, emails and texts from Spark and their creditors informing me of how much this has ruined my credit rating already 2 months on. Spark are not interested in acknowledging my meter readings and their only option is to set up a direct debit for the £220 they have estimated I owe them for the 29 days.

    I am at a loss for what to do since I will not be bullied but I am seriously concerned to be bombarded with calls and emails from creditors for the first time in my life.

    What would you do
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2017
    DusThaNoIII, Mar 30, 2017
    #1
  2. DEETEE

    DEETEE Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2011
    Messages:
    10,230
    Likes Received:
    2,188
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    When you move into a property you inherite the supplier from the previous tenant at out of contract/deemed rates which are significantly higher than contract rates.
    This is what you will have been charged at by time providers have changed.
    Find out what sparks deemed contract residential rates are and use a bill generating app/website to see what's owed.
    Then pay it.
    As for rest. Piss and vinegar.
     
    DEETEE, Mar 30, 2017
    #2
    DusThaNoIII likes this.
  3. fit

    fitzytyke2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2016
    Messages:
    7,146
    Likes Received:
    3,326
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Ombudsman?

    Re that affecting your credit rating? I'm not sure that it will.

    I regularly check my credit score and my energy provider isn't listed amongst my live accounts.

    Only Yorkshire water is, and only with one credit agency.

    Dig your heels in and involve a third party if possible.

    Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk
     
    fitzytyke2, Mar 30, 2017
    #3
    DusThaNoIII likes this.
  4. shenk1

    shenk1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Messages:
    6,603
    Likes Received:
    4,181
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Urine Extraction Technician
    Location:
    Elsecar By The Sea
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    shenk1, Mar 30, 2017
    #4
    fitzytyke2 likes this.
  5. DusThaNoIII

    DusThaNoIII Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    5,003
    Likes Received:
    3,080
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Leeds
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    DusThaNoIII, Mar 30, 2017
    #5
  6. fit

    fitzytyke2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2016
    Messages:
    7,146
    Likes Received:
    3,326
    Trophy Points:
    113
    We were with N Power for quite some time. My work had taken a dip during the recession, and we got behind and ended up on a payment plan.

    It wasn't until things were better and we were able to pay the arrears and switch, that I realised how much we'd been overpaying to them.

    We switched to Ovo and saved a lot, and now with First Utility. Both decent companies and don't have your pants down, in fact I've just moved my landline and broadband to First Utility as well.



    Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk
     
    fitzytyke2, Mar 30, 2017
    #6
    DusThaNoIII likes this.
  7. Mr Badger

    Mr Badger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2011
    Messages:
    9,889
    Likes Received:
    8,375
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Fillingham
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    Ask them what colour and size they are. You know it's the way forward.
    :)
     
    Mr Badger, Mar 31, 2017
    #7
  8. tyr

    tyrone1 Banned Idiot

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2011
    Messages:
    8,815
    Likes Received:
    358
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    Ofgem
     
    tyrone1, Mar 31, 2017
    #8
  9. DEETEE

    DEETEE Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2011
    Messages:
    10,230
    Likes Received:
    2,188
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    The supplier are well within their rights to report to a credit reference agency should they so wish.

    Ombundsman is a waste of time as there will still be an outstanding balance due. Which would still have to be paid. Unless you drop lucky and they bin it.

    I suspect that they are trying to lump in the last bill due to the previous/tenant in yours.

    Email chris.gauld@sparkenergy.co.uk entitle it formal complaint olus your ref in subject.

    Reitterate same in the start of the email and it has to be treated as such.

    Content is date and read you moved in til change over read.

    Tell him you will pay a bill for this amount.

    Until his company does so you consider the debt to be in dispute and will not enter any further corrospomdence chasing this estimated amount

    And so forth.
     
    DEETEE, Mar 31, 2017
    #9

Share This Page