EDF Problem - The Owner / Occupier Letters

[Groovy1]

My problem is with EDF, having switched from British Gas Oct/Nov 2011, as EDF hadn't upped their prices according to Martin Lewis' adivice. That seemed to be all fine, a better deal, agreed to pay by direct debit for both gas and electric and got £15 cashback. At end of Feb beginning of March I switched to Utility Warehouse as a customer and since become a distributor, recommending to others, they've switched my electric over no problem but not been able to transfer gas because of EDF refusing.

The past few months I've been receiving letters from EDF addressed to Owner / Occupier asking for payment on gas bill. I wasn't too happy about this, appeared EDF were trying to charge me twice / made a mistake. I phoned EDF March 19th, they said to disregard these as bills were not my name or same contract.

Recently I checked the direct debit payments on my bank account online, confirming this showed all these months EDF hadn't taken payment from my bank account for the gas, only electricity. So now accrued a big bill of £276.70, as of May 1st, 2012 to our address.

The problem is I'm now in limbo. I don't have an account with EDF, as switched to Utility Warehus, but they are still supplying gas to my address. I accept, if that amount is correct for our gas usage over the period I should pay it, but I don't have that sum of money to pay off the bill to clear the account. Plus I don't agree it's fair I should pay that full sum when they've inconvienced me buy not taking the monthly payments as per the agreement in the contract.

I've received a letter from British Gas, trying to get me to return to them, stating EDF have been underhanded in their dealings with some people:

"A recent investigation by Ofgem found that EDF had not been complying with important industry rules when it sold energy to some customers. You may have seen the news with the Financial Times reporting EDF had 'reached the deal with Ofgem by acknowledging shortcomings in the way they sold some services'. EDF has now agreed to make payments amounting to £4.5 million benefiting consumers."

Not sure how that helps me, but I need some ammunition before I contact EDF, I don't want to just ignore it and let the amount keep building up while they are supplying me gas.

I don't expect to get away without paying for the gas supplied, just not happy with demands at our address for the sum currently at £276.70 as from May 1st, 2012. Ideally I'd like them to deduct a percentage for the inconvenience, allow me to pay off in agreed installments and complete my transfer to UW.

Any help would be appreciated on how to approach this, cheers

[Groovy1]

Just a quick update.

I've phoned EDF to try and sort this problem out, stating their representative back in March said to ignore the bills addressed to the Owner / Occupier, but I've realised upon checking my bank account online that the monthly direct debit for the gas hasn't been deducted. Told them I'm willing to pay for the gas we've used if the bill is correct but not happy with paying full amount because we've been inconvenienced due to EDF's incompetence. The agreement in the contract was that the money would be deducted each month automatically from our account, I put to them that the contract has been broken by EDF.

Anyway they said they'd add the amount to my account and the representative's manager would get back to me. No phone call from the manager, just a letter saying sorry to hear you are leaving us, you need to pay the outstanding amout before we can close account and switch provider.

I don't really get Accepted for Value etc, but understand a little about the legal fiction and contracts being something agreed to by 2 parties. I'm just a bit confused as what to do here. I've been straight forward and honest with them about their mistake but they don't want acknowledge their incompetence. And now it's just back to me still not having a contract with them yet they are asking for this money that keeps mounting up

[Groovy1]

Just spotted this:

EDF insider tells Ofgem of chaos at call centres as complaints soar

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2099837/EDF-insider-tells-Ofgem-chaos-centres-complaints-soar.html

One of the comments:

The worst customer service ever and I have moved my account to a differenmt supplier based solely on my experiences of EDF. They failed to collect direct debits, failed to collect the right direct debit....you have to wait loner that 40 mins to get to speak to someone... who then cuts you off....emails go unanswered....complaints are handled appallingly with no response and situations remaining unresolved. Avoid EDF like the plague!!!

[WorldElite]

Just spotted this:

EDF insider tells Ofgem of chaos at call centres as complaints soar

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2099837/EDF-insider-tells-Ofgem-chaos-centres-complaints-soar.html

One of the comments:

The worst customer service ever and I have moved my account to a differenmt supplier based solely on my experiences of EDF. They failed to collect direct debits, failed to collect the right direct debit....you have to wait loner that 40 mins to get to speak to someone... who then cuts you off....emails go unanswered....complaints are handled appallingly with no response and situations remaining unresolved. Avoid EDF like the plague!!!

Nice find mate I am with them at the minute, but may change soon, but no problems with our household using them.