Energy Update - It went from bad to worse!
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- Find out what happened next with my energy company.
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We are a family of four, working hard to eat healthily, live frugally, pay off our mortgage early and save/invest for retirement. We’ve lived below the poverty line for many years and have now got our heads above that line. Our household income remains well below the national average in the UK but we have paid off all of our debt, including our mortgage.
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just wanted to check that you are ok Tess as you are very quiet. Thinking of you
Take care.
Hi Sue, Thank you, that's so kind :-). We're doing ok. I've just scheduled a video to go out tomorrw afternoon. xxx
Seriously Tess, imagine if someone had a serious heart condition getting that message !
Miss your videos. Hope all is well.
yes. I miss you.
Oh my, how frustrating ! I'm happy you were able to resolve it !
Thank goodness that direct debit didn't automatically go up, it's a different kettle of fish getting money returned. I won't use direct debit if I can get around it and pay extra to still get paper bills. Am glad you didn't sound extra stressed to existing stress.
wow! I would not be happy too! glad you resolved 5000 lb bill.
The power companies could get their billing programs to flag up bills that are anomalies so human beings can check them. It is such a shock to get that bill. Hugs to you. Well done.
Life used to be so simple..you used your gas, you used your electricity, they read the meter, sent you a bill and you paid your bill. Not any more! So glad you got it sorted though.x
It can still be that way in the States but I prefer being on a little payment plan twice a year you do a catch up if they underestimated your bill you pay the difference then they adjust the level payment amount
I'm so glad it was their mistake. It's a proper decision to change energy companies. You have had nothing but troubles from them. Do your research very well as to which energy company to switch too. Hope it gets better for you when you switch.
Sorry to hear your monthly payment has gone up! My monthly gas direct debits have doubled this month too. I'm not sure what will happen in the next price cap...probably worse to come. Our government should charge a windfall tax as the news says that fuel companies are reaching record profits....especially Shell....almost $40 billion!
You are always so upbeat 😊 Im with Shell and you can change the direct debit amount yourself on the app. They always put mine up but I just change it back 😂
Hi Tess, I'm glad you could resolve this, I cant even imagine that things like this can happen. Hope you are ok. Warm wishes. 💖
Oh my god i would be havin kittens . Im glad u got it sorted :)
My old electric meter jumped up 40,000 units in an afternoon. Rang and before they could replaced it, it went up 100,000 and then died. I read mine every Monday now, dont trust them or the companies.
Very frustrating but at least you got it resolved, I can't even imagine getting an almost $5,000 bill!
Yep happened to me too. Case opened and 3 weeks later still waiting to hear from British gas...so Im reading my own meter weekly now to ensure the readigs are right and hope someone gets back to me soon! Glad Shell energy sorted yours out for Tess.
Octopus is a good company to consider to move to.
Octopus 🐙 they have been excellent through all thus. They seem to have really good ethics and are pushing for 100%renewables . Good luck.
Yh theyre great company, with good ethics i was with them in past but they are expensive.
I've got similar problems with my supplier and their weird accounting system. Sick of it.
So glad you got that resolved! You certainly didn't need that kind of stress!
That would be a bill for a factory or something!! You would have to give me smelling salts after that bill! Figures are only as accurate as the data entry clerk inputting them, but when I did that job, there was always an audit of the batches before the final bill was sent. It sounds like they aren't in the habit of doing that any more. One less employee to pay. What a headache for you to deal with!
Omg 😱 what’s happened to this country. Thank goodness you’re ok x why as customers are we treated so badly. Swap to another energy provider, the £23 pounds extra a month is bullying. Don’t tolerate it. You control your meter reading through the app or website.
Hi Tess, just to wee message to say that I am thinking of you and your family.
The last 4 or 5 videos you haven't been yourself, almost on edge really and close to tears in a few.
I pray that you and your family are OK. Take care of yourself Tess x
Thank you so much. I'm ok and we are doing what we need to do. Us neurodivergent families have a lot to deal with. All's ok though and there's a new video out tomorrow x
Hi Tess, You have me watching my electric usage like a hawk ❤
You had me laughing when you were talking about cupboard doors hand signs.
I hadn't laughed much today until then. Thank you!🙂
I'm so glad!
Yep I totally agree about them wanting control.
We’ve never been on direct debit and people around us never understood why.
But I understand the hesitation to switch back as it’s to your financial detriment.
Thanks for sharing Tess x
Thinking of you, Tess. Take care of yourself.
Thank you so much Carolyn. We're doing ok. Got a video scheduled to go out tomorrow afternoon. xxx
Hi Tess, so glad to hear you have resolved this for now. I am on Budget Billing with Duke Energy in the US and they readjust the quarterly based on past usage. I've paid $146 a month for years I think. I just got notice that my bill will be $262 starting in April. This is based on an overage of $525 approximately in the past year. The good news is it gets readjusted in 3 months and we are not charged for it until after the fact. I hope you find a company that you can trust and respect without having to jump through hoops to keep them corrected.
I am in the US too and on a budget plan. My bill was recently adjusted and it went down by $7.00. I am sure it will go back up again as I have been using more now that it is winter.
Hope you're alright Tess. I'm in Australia and enjoyed having my cuppa in the morning and watching your videos. Life is so difficult at the moment for all of us, no matter where we are from. I could see that something was up from your demeanor in your last few videos.If it's personal I really wish you and your family well, sincerely. If it's life at the moment, don't let THEM beat you . All the governments of the world have a lot to answer for. They have completely stuffed the world up and I get very disheartened too. Some days it's an effort to put one foot in front of the other but we have to keep going don't we. Hope to see you soon Tess. If not, thank you for all your lovely videos, gonna miss you at Xmas. I love your Xmas videos. Take care.x
Hi Mushy, That's so kind of you. I'm sorry I've been absent recently. As you say, life can be tricky sometimes and something has to give. I've just uploaded a video to go out tomorrow (Friday) at 3.30 UK time. I hope you are doing ok. xxxx
The incompetency of some energy companies is just astounding. Don't they check where bills look unusual and try to investigate. Idiots! And they have no idea of the stress this causes their customers, especially in times like this. This is why I log my meter readings and my bills each month. You never know when you might need that back up information, and boy have I needed it in the past!
Don’t give up blogging. You are good at it. Anyway whatever if décidé I wish you well. Lots of us have difficult lives ar thémoment
Hi Susan, Thank you sooo much! I'm doing my best to keep it up as I love doing it. I've just scheduled a video to go out tomorrow afternoon. xxx
Octopus are amazing. I don't have a DD. Just do reads myself and enter on app and no problems at all so far ❤. Good luck x
Gosh, it's scary isn't it. Glad you were able to get it sorted out. I'd have been in a right panic!
I so agree. Everything is done by automation. I look like an old lady when I say that it was far easier to control these errors when humans were controlling these things.
You're my favourite youtuber - missing your posts!!
Thank you so much Katie! That's so lovely and kind of you. We're doing ok. I've just scheduled a video to go out tomorrow afternoon. xxx
We had our day rate and night rate reversed on E 7 and got a bill for £3000! Fortunately I spotted it on the meter readings , happened a few times as the computer kept reversing it.
That is why I am so worried about more AI coming down the line and being portrayed as "a great advancement". If we lose the human touch and "Computer Says No" we'll all be jiggered!!!!
I agree with you, Tess. That's not a good way to do business. I'm thankful you have gotten that resolved.
I had same thing with Eon, £800 gas in 3 weeks ... resolved after 3 panicked emails at 3am. Was adjusted by 5.30. Hope you get things sorted 🤞🏻
My problem was with eon next. I've just emailed them
@@angelenaboden I read the meter at 1am, was resolved around 4.30am. Been fine with me. Currently over £200 in credit
What a nightmare for you! We had a similar situation with our water bill. Normally around £200 our most recent bill was £750! My husband called to ask why it was so high and after giving the meter reading the person realised their rep had read the number wrong when they came to get it! All sorted and they actually thanked my husband for not shouting and getting angry - just shows the normal treatment they get in call centres 🙄
Oh my goodness I can't imagine getting a bill like that! The time it takes to get it correct is ridiculous as well!
You can pay by direct debit , but pay per use , which means you pay for the energy you’ve used that month
Think it's called variable direct debit but not all energy companies offer it
Where do we see the direct debit discount on our bills? It used to show on your bill as a dual fuel DD discount years ago, now you see the unit price x by the number of units used, plus standing charge, plus VAT and that is what you pay. So are these companies saying we would be paying a higher unit price if we pay per bill?
I listened to that podcast and heard that it was for a week. Then I made a list of everything I could remember that we’ve eaten in the last few days that came from plants. We are getting 30 easily. You need to remember that spices herbs, and seeds count as well. Great podcast!
Tess, you are handling all of this with such grace and persistence. I hate that this is happening to you. I have to pay extra here to have control, and I don't like it either, but I feel I must take this position, because they could wipe my account out with one of these errors. I agree you must change providers. It helped me when I did that. Best wishes for a calm March for you and your family.
Don't apologize, Tess. You have every right to be upset. Glad you were able to get it resolved. It's a good thing you are so vigilant with your budget and persistent. The feeling of the lack of control we have with these corporations is very frustrating. I hope it's smoother sailing from now on. There are areas in the US that are having similar problems with paying for drinking water that they can't drink.
We have had a Cosori Air fryer recall here in Canada, USA and Mexico, not sure about UK though.
That’s the problem,they depend on the computers word to much.
As you say that £23 is the stick with which they beat us, it is horrible to feel so trapped where you can be charged for not going along with a companies preference, we should pay for what we use only. It is so wrong with how companies now have us over a barrel where the competitors are just as bad as each other and there is little competition in the market. I feel and share your anger and frustration.
They’re holding your debit hostage. We have no direct debit. If we’re charged more for the ‘privilege’, i don’t know it, and i’m okay with that. Someone always has their hand out. So frustrating! So happy you got it sorted!
Hi Tess, I’m with Shell too. It would be great if you could continue your updates when issues arise as your updates are so helpful. I had a credit of several hundred pound until recently. I checked my account half way through listening to this video. I see I’ve just had a very large bill which cannot be justified based on my actual energy usage. My credit is now down to about £9. I’m going to have to get in touch with them too. I see that at least one if your other viewers has found Octopus good. I’m considering changing. Thanks for all that you do!
Loved this video Tess, loved it. Hitting the nail right on the head x
Hi Tess, If I was in this position, I would open a separate bank account for your energy direct debit. If it is possible,close to the time that your bill is calculated,take a reading and then fund the bank account with a bit of a buffer. This way I would be in control and not have to be nervous. Take care.
❤
I think they should give you a sorry for the stress by giving you money off your next bill for all the stress they put on you.
Oh my goodness 5,000. That will make you get the stress sweats. Glad you were able to resolve the problem.
I live in Central Illinois in the states my bill for heating and cooling in January was $199.91 the one I received for February was 165.38 I keep my thermostat on 68. I've never had these high bills in the twenty years I've lived in my house.
Glad you got everything straightened out
You can adjust your DD on the shell app.
Oh my gracious I can’t imagine the frustration!
Oh my goodness. I would still be smacked out on the floor. They gave a tendency to estimate the electric bills here in the states and I loathe it. You always get screwed when they do. I must say you see looking very lovely today in those colors. Blessings to all ❤
Sounds like Shell has you coming and going. Either you pay by direct debit and face the possibility they will increase it at their whim and then you have to sort it out, or you have to pay what amounts to almost blackmail, if you want some autonomy over your own money. What a racket! And I bet there are people who don't keep good track of their bill or don't understand and the company gets away with money they are not entitled to. Criminal! Hope you change to another company soon!
Tess, what a massive stress this has all been, wishing some calm time now for you 😮
Oh my goodness, I think that I would have needed resuscitation after seeing a bill like that.
So sorry to hear about the shocking experience! 😮 Although on a lighter note, I watched your other video the other day and since remembered it to be during a week 😅
So happy you got the bill sorted out💥
Big hugs Tess what a phenomenal shock 😞. We use Ovo and have been very satisfied with them x
I’m so glad you sorted it out! Phew!
I recently had an issue with my supplier. I was paying a set regular monthly payment by direct debit.
I have now switched to paying at the end of each month, the amount I have used during that time.... Again by direct debit.
I don't believe I incur any charges and I am notified in plenty of time the amount that is due, should there be any issues I can contact them. Hope this helps.
Glad they resolved it for you quickly
What a nightmare,I feel sorry for vulnerable people who are not able to fight there corner.xx🐝🐝🐝
Me too. I'm very much up for battling it out with them. I worry for the people who can't.
Hi Tess. You are my favorite youtuber. Miss you .
Hi Susana! That's so kind, thank you. I'm ok and just scheduling a video to go live tomorrow afternoon.
Oh fantastic! Looking forward 😘
So glad to hear that everything is sorted. Is there any way one can ask the bank to put on a maximum limit for specific direct debits? We keep getting postcards asking us to arrange for a smart meter but when we call up they are not installing in this area. How much money do they waste on these advertising drives when they know the service is not available in our area? .
I think you would be happier with E.O.N.
Me too, never had a problem (bar one wrong reading last Oct) ... resolved in 2hrs at 3am. I send readings each month now on same day they read it
I’m with Shell they are appalling. Will change provider as soon as it makes sense to.
Tess I feel for you I had mine meter changed a number of years ago and they said it was 2,000.I nearly fainted and said like you I’m very frugal with use and have roughly paid the same over the years anyway to cut the story shorter I had to pay 400.00 which was still a lot but not as bad as what they asked for cheeky beggars .take care.x
Am in usa water bills r high
This is absolutely infuriating. It could have put a vulnerable person in a dreadful state. I’m glad you were able to sort it but you’d think with all the technology they could create a system to flag up when a bill is wildly out of line like that so a human being could check it before sending it to the customer.
I do not want to pay more on my direct debit & would rather call and make a one off top up payment if necessary. I think that can be done online as well as adjusting the DD.
The utility companies are making more than enough profit !!
Quite quickly resolved however should not have happened. We need to fight the digital currency. We've already had a random standing order cancelled by a glitch in the bank system. I didn't know till I had a phone call saying I'd not paid. Our electric bill has taken 6 weeks to be sorted💚
That may have caused quite a shock for some poor soul .
I'm with British gas and at present pay by direct debit but as they only give me a bill every 6 months I'm struggling to monitor my monthly usage. I send a meter reading each month and get a 'this doesn't look right' message which I'm presuming is because it's lower than estimated.
I've been researching moving to a variable direct debit so that I keep the direct debit reduction but have more understanding of what I'm actually using each month. Martin Lewis has a good piece in this as well as a list of energy firms that offer variable direct debit as not all do.
It is disgraceful, almost like legalised fraud. I'm no longer with British Gas, but I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.
It happened 2 us with British Gas.
That's absolutely rediculas how on earth do they get that xx
Technology - progress - Ha ! Can't be doing with it ! You can't talk to computers !!! Where is the world going ? Years ago we had a post office savings account . The limit to draw cash per day was £50. I drew that amount ---- the next thing we knew £500 !!! Pounds had been drawn out ! Nightmare ! Took weeks to sort out ! Their fault completely ! How could I draw £500 when limit was £50 !!! We didn't have a lot in bank then so was getting overdrawn 🥺 Eventually got sorted but not a nice experience . 🥴 Similar thing to energy companies - they have no right to take money that's not theirs . 😡
The worry is that false bills could be sent to someone who is not able to speak up for themselves.
British Gas went through a spell some years ago, where they were sending out quarterly bills that were so wrong they were unbelievable. A friend received one, telephoned and the BG lady said ' Are you going to pay it then ' You can imagine my friend's answer!
Shortly after, there was a consumers' programme on tv about British Gas .Many of these incorrect bills had been sent out.and elderly and vulnerable folk had been deeply distressed by the thought of owing so much money.
£23 extra for paying each month what you owe ! Time to ditch Shell ,Tess !
Absolutely Betty! You are right and that's why I wanted to talk about it publicly.
Hi do you now keep a record of your monthly of your readings?
Demand compensation for your time and stress. If we don't hurt these companies financially then they will keep on behaving like this. You are an intelligent and kind lady with a good heart but imagine you were elderly or not (how do I put this to be politically correct and not offend folk) as smart as you or otherwise confused. For the sake of those people, us competent folk need to make these companies wake up and realise that their business depends on customers!
With a direct debit the company has control, if you change to an automatic payment you have control, can they not let you change to an automatic payment, are still getting their money every month, but you can increase the payment when you want to
I hate to say it but a lot of people wouldn’t have called so the company could push this by them. Especially the elderly are often unwilling to call and argue a charge. Happened to my mom. She was embarrassed to show me the bill months later. Needless to say I negotiated her bill down quite a bit. I think the company was going to fight me but I did have Power of Attorney and she got on the phone to tell them that she was unable to deal with this issue. It really is quite like taking advantage of people, isn’t it?
It doesn’t cost you extra to pay for what you use monthly with octopus. Edit to say, I don’t work for octopus. 😀
Haha :-)
!!!!!!
I am so sorry that you've had to have this unnecessary stress put on you! You need some time now to sit in your favorite chair and sip on some tea to destress.
Yes! Thank you!
I have resisted having a ‘smart’ meter to avoid the horrible experiences you have had with your billing. It’s monstrous. You should press for compensation for the stress and unnecessary headache it has been You would be completely justified. Machines and computers managing people …. bound to go tits up eh ?
Don't worry Tess we all can make little boo boos and yours was minuscule.