GB Energy Collapse – Anyone affected?

Unknown
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edited November 2016 in General Chat #1
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  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #2
  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
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    edited November 2016 #3

    Never heard of them to be honest  but there is no shortage of energy suppliers.

    v9

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #4
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  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited November 2016 #5

    Yes, we were with GB Energy.  

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #6

    Well, so long as the gas and electric keeps coming down the pipe and wires (as I believe you've been assured it will) then you have no problem.

    Just transfer to another supplier in due course and you will only pay for what you've had.

    What's the problem?

     

  • Sootyvandriver
    Sootyvandriver Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited November 2016 #7

    The problem is the £350 credit I have with them. Surprised

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #8

    Ah yes, that would be a problem.

    Why on earth did you build up all that credit? 

    I suggest that you don't transfer until you are forced to do so.....to give you chance to burn off some of the credit.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #9
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  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited November 2016 #10

    Sadly I owe them money Don't cry.

    We do too, but it looks to be less than £30 Smile

  • Sootyvandriver
    Sootyvandriver Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited November 2016 #11

    Ah yes, that would be a problem.

    Why on earth did you build up all that credit? 

    I suggest that you don't transfer until you are forced to do so.....to give you chance to burn off some of the credit

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited November 2016 #12

    Feel sorry for all those who were affected by this companies collapse. Hope you all get sorted out soon.

  • Sootyvandriver
    Sootyvandriver Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited November 2016 #13

    We are an all electric houshold with air source heat pump powering the underfloor heating.

    I have been trying to get GB energy to reduce the amount of monthly paymets for some time now. Ironically tonight I noticed on my latest bank statement they finaly reduced my payments from £100 per month to £20. 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #14

    Feel sorry for all those who were affected by this companies collapse. Hope you all get sorted out soon.

    Plus 1.

    All this from the experts about changing suppliers for the cheapest deals. I do hope others don't follow GB Energy. As usual Joe public blamed for not doing something about high bills but when this happens can you blame people for sticking to big names or
    being apprehensive????

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #15

    This is the problem with suppliers who take a monthly payment that does not reflect the amount of energy used. They will nearly always take too much, so that they are in credit.

    With First Utilty, you can submit actual meter readings each month and pay (in arears) for what you have actually used.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #16
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  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #17

    This is the problem with suppliers who take a monthly payment that does not reflect the amount of energy used. They will nearly always take too much, so that they are in credit.

    With First Utilty, you can submit actual meter readings each month and pay (in arears) for what you have actually used.

    Only if the customer agrees.  

    They base it on an estimated usage......their estimate.

    I'm sure you are correct tbat the customer could dispute the amount per month.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #18
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  • Sootyvandriver
    Sootyvandriver Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited November 2016 #19

    To be fair to GB Energy they requested a meter reading each month.  If the customer provided this then the monthly DD was based upon actual usage.  In any event if the provider of any goods or services wants to alter a DD amount they are required to give
    the customer prior notice so that the change can be discussed.

    I submitted readings to GB Energy monthly. The only time the monthly payment altered it was upwards. As I have a £350 credit with them I cant accept the premise that the payments are based on 'actual usage'

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #20
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  • Sootyvandriver
    Sootyvandriver Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited November 2016 #21

    To be fair to GB Energy they requested a meter reading each month.  If the customer provided this then the monthly DD was based upon actual usage.  In any event if the provider of any goods or services wants to alter a DD amount they are required to give
    the customer prior notice so that the change can be discussed.

    I submitted readings to GB Energy monthly. The only time the monthly payment altered it was upwards. As I have a £350 credit with them I cant accept the premise that the payments are based on 'actual usage'

    Did you not challenge their adjustment?

    Yes but it took months for them to register a change to the direct debit, down from £100 per month to £20 per month. With hindsight I should have cancelled the direct debit with my bank rather than enter into dialogue with a utility company in the first
    place.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #22
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  • tombar
    tombar Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited November 2016 #23

    WinkNever heard of them - probably why they went into liquidation

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited November 2016 #24

    It was said on Radio 5 this lunchtime, by Martin Lewis, that anyone who was with GB Energy should do nothing at the moment. All phone lines to both GB Energy and OfGem on this subject are down. There has recently been a scheme started by OffGen which ensures
    that any user of a failed energy com-any will be provided with power and put onto another supplier's scheme. This may take a little while and you will then be on a Standard Tarriff, and can then decided to switch, but don't do it yet!!!!

    From the Guardian 4hrs ago :-

    What happens if I am a GB Energy customer?

    Nothing yet – your lights and central heating will continue to come on as if nothing had happened. Behind the scenes, the energy regulator Ofgem is currently in negotiations to
    appoint what is known as a “supplier of last resort”, a company to which all GB Energy’s customers will be moved en-mass, probably sometime next week.

    Last month the regulator rather fortuitously announced it had put in place a safety
    net
     to guarantee that any customer who had built up a big credit balance with their supplier won’t lose out.

    Domestic energy customers can often be hundreds of pounds in credit at this time of the year, ahead of the peak winter usage period when bills are much higher. Ofgem is looking to appoint a supplier that will in effect honour any credit that GB Energy customers
    have built up – in return for effectively scooping 160,000 customers.

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
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    edited November 2016 #25

    I may be wrong but i was under the impression that energy suppliers were not allowed to build up a large "in credit" amount on a monthly account ?

    v9.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #26
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  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
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    edited November 2016 #27

    Well this is it DD what is the definition and are ofgen keeping an eye on the situation.Far too many aspects of the energy supply industry are blurred and very difficult to pin down.You can be on the right tariff one day and not the next so its virtually
    impossible to say you are over the lengh of a year that you are getting the best deal.

    v9

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited November 2016 #28

    Has just been announced that the Co-op Energy wiil be the new supplier to those that were with GB Energy. See Below from BBC News

     Co-operative Energy will take on all 160,000 customers of collapsed firm GB Energy on their existing price tariff.

    The firm said it would also honour outstanding credit balances for both current and past customers.

    Energy regulator Ofgem said if customers wished to change energy provider they would be able to do so without any exit charge.

    Ofgem said it had chosen Co-operative Energy after "a competitive process to get the best deal possible".

    All GB Energy's staff will be transferred on the same terms to Co-operative Energy.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #29
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  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited November 2016 #30

    Thanks for the heads up NTH.  I will stay with the Co-op a month or so then move on as I was about to move from GB Energy when they collapsed.  

    That was what Martin Lewis advised for anyone who was affected. Don't change until you find out what your new charges will be, but be ready to change as soon as. Energy prices are going up by the day, seemingly.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #31
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