[Tylisha]

So furious right now. For two whole years I have been fighting with EON for an accurate ESTIMATE! They are estimating that I am going to use 37867kwh….. this has not changed in the last year, despite the actual figure being only 5960kwh for the previous 12 months! It was a similar figure for the 12 months previous to that! I am forever having to call and tell them to reduce the direct debit back down, to which I am already overpaying about £50 per month (currently in almost £600 credit, after three months of not paying a bill due to having to cancel the direct debit because they refused to reduce it back to £180, which is what I have been paying per month for the last year, and still in credit!!)
Anyway, when I am trying to get a better deal elsewhere, but the other suppliers are basing their costing on the estimated usage figures from Eon. Eon are saying it’s the system that calculates it, but come on, 6 times over is a guesstimate, not an estimate! Maybe 5-10% over current usage for the previous 12 months, but 6 times?! Really!
is it only me with this problem. I’m sick to my back teeth now, I’m fed up of having to keep calling, to be told they will fix the issue, for them not to fix it. I’m sick of not being able to shop around for gas and electric, it’s almost as if they have done it on purpose knowing that we won’t be able to change supplier!
today I’ve threatened to raise a dispute with the ombudsman, they claim they are going to fix the issue in the next 7 days……I won’t hold my breath!
If they did this to every customer they will be making millions in interest alone! Check your estimates vs your usage, because what you pay each month (unless your variable) is calculated from their guesstimates!

[meldrewreborn]

@Tylisha

the estimated figures are based on data from an industry wide database and is not in the hands of Eon Next or any other supplier. I’ve had problems myself but nothing approaching this level.
One immediate solution is to opt for paying variable direct debit rather than fixed direct debit. Essentially this means to pay in arrears the previous months bill.
the EAC thus becomes academic and allows some breathing space in which to get matters sorted.
For reasons that few understand (including me) it seem to be nigh on impossible to get EAC data amended and it causes no end of issues. Your readings are supposed to inform the EAC and the readings involved cover a two year period with most recent consumption carrying more weight. But many other factors are involved too. So my advice is to switch to variable DD, then make a complaint and be prepared to take it to the ombudsman , if necessary.

just one other thing, how often is your account updated with actual meter readings?

[retrotecchie]

@Tylisha

Which is why a lot of us prefer variable...you pay for what you use, no more no less. If you want to have your cake and eat it, open another bank account. Transfer a fixed amount every month for what you think your fixed monthly payment should be, then have them take the variable DD from that. If you are ahead of the game, transfer some back. If you are behind the curve, transfer a little more in. With online banking or phone apps, these things can be done in moments.

Would you set up a fixed DD with Tesco or Sainsburys every month for your grocery shopping? No. Why should your energy be any different? Fixed monthly direct debits for a variable commodity are a mug's game. It's a pain to get your money back if they owe you and you've already seen that they can't work out your usage. Interest on your money is their money and just like a casino, the house always wins.

The sooner fixed Direct Debits for variable consumption products is outlawed, the better.

[Mailman]

Originally Posted by meldrewreborn

@Tylisha
the estimated figures are based on data from an industry wide database and is not in the hands of Eon Next or any other supplier. I’ve had problems myself but nothing approaching this level.
One immediate solution is to opt for paying variable direct debit rather than fixed direct debit. Essentially this means to pay in arrears the previous months bill.
the EAC thus becomes academic and allows some breathing space in which to get matters sorted.

+ 1 from someone who also pays via this method. You need to contact Eon Next by phone to get them to have it set up if that is what you decide to do.

[WizzyWigg]

@Tylisha

The estimated annual consumption is a set of rolling figures attached to each property with a separate domestic supply

These are held within centralised industry databases and regularly sent to your energy supplier

These figures are calculated based on your meter readings - your suppliers will be sending records of those readings regularly to the databases

The figures are updated regularly based on your meter readings, but as the records stretch over a few years any updates will be marginal - if your energy usage habits change drastically in a short period of time, it will take a while for the figures to catch up, though they will eventually

The more accurate meter readings you provide to your supplier the higher the chance that the estimates will be accurate

If you find that the figures are incorrect for your property, suppliers cannot quickly update the centrally held numbers - you'll need to submit monthly meter readings and wait for it to slowly adjust to the correct figure.

[Tommysgirl]

@Tylisha

I pay by variable DD too, because I've had ridiculous calculations for fixed DDs in the past, not from Eon Next, (because I've always paid by variable DD with them), from other suppliers. British Gas were the worst in my case. If I ever have to call Eon Next Customer Services for any reason they try to persuade me to change to a fixed DD but I always refuse. If you do call them to change to variable, insist they do it while you are on the phone, and I'd ask them to send you an email to confirm they've set it up for you.

[meldrewreborn]

It should be noted that not every supplier permits payment by variable direct debit. So be wary of going elsewhere if you want that payment method to continue.
@WizzyWigg - we? Have you joined the staff?

I personally pay by fixed DD and have no problems with it. Others feel differently - so long as you can cope with much higher bills in the winter than summer variable DD is a sensible option.

[WizzyWigg]

Originally Posted by meldrewreborn

@WizzyWigg - we? Have you joined the staff?

Well spotted. Definitely haven't crossed the line. 🙃 Talking and typing at the same time is not recommended.

[Tylisha]

I have lived in the property for 2.5 years, before that, it was empty for 12 months, before that it was occupied by a single lady from being built in 1967.

there has been no chance in usage in the last 2 and a half years.

it’s not the cost that is frustrating, it’s the fact that any new supplier bases their estimates on the same figures, them figures are the problem because they are so high in comparison to the actual usage. I’m trying to shop around and getting the same rubbish no matter where I go because of them estimates.

There are loads of cheaper deals about but I can’t find them due to the figures being so off, so when I’m looking I’m getting anything from 3-400 per month direct debit charge, when I know I’m only using about 110 per month.

[meldrewreborn]

@Tylisha

I doubt that there are loads of cheaper deals, but a time I’ve switched in the past.my payments have been based on my estimate of consumption not the EAC. But I fully recognise the problems an incorrect EAC can cause, problems that we can all do without.

the root cause is the industry wide database not reflecting you actual consumption. It is supposed to receive updated data from the supplier which then runs through the models within the database which then spits out a revised estimate. My own problem was that my EAC didn’t change for over 4 months despite much lower consumption. It did eventually catch up but no explanation was ever given. @Lee_EONNext what if anything did you find out as to the cause? @Tylisha if you look back over your bills how has the EAC changed in past 2 years? That information might help identify where the system is breaking down.