NPower

[cr15py]

Hi guys

I'm not sure if you can be any help, but here goes....

I am in an IVA (approved 11/01/08), and prior to that I changed my bank account, as HSBC were one of my creditors. I am now with LloydsTSB.

I was told my DDRs would be transferred from 26/11/07. My NPower DD was due on the 26th of the month. I checked my bank statement, and it hadn't gone through. Prior to receiving a letter from NPower, I had sent my cheque for £45 (my monthly DD amount) and explained my situation. I got a "we want the whole £157 you owe letter" from NPower. I wrote back, and explained the situation - and heard nothing further.

On 27/12/07, my NPower DD was due out again, it didn't go out. Again, I sent a cheque for £45 - received the same letter and phoned them this time [04/01/08]. They still want the £157. I explained I cannot pay it until I get paid on 25th January. The lady I spoke to said she would make a note on my file.

Yesterday, someone called at my house at 1:15 when I was at work to discuss my position, and explained that if they call again it will be with a court summons, a locksmith and they will charge me £23.50.

I am scared to be honest, I cannot afford to pay the £157 until 25th January, and that will leave me short next month as it is. What do you suggest? I assume this amount cannot be counted in my IVA?

Any help greatfully appreciated.

Thank you for listening.

Chris

Visit my blog at http://cr15py.blogs.iva.co.uk

[wen]

My advice is that if you have been paying the £45 by cheque (and i take they are cashing them!), to say to Npower that you want to set up a new direct debit agreement of £45 a month. Give them your new bank details and away you go.

Firstly, the way they see it is that you have no DD set up now so as per their T & C then the outstanding amount is due immediately.

Secondly, energy companies are probably the worst people in the world for threatening letters, afterall most people when I worked in the Post Office waited for the final demand/court action letter before paying as the money was "better in my account than theirs..." If you have told them you'll pay at the end of the month, then they'll wait until then. Remember collection staff get paid commission on what they can get out of you on the spot right? So by telling you that, if you could afford a payment you would have paid there and then? [;)]

Finally, let this be a lesson to others who transfer their bank accounts:

*DO THE DIRECT DEBITS / STANDING ORDERS YOURSELF!*

Firstly it reminds you to get rid of any dormant direct debits that you just don't need anymore, and secondly it keeps *YOU* in control.

Literally the phonecalls to suppliers take a few minutes of your time and you can then ring your old bank and cancel the old ones. If you have internet banking you can then see them popping up well before their due date and stay proactive to ensure they are in place in time for your payment dates.

I hear so many stories about DD's being transferred late/wrong/never from banks that I just don't trust them, and although they offer all these "guarantees" to pay you £10 or whatever if they get it wrong, £10 is not going to help your situation with NPower!

Moral of the story, as with so many different situations in IVA's/BR's - be proactive!

*I should also add, that while you think you are doing the right thing by sending cheques for £45, NPower will not see this as replacement for their DD schemes as the prices you are being charged are probably discounted (!) due to the savings they make by you paying by Direct Debit.

[cr15py]

OK, thanks for that wen.

Yes, they are cashing my cheques!

All my other direct debits came across absolutely fine. There was one which was due to come out on the 25th, which I knew wouldn't be paid - but I sorted that one.

To be honest, NPower's customer services are appalling, and as soon as the balance is cleared, I shall be changing suppliers anyway!

Thanks again wen [:)]

Chris

Visit my blog at http://cr15py.blogs.iva.co.uk

[wen]

Poor NPower customer service? That doesn't surprise my cr15py!

Sorry if my first post sounded like I was having a go at you - I promise I wasn't, it is banks and their cock-ups that really ruffle my feathers at times!!

Even if your intention is to switch, then still ring up, possibly offer to pay say £70 for a couple of months to clear the balance rather than hand over the £157 and really hurt yourself with your budget thereafter.

Like I said though, ring up and give them your new bank details, and you'll find the problem will probably just go away!

P.S. if you do think of switching, just wait for the NPower begging letters!! Also take a look at www.payonebill.co.uk as the Utility Warehouse do a dual fuel package that guarantees to be ALWAYS cheaper than British Gas and your local electricity supplier, everything comes on one bill and you pay one direct debit at the end of the month... they do great deals on landline/mobile/broadband. I am with them and the customer service is UK and excellent!

[cr15py]

It's OK Wen - I didn't take offence at the post! I have contacted NPower, and they wanted immediate payment. When I informed them I couldn't do this, they advised me to put a cheque in the post today post-dated the 25th and they will "make a note on my file".

It will be a struggle next month, but I have a decent chunk of overtime that will sort it out.

Thanks again Wen. [:)]

PS - I don't have gas, so duel-fuel isn't applicable to me. I've been on uswitch's website though and looked at what's on offer.

Chris

Visit my blog at http://cr15py.blogs.iva.co.uk

[wen]

Still have a look at the website I mentioned because they do Gas or Electric on their own too, so they may still guarantee cheaper electric than NPower. Worth a call at worst.

[cr15py]

OK Wen, will do - thanks [:)]

Chris

Visit my blog at http://cr15py.blogs.iva.co.uk