Gas and Electric suppliers

[sarsy_c]

I'm at the end of my tether with mine (Utility Warehouse). They've been charging an extra £3 a month for the last year over under a second direct debit that I've only just spotted.

So i rang, that depatment had 'gone home' but i was told this is the monthly fee for being a seller. I was like what the hell, I'm not a seller?!

So I wrote a letter. Then when that went ignored I wrote another. Then when that went ignored another. Then when that went ingored I emailed asking why I was being ingored. Then again what that was ignored. Finally last week I'd had enough and sent them an email saying if there was no response in 48 hours i'd cancel BOTH direct debits. So hey presto, nothing, so I cancelled them.

Letter arrived yeserday asking me to set it up again or a 10% surcharge will apply each month. So I've called them to explain why i cancelled, and have been put on hold for well over 5 minutes AFTER speaking with someone. So I kept calling back (they answer straight away initially!) and saying this wasn acceptable as I'm paying for this call and demanded someone call me back.

Well that as 40 minutes ago and I have 101 things to do today so politely, they can f right off!

Only thing is, they do a good deal - I pay £25 gas and £15 elec each month, this never changes even when i use more, i'll just pay off any excess at the end of the financial year. I know a lot of companies let you 'choose' your payments but then just put them up willy nilly.

Who is everyone else with and what deals? I live alone and work full-time so I'm usually on a low-mid tarriff but I dont want to pay more than £40 pcm because that's what I'm used to. I did shop around a bit ago and most had a £50 minimum and it says if you're using more, they'll just it up.

Any advice/ideas would be welcommed for when I return because I'm now going out so tough cookies if they ring. I'll write them another letter to the man who sent me this letter, then they cant claim they havent got anything!

[Jojo185]

Hi sarah, I have been with scottish power for the last 7 years and have no complaints at all. When I lived on my own in a 2 bed semi I was paying similar to you, then when me & Ian bought a bigger house obviously it went up but not greatly. I am on a tariff wherby every 3 months they e-mail me and ask for meter readings. If I have been paying too much they lower my DD, if I owe them they increase it but only because your account in in the red. Three months later I requested it be put back to original amount and they were happy to do so. I find their staff to always be polite & helpful too.