I changed to London Electric for my Gas and Electric 3 years ago.

As all gas and electric firms use the same grid the decision is based purely on price and Customer Service. I chose to pay by Direct Debit. The electric side sorted this but the gas side found it too difficult to arrange so I just got bills every quarter.

After a few months I calculated it was costing me extra to be on Economy 7 Tariff so I called them to change my meter back to the standard tariff. After a second call the meter was changed.

Now my trouble began. Every quarter the guy came to read the meter, scratched his head, and went on his way. Every quarter I received an estimated bill on the old Economy 7 tariff. I would phone them up and remind them I was not on Economy 7 and they said they would sort it. Sure enough nothing was done and 3 months later it all started again. Remember London Electric were Direct Debiting my account monthly based on a meter that I didn't have.

A couple of months ago I figured enough was enough I cancelled the Direct Debit and I persevered with them and they sent me a new bill based on the reading I gave them on my real meter. To my horror, they worked out that I owed them loads of money because they had back dated to when my meter was at zero! Anyway, after complaining, I have received another bill, then another all with different figures. It became apparent that they were just making up numbers and doubling them. They then worked out what electric I had used that week and applied that figure for the previous 3 years. I was furious, it was January, cold days and long nights = high electric usage.

Out of the many bills they sent me, I picked the cheapest one, payed it and signed up with another supplier.

Beware. It doesn't matter how cheap the tariff is if the company is unable to read the meter