Status: 14.12.2021 2:31 p.m.
Because of the high gas prices, utilities are currently stopping deliveries and terminating contracts almost every day. Often a shock for those affected. What consumers need to do and what to look out for.
The sharp rise in gas prices is driving more and more providers to bankruptcy. Your business model collapses and you have to quit your customers. Most recently, it hit the utility gas.de with its Grünwelt Energie brand. He terminated all gas supply contracts and stopped supply. He cites the “unprecedented price explosion” on the European natural gas market as the reason.
For those affected, this is a frightening situation in the middle of winter. But actually there is no need to worry because the consumers are automatically covered by the replacement supply. “In such cases, the local basic suppliers take over the delivery without creating a gap. So nobody will have to sit in a cold apartment because of the termination,” says Lenia Baga, lawyer at the consumer advice center Schleswig-Holstein.
The basic supplier is always the company that supplies most of the customers in a certain network area. Often, but not always, it is the local public utility or other municipal company. Consumers now have the option of canceling the basic supplier without notice and switching to a cheaper tariff – provided they can find such a provider.
Be careful when switching to a new provider
Because the conditions of the numerous providers can be very different, consumer advocates recommend using comparison portals such as Check 24 or Verivox. However, the searchers should take a closer look: Many providers advertise with bonus payments that make the tariff particularly cheap in the first year. If the bonus does not apply in the second year, the prices sometimes rise rapidly. Those who are willing to change suppliers every year can consciously opt for a bonus tariff. If you want to stay with one provider for the long term, it is better to take a look at the tariff conditions without bonuses. Consumer advocates also recommend concluding a contract with a price guarantee. The provider then guarantees the customer a fixed price for a certain period of time.
Incidentally, there is no obligation to look for a new gas supplier if the old one stops delivering and cancels. If those affected do not find a new supplier within three months, they automatically stay with the basic supplier.
Cancel standing order, read counter
Customers whose delivery contract has been terminated – as is the case now in the case of Grünwelt – should, however, ensure that their direct debit authorization is revoked in writing and that the standing order with the bank is canceled. It is also very important that the consumers affected by a termination read the meter reading themselves at the end of the purchase and inform the supplier and the basic supplier.
The company gas.de has announced that it will handle customer relationships properly and pay out outstanding credits and agreed new customer bonuses with the final accounts. Those affected should now read their current meter reading, report this to the provider and document it for themselves.