Switching is great - But why all these problems?

While it's a good idea to switch energy suppliers, it seems to throw up a huge number of problems.

Money Mail has written on the customer service problems at British Gas, many of which can be blamed on its computer system not accepting transfers properly. But it's not just BG. I persuaded my 70+ widowed mother to move her gas and electricity last year and frankly, wish I'd never done so.

While the gas went through easily and with no problem, the electricity has been a nightmare. She moved from EDF to Atlantic and, as far as we knew, it all went through OK - eventually. There had been problems with a mythical second meter which were eventually cleared up and from December, her direct debits with EDF were stopped and she started paying Atlantic instead.

Last month she received a confusing letter from EDF which basically said that she owed it money, but not to worry, she should carry on with her direct debits as usual. Difficult considering she wasn't paying them. I emailed them but got rebuffed because I wasn't the account holder.

So I rang up instead and pretended to be my mother instead - and was told that there was no problem, it would write to confirm this. The next letter of course said nothing of the sort - it just said that as direct debit payments had stopped, it would bill quarterly instead.

I rang, again pretending to be my mother, and was told I should ignore that letter, it didn't mean anything. I just wonder what the next mail will bring.

- Charlotte Beugge, Money Mail

PS - Get our latest advice on whether to switch your energy supplier here.