OVO Price Increase

backfoot

I signed up to OVO in April 2010 on their OVO New Energy Variable tariff.Very soon after they increased their prices but held the old prices for newly signed customers. So far so good.

In May they explained this and said they would inform customers of future price increases.

I have just received my October statement and notice the horrendous price increase, especially on gas. Unfortunately, I didn't receive any prior notification of this increase.

They claim they sent it by e mail but although I have never had any problem with other communications, I don't have this notification.

Have other customer's had similar problems? They are looking into my individual case.

backfoot

Just received this in relation to my price notification query.

'Good Afternoon

Thank you for your email. I am sorry for the delay in reply and responding, which is due to a high level of communication we have experience, but rest assured Ovo endeavour to answer every query you have as soon as we possibly can.

In the mean time I can see you have spoken to an advisor and they are looking into this for you. The prices are bason on your postcode only. You are more than welcome to move away from Ovo without penalty fees.

If you have any further queries, please contact us on 0800 599 9440 and we will be happy to help.

Kind Regards '

I worry...I really do.:o

I can see they are trying though.

DirectDebacle

Been browsing the OVO site as contemplating switching to them. Noticed they were recruiting so took a look. They are advertising for customer service personnel. £8 p.h.

One of the non-negotiable C.V. requirements is a degree.

Wonder what your rep has a degree in?

samtheman1k

That must be a typo! Why would you need a degree to be a customer services rep? lol

backfoot

Thanks DD.

Which product interested you? Their fixed price product comes out reasonably well for me, but Atlantic's Fixed Price 3 equivalent is better.

I am a high end gas user so it's horses for courses.

Ovo's price increase,on the variable tariff for gas was 1.84p/Kwh to 2.94p/Kwh which by anyone's measure verges on the mammoth.:shocked:

Overall after taking into account the drop in the standing charge my gas bill would go up by 45% over the year. :eek:

DirectDebacle

samtheman1k wrote: »

That must be a typo! Why would you need a degree to be a customer services rep? lol

Not sure. GCSE in basic Gibberish seems adequate for most suppliers.

I am a high end gas user so it's horses for courses.

Me too. Am with S.P Fixed to Feb 2011 so starting to look. OVO fixed comes out £12 p.a. more than that at the mo, so looks attractive. No rush yet though.

backfoot

I once thought OVO were quite ok. However,it must be me that attracts incompetence.

I am still no nearer resolution after many e mails.They basically ignore what you have written and respond generally or give some other irrellevant response.

Essentially, I asked them two simple things which are:

Send me a copy of the price increase e mail.
Confirm that I was on the distribution list for this e mail.

After three separate mails and a phone call neither have been provided.

I contacted Consumer Direct who were very supportive and said to reject their price increase and seek another supplier.

I had already done both yesterday but CD were very supportive and suggested I ask OVO to issue a Deadlock Letter if they didn't agree.
The matter would then go forward to the Energy Ombudsman.

I really don't know why all these Utilities are just so flippin hopeless.Once again something small and easy escalates into a much bigger problem and a dissatisfied customer.:o

davidgmmafan

Suppliers used to have up to 65 days to advise you of a price increase. I recall an article saying that had changed or was changing to them having to give thirty days notice.

In any event in this circumstance I'd insist on the price hold whilst you move supplier, most suppliers will do this in the event of a price rise even where you have been notified already (eg a fixed price tariff coming to an end).