E.ON press the re-set button

Mrs_Arcanum

I tend to switch in Autumn as I (used to) know I would be either be a little in credit or on a zero balance. Whenever I switch in Spring there was always a huge balance owed. Why must E-On choose a zero Spring balance when logically a Zero Autumn balance is more sensible and achievable. Unless of course it is a cynical money making tactic.

lithopsian

A zero autumn balance policy means you would be in debit nearly all the time, owing E.On money. Why would they do that when they could have an extra few hundred of your pounds (on average) in their bank account all the time? Not to mention the squeals of indignation from the tabloids and the do-gooders as people can't switch because they owe a chunk of money.

Mrs_Arcanum

lithopsian wrote: »

A zero autumn balance policy means you would be in debit nearly all the time, owing E.On money. Why would they do that when they could have an extra few hundred of your pounds (on average) in their bank account all the time? Not to mention the squeals of indignation from the tabloids and the do-gooders as people can't switch because they owe a chunk of money.

When they can't even set a decent monthly figure to achieve some credit before winter I will have no sympathy for them.

brewerdave

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

I tend to switch in Autumn as I (used to) know I would be either be a little in credit or on a zero balance. Whenever I switch in Spring there was always a huge balance owed. Why must E-On choose a zero Spring balance when logically a Zero Autumn balance is more sensible and achievable. Unless of course it is a cynical money making tactic.

...I'm the same - the last few switches have all been in the period from July to September - usually with a positive balance to be returned:)
I actually escaped from EON before I got caught by the Spring DD review - my account was actually substantially in debit after the first 7 months (Spring) and was then adjusted for the following 14 months to actually give zero balance in year 2 by July. Looking back at old bills, 2012 is the first year (since I've kept spreadsheet records) that I've had a credit balance thru Winter, mostly due to the mild weather.....should allow me to negotiate DDs down when I reach EDF's "annual review date":rotfl:whenever that is!!!!

victor2

brewerdave wrote: »

.....should allow me to negotiate DDs down when I reach EDF's "annual review date":rotfl:whenever that is!!!!

Haven't you figured that one out yet? It's whenever you enter a reading, your meters are read, 6 months after you start, the Northern Lights appear, or if all else fails, on your contract anniversary.
Haven't quite got to the bottom of how they actually calculate the amount though, but I don't think they have either.

backfoot

In today's Times and presumably other nationals, Eon have taken out a full page spread. It really is worth a look. I asked my wife what she thought about it and she said it was advertising their paranoia.:rotfl:

I just felt that they had embarked on more spin and were advertising nothing. The subject matter concerns customers not liking them due to price and explaining that the retail (supply) business is low margin/high volume. No mention is made of the upstream parts of the business.

I am biased though because it really isn't an issue that solely concerns Eon. Price affects the perception of all suppliers and all the suppliers operate with that same model.

So from an advertising point of view what is differentiator? None in this case, so I am ambivalent.

I used to like Eon. Why don't I now?

It's because they have embarked upon strategies of differentiation which are actually negative ones from a customer perspective.They have found things to annoy customers with.

It's not only the zero spring balance policy and the bullying which goes on if you object. It is the awful and sneaky disallowance of discounts on final bills.It is the false advertising of free energy on the Energy Fit products. It is discriminatory pricing to stifle competition.

Eon, I know welcome my feedback because they have told me so. In this case, I think your Reset Initiative is the right thing to do. Only if you do it properly and in accord with your objectives will it work or it will spectacularly backfire.

I wouldn't be wasting my advertising budget on non differentiating half truths and paranoia but actually changing your policies to give you a competitive advantage on price and the other customer service issues.

The recent deteriorating Customer Service data should be telling you something and instead of fannying about with Customer Councils, recover your integrity by changing these obvious failings.

There is no fee.

DirectDebacle

I expect that E.On reps are unable to answer the many questions raised regarding their reviewed DD policy for two reasons.

The first is they have no idea what the changes are and second, even if they did, they would state that they were unable to discuss them as the matter is now being looked at by Ofgem.

However E.On have not shut up shop and will still be signing up new customers.

It would be entirely in keeping with the reasons E.On choose to have reps on this forum for them to explain the DD scheme E.On are currently putting their new customers on, wouldn't it?

JimmyTheWig

I agree, DD.
Don;t know if you've been following the Experian threads about rent going on your credit file.
But it's amazing to see the difference between the Experian rep on those threads and the E.on reps on these threads.

The Experian rep knows all about their policy and even seems in some sort of position to do something about their policy. The E.on reps on the other hand...

Blackdog

Let's not be too harsh on the E.on reps who have been really helpful to many people on this forum. Issues with utilities can be confusing and stressful for many people and we have seen the E.on reps give valuable help and advice. As far as what the reps have been able to say on this thread it is a very different story. I believe that it is their senior management who are letting them down by not sorting out the mess and giving clear direction. It is ironic that this thread was started by E.on but now the reps are not able to comment or answer questions. Hopefully E.on will allow the reps to start to communicate with us again soon on this thread.

DirectDebacle

Extract from an article in this mornings Times:

An E.ON spokeswoman said: “We’re committed to ensuring our direct debit policy is simple, open and transparently fair. We’re undertaking an in depth review of our direct debit procedure and plan to communicate more on this shortly.

“We’ve already taken on board customer feedback and earlier this year extended the period for customers joining us in the second half of the year to reach a zero balance.”

E.On seem determined to make themselves a laughing stock over this issue.

I can think of a direct debit policy that is simple, open and transparently fair in around 2.5 seconds. E.On haven't come up with one in 2.5 months of 'reset research'.

It is a shame that the E.On reps on here have been forced into putting their credibility on the line by incompetent management wishing to use MSE as a propaganda vehicle.