Ovo Energy Reviews: Give your feedback

maas

victor2 wrote: »

I've been with Ovo since last May and have had no problems. The switch went as expected and I manage everything online. Haven't had any need to contact them at all, so can't comment on their customer service.
Did change from entering monthly readings when they asked for them, to statements "on demand". I now enter readings at my convenience once a month and a day or so later, a statement is produced using those figures. Even though I previously entered readings as requested, they would subsequently produce a statement four or five days later with the extra day or so covered by an estimated reading. This was reasonably accurate, but struck me as pointless. They must have realised that as their website then offered the ability to switch to statements on demand, so I did with no trouble.

How long does it take for OVO to generate a statement on demand after you input your meter readings?

victor2

maas wrote: »

How long does it take for OVO to generate a statement on demand after you input your meter readings?

Last time I entered readings was on 20/10, statement was generated on 21/10 and dated 20/10. Don't know how it works over a weekend as I haven't tried that.
I enter my readings a few days after the DD is taken, as the 3% interest is generated on your balance as of the previous statement's ending balance, so might as well have it as high as possible. It's only pennies, but better to have it in my favour.

teddysmum

I was put off by the fact that the website and a call centre person were unable to give me a sensible quotation, as there is a glitch in their quotation system that says 13000kwh of gas usage is excessive (as it's over 72000 !).


I eventually got a quotation, which agreed with my figures, from an online chat lady, but this was 2 weeks ago and the glitch is still present.


I found them third cheapest compared with Co-op and Sainsbury's, but was then amazed to find that the Npower online November 2015 fix ( no get out payment) is even cheaper,so I'm staying put for the time being. (I have had occasional minor problems, but they have always been put right with added compensation).

fifty

I have struggled with their statements from the start. Despite the fact that I supplied meter readings every month, they didn't use them to calculate my bills. I have contradictory statements for the same month giving different amounts in credit (this was during the summer months.). Then they decided to put my direct debit up from £64 to £80. They told me that this was because winter was coming; but surely the monthly payment which I was given when I took out a contract with them had taken this into account. I was £94 in credit at the time! It seems like they got me to switch under false pretences.

System

fifty wrote: »

I have struggled with their statements from the start. Despite the fact that I supplied meter readings every month, they didn't use them to calculate my bills. I have contradictory statements for the same month giving different amounts in credit (this was during the summer months.). Then they decided to put my direct debit up from £64 to £80. They told me that this was because winter was coming; but surely the monthly payment which I was given when I took out a contract with them had taken this into account. I was £94 in credit at the time! It seems like they got me to switch under false pretences.

When did you switch? You can get an accurate bill by using the My Demand function. You put in the readings and get a statement a day or so later. I started with OVO in April at £71 per month and I am now £234 in credit. My Account suggests that I could reduce my payment by £3 a month. My guess is that you haven't built up sufficient credit and this is why OVO is requesting a higher monthly payment. The smaller companies do not like big debit balances. At the end of the day, you will only pay for what you use.

More info here:

http://www.ovoenergy.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Help/Annual_complaints/OVO%20Complaints%20Q3.pdf

victor2

fifty wrote: »

I have struggled with their statements from the start. Despite the fact that I supplied meter readings every month, they didn't use them to calculate my bills. I have contradictory statements for the same month giving different amounts in credit (this was during the summer months.). Then they decided to put my direct debit up from £64 to £80. They told me that this was because winter was coming; but surely the monthly payment which I was given when I took out a contract with them had taken this into account. I was £94 in credit at the time! It seems like they got me to switch under false pretences.

What figures did they have to calculate your DD amount? The most accurate are your actual kWh usage for each fuel over the previous 12 months. Assuming your lifestyle hasn't changed dramatically, that should be pretty accurate. Mine was - their calculation agreed with my own. I am now slightly ahead of the game, with more credit than I forecast thanks to the mild weather we've had, but will leave things as they are as I will doubtless go into a debit balance by the time Spring comes anyway.
If your previous DD amounts were used to calculate the new one, that can cause a big discrepancy. New suppliers will lean towards a lower DD as they want to attract new customers. They can easily assume that given figures include covering a previous debit balance, so usage is actually costing less. That's probably even true for a number of cases.
If you switch again, find out your annual usage in kWh (not cost), which will be on your statements, and check yourself using the proposed tariff what the annual cost will be. Divide that by 12 and you've got a realistic monthly DD amount.

System

victor2 wrote: »

New suppliers will lean towards a lower DD as they want to attract new customers. They can easily assume that given figures include covering a previous debit balance, so usage is actually costing less. That's probably even true for a number of cases.
t.

I am sorry but that is complete rubbish. All energy companies have to conform to OFGEM rules: there is no assumption made about debit balances with a current supplier. If a potential customer submits projected usage figures in kWhs for gas and electricity then the initial DD will be 1/12 of the estimated annual consumption; however, .....

If the switch is made late in the year then most energy companies will insist on a higher initial DD to cover the winter period. This again is in accordance with OFGEM policy.

What you are suggesting is that energy companies have a policy of mis-selling to attract new accounts. Rogue salesmen - yes: mis-selling as a policy - absolutely not.

victor2

Hengus wrote: »

What you are suggesting is that energy companies have a policy of mis-selling to attract new accounts. Rogue salesmen - yes: mis-selling as a policy - absolutely not.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/Energy-mis-selling-complaints

System

victor2 wrote: »

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/Energy-mis-selling-complaints

You are not comparing 'like-for-like'. I am not suggesting that mis-selling does not go on. In a World of sales targets, and bonuses there will always be an element of mis-selling.

What you are suggesting happens when you get a quote is just wrong because (a) you can check quotes by inserting the same kWh projected figures in a variety of comparison sites and (b) it is a 5 minute job to produce a simple spreadsheet to do your own DD calculation. When I switched to Ovo, I worked out an annual consumption figure on a spreadsheet, and what I got back from Ovo was pence per month different. They rounded up to the nearest £ and I rounded down.

King_Weasel

Having just applied to switch to OVO, I was surprised to discover that what is undoubtedly the prime attraction of this supplier has not already been mentioned, either by Martin or by contributors to this thread, namely that you get the opportunity under security questions to tell them what superpower you would like to have.

No-one has ever wanted to know before, in any context.

I would therefore recommend everyone applies to switch to OVO, even if they pull out in the cooling off period.

PS The superpower I would like to have is the ability to remember my answer to the security question.