Ovo Energy Reviews: Give your feedback

emmasally

Hi.
I can't make my mind up whether to switch to OVO (My in-laws have recently switched and say they're good) or Green Star Energy (An exclusive offer only available to readers of The Sun apparently).
I can't seem to find any recent feedback for either of them so would appreciate any you can give.
Thanks!

lisa110rry

I had intended to switch to Ovo as soon as I could without penalty, but some of these recent commments look very worrying. What to do?

victor2

emmasally wrote: »

Hi.
I can't make my mind up whether to switch to OVO (My in-laws have recently switched and say they're good) or Green Star Energy (An exclusive offer only available to readers of The Sun apparently).
I can't seem to find any recent feedback for either of them so would appreciate any you can give.
Thanks!

Used OVO for a year before switching away for a better deal. Used their online system to give readings and view statements. No problem leaving - got my outstanding credit back shortly after final statement was produced. Would go back if a cheaper tariff comes up.

JJ_Egan

No problem with OVO and renewed even though i could get cheaper .
Been able to withdraw excess credit twice and been able to change my DD all on line .
Meter readings in every month on correct day and bill follows a few days later .
Refusing to have a smart meter though as they become dumb if you leave the current company .

System

victor2 wrote: »

Used OVO for a year before switching away for a better deal. Used their online system to give readings and view statements. No problem leaving - got my outstanding credit back shortly after final statement was produced. Would go back if a cheaper tariff comes up.

A cheaper tariff was released a couple of weeks ago. I am presently switching back to Ovo. I had a small issue yesterday. I called Ovo and a friendly CS member admitted that they were having some issues with their new IT system. She rang me back with the answer to my query about 15 minutes later, and backed this up with a confirmatory e-mail. Ovo are still not the cheapest supplier but, with my £30 refund from MSE CEC, I will be £5 a year better off than I was with one of the Big Six.

katejo

emmasally wrote: »

Hi.
I can't make my mind up whether to switch to OVO (My in-laws have recently switched and say they're good) or Green Star Energy (An exclusive offer only available to readers of The Sun apparently).
I can't seem to find any recent feedback for either of them so would appreciate any you can give.
Thanks!

Here is a warning about Ovo's procedure for new customers. Ovo has adopted a new fast transfer system which fails to fully observe the cooling off period. I clicked on the link on the MSE Energy Club site. I got a confirming email straight away but the info pack with the contract details didn't arrive for another week. It stated that my cooling off period would finish in 4 days. By then I had decided not to continue with Ovo (reasons not relevant to this) so I tried to cancel. I was within the cooling off period but was told that it was too late to reverse the transfer due to a technical problem. They shouldn't start the transfer until the cooling off period is finished.

System

katejo wrote: »

Here is a warning about Ovo's procedure for new customers. Ovo has adopted a new fast transfer system which fails to fully observe the cooling off period. I clicked on the link on the MSE Energy Club site. I got a confirming email straight away but the info pack with the contract details didn't arrive for another week. It stated that my cooling off period would finish in 4 days. By then I had decided not to continue with Ovo (reasons not relevant to this) so I tried to cancel. I was within the cooling off period but was told that it was too late to reverse the transfer due to a technical problem. They shouldn't start the transfer until the cooling off period is finished.

My experience has been different to yours. I applied to switch via MSC CEC on the 4th June and received my Welcome Pack on the 9th. My Ovo makes it very clear that:

You’ve got a 14-day cooling-off period (until 18/06/2015) to switch to another supplier.

I cannot comment on Ovo's cancellation procedures; that said, it is the Government's wish to see 1 day switching in the future with the Cooling Period coming AFTER the switch. Clearly, for those that have second thoughts this will inevitably lead to some administrative turbulence.

From the OFGEM website:
2. Cooling off period

A ‘cooling off’ period allows a customer to change their mind, terminate their new contract and go back to their original supplier. New regulations, that come into force in June 2014, provide a statutory 14-day cooling period for domestic consumers.

At the moment, it takes around five weeks for suppliers to complete a switch. This incorporates the two week cooling off period upfront and then is followed by a three week period where the actual switch takes place. Following Government’s challenge to industry to speed this up, Ofgem has worked with industry and agreed voluntary changes to their processes to reduce this to two and a half weeks by the end of this year. This includes the two week cooling off period upfront, and then the switch will complete by the end of the third day.

Ofgem’s new proposals would see next day switching brought in - where after choosing a supplier, the customer joins them at the start of the next day. The cooling off period would still remain. However, crucially, it would take place after the switch, allowing customers to enjoy their new service the very next day.

katejo

Hengus wrote: »

My experience has been different to yours. I applied to switch via MSC CEC on the 4th June and received my Welcome Pack on the 9th. My Ovo makes it very clear that:

You’ve got a 14-day cooling-off period (until 18/06/2015) to switch to another supplier.

I cannot comment on Ovo's cancellation procedures; that said, it is the Government's wish to see 1 day switching in the future with the Cooling Period coming AFTER the switch. Clearly, for those that have second thoughts this will inevitably lead to some administrative turbulence.

From the OFGEM website:
2. Cooling off period

A ‘cooling off’ period allows a customer to change their mind, terminate their new contract and go back to their original supplier. New regulations, that come into force in June 2014, provide a statutory 14-day cooling period for domestic consumers.

At the moment, it takes around five weeks for suppliers to complete a switch. This incorporates the two week cooling off period upfront and then is followed by a three week period where the actual switch takes place. Following Government’s challenge to industry to speed this up, Ofgem has worked with industry and agreed voluntary changes to their processes to reduce this to two and a half weeks by the end of this year. This includes the two week cooling off period upfront, and then the switch will complete by the end of the third day.

Ofgem’s new proposals would see next day switching brought in - where after choosing a supplier, the customer joins them at the start of the next day. The cooling off period would still remain. However, crucially, it would take place after the switch, allowing customers to enjoy their new service the very next day.

That would have been ok if Ovo hadn't had a technical problem which prevented them cancelling after the switch had started. I had to have an erroneous transfer which I was told would take about 17 weeks to complete. It isn't acceptable to say that to everyone who changes their mind before the cooling off has finished.
As it happens the reversal didn't take as long as expected. I have just heard that I am fully returned to my previous provider so can switch to their new tariff.

RichardMJ

I have had problems with Ovo administration and billing. The original switch went smoothly but they then installed Smart Meters. It took about 3 months to get the readings and billing sorted. Things seemed better so stayed with them for a second year. They now don't seem able to take regular readings and issue bills when due. Have just had to chase them again for the second month running.

gardner1

used them for over a year no problems then switched to E0N back in feb....still waiting for final readings to be confirmed and refund of £60.... customer service is 5hit will never use again fobbed off every time I phone for refund always blaming EON who sent/confirmed readings back in april