Ovo Energy Reviews: Give your feedback

PollyOnAMission

I switched to Ovo from nPower, who I'd had a terrible time with.

The switch was smooth and their communication was good. They requested to increase my direct debit but were happy to not do so, as I explained I was having a new boiler fitted and would be using less gas. They also were happy to accept my annual figures (I record usage in a spreadsheet) on a later occasion when they wanted to increase my DD again.

Their customer service has always been excellent and their online services (and mobile app) are great. I especially like the option to generate a bill on the fly up to current meter readings. Interest on credit balances is a plus and they seem to have a good green ethic.

I have recently signed up to another year's contract with Ovo, despite them not being quite the cheapest. After my experience with nPower, decent customer service means a lot and I am very happy with them.

jamesperrett

unsure wrote: »

I'm getting more and more unimpressed with this bunch by the day!

Same here - just had a call from someone in their complaints department who seemed more interested in justifying their procedures than listening to my issues.

I've never felt so unhappy with my energy supplier as I am with Ovo (apart from maybe the time that I was with British Gas for a few weeks) but they just seem to make things worse every time I talk to them. Just hoping SSE/M&S are as good as they used to be when I was last with them.

JPR

I've just left Ovo but managed to run up a credit amount of some £700. They are waiting for the new supplier to send them the readings (even though they already have them from me) and only then will they process even a penny of the £700 which they say could take up to 6 weeks.

All of this seems incredibly archaic and am slightly worried that they are so keen to hold on to customers' money for so long. They have also completely stopped paying interest on this amount so not overly happy with them.

Fred_Bear_2

I have been with Ovo for three years and would recommend them. However this year they have increased their electricity prices (both green and non-green) by 26.8%. What puzzles me is why green electricity should increase so much when renewable energy (pv and wind) is getting cheaper all the time. I asked Ovo for an explanation two weeks ago but I am still waiting.

jamesperrett

JPR wrote: »

They are waiting for the new supplier to send them the readings (even though they already have them from me) and only then will they process even a penny of the £700 which they say could take up to 6 weeks.

If you lean on them a little harder they'll offer a partial refund provided that you keep one month's payment in credit. (I'm assuming that you pay less than £700 per month).

I get the impression that there are one or two helpful people there but they are badly hampered by the systems in place which aren't customer friendly.

kazt2006

Just thought I'd post a really positive experience - switched from Npower this time last year on a 12 month fix. Good customer service started with them changing my transfer date to coincide with my existing cheap tariff ending. Went into debt over winter which they wanted paying back over 3 months, then negotiated my DD as a compromise moving forward - more than I wanted, less than their ideas. Heating has just gone on tonight and I'm over £100 for extra winter bills.

They request a monthly reading - my choice - and get a monthly statement which is great for a money obsessed person like me!!!

Just looking now and they appear on cheap energy club at less than tariffs on their website so asked them to confirm what my new rates will be. If anywhere near the current best on them market I will definitely be staying with them.

kazt2006

unsure wrote: »

Sorry to go against the grain but we are almost certainly switching away from Ovo in the next few days at the end of our one year contract.

We joined in Nov 12 and by January they were telling us that our duel fuel direct debit was too low and would be unlikely to cover our bills. We were convinced to raise the direct debit by £25. I've recently checked ahead of the contract end and we are nearly £800 in credit!

I haven't been doing regular monthly readings but their estimates are very close to the real figures which suggests they must know we've been overpaying hugely. While they were very quick to push us to (unnecessarily) raise our direct debit we've had absolutely no contact about a big credit surplus which suggests that their original estimates were way off, that we didn't need to increase the payments and that they've been happy to hold on to our money without saying a word. They do pay 3% interest on credit which is something. But overall I'm not best pleased.

My only question is whether to leave immediately and grab the best offer, or wait a month and avoid paying the £60 exit fees (which we could recoup with a Scottish Power cashback fix currently available).

They are easy and pleasant enough to deal with and use 0800 numbers, but if they get the sums badly wrong (in their favour), push you to increase payments but then forget to mention rising credit, I don't think they are doing a good job for the customer.

I would have to say, it is partly your own fault for not keeping track of your credit bills and asking for a reduced DD earlier!

However, in reference to your other point about switching early and exit fees you should be able to put the switch through now - can take 4 to 6 weeks and you could negotiate with your new supplier to move your switching date on to coincide with the date your tariff finishes and therefore avoid any penalties. It's the same as terminating a mobile contract earlier you only pay the exit fees when the switch actually takes place.

Alps

unsure wrote: »

Sorry to go against the grain but we are almost certainly switching away from Ovo in the next few days at the end of our one year contract.

We joined in Nov 12 and by January they were telling us that our duel fuel direct debit was too low and would be unlikely to cover our bills. We were convinced to raise the direct debit by £25. I've recently checked ahead of the contract end and we are nearly £800 in credit!

I haven't been doing regular monthly readings but their estimates are very close to the real figures which suggests they must know we've been overpaying hugely. While they were very quick to push us to (unnecessarily) raise our direct debit we've had absolutely no contact about a big credit surplus which suggests that their original estimates were way off, that we didn't need to increase the payments and that they've been happy to hold on to our money without saying a word. They do pay 3% interest on credit which is something. But overall I'm not best pleased.

My only question is whether to leave immediately and grab the best offer, or wait a month and avoid paying the £60 exit fees (which we could recoup with a Scottish Power cashback fix currently available).

They are easy and pleasant enough to deal with and use 0800 numbers, but if they get the sums badly wrong (in their favour), push you to increase payments but then forget to mention rising credit, I don't think they are doing a good job for the customer.

For goodness sakes how can you complain about their DD amount if you are not prepared to spend 2 minutes once a month getting the information from your meter and giving it to them? You could suggest a reduction in DD at the same time. You obviously have access to the meters as you said their estimates are similar to the actual readings. Why are some people happy to complain but too lazy to be proactive in helping themselves? :rotfl:

bullybear

I have been with OVO for two years they have been a great company's. This year we have changed due to they have become less competitive for me. I have £ 500 in credit but u have to get it back before u start the change in process or they will freeze it and u have to request it back after u have revived the final bill. It's a bit backward
Overall I would recommend and use them again

bullybear

I have been with OVO for two years they have been a great company's. This year we have changed due to they have become less competitive for me. I have £ 500 in credit but u have to get it back before u start the change in process or they will freeze it and u have to request it back after u have revived the final bill. It's a bit backward
Overall I would recommend and use them again