Has my energy switching taken too long?

Mishomeister

On 24 November I have switched from Ovo to Economy Energy.
Economy Energy have informed me that the swich has only completed today 30 December.

Becasue of this I have not only was unable to benefit from a cheaper deal from Economy, but also have now spent a number of days on OVO's standrard rate as my fix with them has expiered before the swich has completed.

I was wondering if it was worth complaining as I feel it has taken for them too long to complete the switch.

molerat

If EE are not in the faster switching scheme then you are back to the old 4-6 weeks. When did your old fix end - if they were informed of the switch before the end they should have kept you on those rates. Plus if an IGT is involved ............

System

Under the terms of its Supply Licence, suppliers have 35 days (14 days cooling off plus 21 days) to transfer a supply.

You don't say when your fixed tariff with Ovo ran out? This is important as some of the new smaller suppliers are not signed up to 17 day transfers, and they take no action with regards to your switch until after the cooling off period has finished. If Ovo wasn't informed of your switch before contract end, they are within the rights to transfer you to their SVR Tariff. With new suppliers, it is also worth reading their ts and cs.

I have recently switched to Iresa: in fairness to them, they do make it clear that no action will be taken during the cooling off period.

Mishomeister

Hengus wrote: »

Under the terms of its Supply Licence, suppliers have 35 days (14 days cooling off plus 21 days) to transfer a supply.

You don't say when your fixed tariff with Ovo ran out? This is important as some of the new smaller suppliers are not signed up to 17 day transfers, and they take no action with regards to your switch until after the cooling off period has finished. If Ovo wasn't informed of your switch before contract end, they are within the rights to transfer you to their SVR Tariff. With new suppliers, it is also worth reading their ts and cs.

I have recently switched to Iresa: in fairness to them, they do make it clear that no action will be taken during the cooling off period.

Now looking at EE T&C it says:

The Supply in respect of the Premises shall start on the Supply Start Date, which will be within 21 days after your right to cancel the Agreement.
This I understand means 21 + 14 days so they are just about there.

However initially they were informing me of they expected switch date of 15 December, then 22 December.

During the switch however there was an issue with OVO where they have placed an objection to the move until I pay debit balance on my account.
I am not sure under what rights OVO have placed that stop on my transfer as their stop has likely made the process longer and in my view they have unfairly benefited from my custom.
Bearing in mind they have a direct debit on my bank account they can take the balance of me at any time without placing any obstacles.

System

Mishomeister wrote: »

Now looking at EE T&C it says:

The Supply in respect of the Premises shall start on the Supply Start Date, which will be within 21 days after your right to cancel the Agreement.
This I understand means 21 + 14 days so they are just about there.

However initially they were informing me of they expected switch date of 15 December, then 22 December.

During the switch however there was an issue with OVO where they have placed an objection to the move until I pay debit balance on my account.
I am not sure under what rights OVO have placed that stop on my transfer as their stop has likely made the process longer and in my view they have unfairly benefited from my custom.
Bearing in mind they have a direct debit on my bank account they can take the balance of me at any time without placing any obstacles.

I fear that you are on a sticky wicket. All suppliers have the right to object to a switch when there is a large debt on the account (usually more than £200). As the gaining supplier is reasonable for managing the switch, then the gaining supplier appears not to be at fault.

Mishomeister

Hengus wrote: »

All suppliers have the right to object to a switch when there is a large debt on the account (usually more than £200).

Could you please clarify where did you get this info from? As this is not something that was made explicitly clear to me when switching to OVO. If I knew of this I would've paid off the balance before I started the switching process.

System

Mishomeister wrote: »

Could you please clarify where did you get this info from? As this is not something that was made explicitly clear to me when switching to OVO. If I knew of this I would've paid off the balance before I started the switching process.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-a-better-energy-deal/switching-energy-supplier-if-youre-in-debt/

Bear in mind, that you are only worrying about the difference between Ovo's SVR and your fixed deal. I doubt whether this amounts to very much in £s. The concern that suppliers have with DD final payments is that you could always invoke the DD guarantee. Personally, I would just move on.

There is information on Ovo's website:

Can I change my gas or electricity suppliers even if I’m in arrears with my energy bills?

Many people think they can’t switch to a new energy supplier if they’re in fuel arrears.

In fact, you can change your gas or electricity supplier if you’re in debt, as long as you owe less than £500 and you’re on a repayment meter – and provided your new supplier agrees to accept you as a customer. You may even be able to switch if you’re on a normal meter.

However, if you owe more than £500, you’ll need to reduce your debt to £500 before you can switch.