Outfox the Market reviews: add your feedback

ploddo

jono1975 wrote: »

I don't really think they have listened, they are still having winter/summer DD paymnet and the owness is on the customer to request credit back.

It also remains to be seen what effect sending a picture of our meters will have, it's really not possible to work out a years usage from one reading and they only have one other of mine, although I'm sure they have most old supplier details available.

No they are just panicking I expect. They told me:

The electricity membership fee is based on your estimated annual consumption. This is a figure submitted by the industry based on 2 years of historical meter reading data.

They used those apparent figures to increase my membership fee. I have all my meter readings for the last 5 years. I have not used they amount that they say the industry based historical meter reads say I will. :mad:

ilikebargains

I am transferring to Peoples Energy, because of the increase charges on direct debit for winter. My account is in credit £184.00.

Is it possible stop future direct debits so they can take money from credit as when my account comes to end. I don't need to pay another £103.00 direct debit on 01/12/2018.

ilikebargains

stephenbrowning wrote: »

Hi all, repeat of the earlier post plus the attack strategy..



How you go back at them is as follows.


Add up how much you have already paid (by DDR) starting from your April 2018 bill through to your latest bill. Then work out how many more DDR payments you will make up to and including the March 2019 bill. Multiply that number of payments by your new Winter DDR rate (as on the email), to give the Remaining payments due.



Add the Actual and Remaining payments together; that gives you the Total Predicted payments for the 12 months Apr2018 through March 2019)



Subtract the Annual Estimated Cost on the email from the Total Predicted payments you have calculated. The result will be the excess payment they are trying to charge you for this Financial year. You quote back to them the Total Predicted Payments and the excess and object to the severe overcharging. Demanding of course that they hold your DDR to the appropriate level namely...


Annual Estimated Cost minus Actual Payments made is the correct Remaining Payments Due. Divide that by the number of remaining payments (up to and including the March 2019 bill). The result is of course the DDR you should pay this Winter and will probably be very close to your current DDR. Therefore just tell them not to change it.... Or Else!!!! (See below)

============================================
What Outfox are up to


When you look at the email you will see that the Estimated Annual Cost is simply your current DDR multiplied by 12. It is not an estimate of your likely consumption over the year.
Applying the new rates, Summer times 6 then Winter times 6, simply adds up to that same Annual figure.

Outfox then propose to apply the High Winter DDR rate over the coming Winter period but have taken no account of the Credit you have accrued over the Summer (Apr to Sep 2018 inclusive) to pay for part of that Winter Period (Sep 2018 to Mar 2019 inclusive) .

Therefore
They are trying to charge you an excess amount for the current 12 month period (April 2018 to March 2019) which comes out roughly equal to the Credit you see on your latest Bill. They will actually be charging you twice for for the amount of Energy which could be bought by that excess payment.

So, I have simply gone back to Outfox (actually the Trading name of Foxglove Energy) and told them the attempt at excess charging is invalid. And to leave my DDR at the current level until March 2019. They can then drop the DDR to the Summer rate but only if the Regulator (OFGEM) determines that changing the DDR structure within the Contract period is valid.

Now....
A DDR is a financial Instrument and we have a Merchant trying to charge twice for the same Goods.

I would be interested in Martin's opinion as to whether this behaviour can be referred to the Financial Conduct Authority as well as to Energywatch!!

Did they agree to leave your direct debit at that level?

deanae

I don't have any confidence in their systems. Even though i have provided them monthly meter readings I have really odd statement usages including negative amounts. I just think there algorithms can't cope with my particular usage, solar PV and a heat pump. Tiny usage in the summer and massive in the winter.

I keep my own spreadsheet and do think that my EAC is actually closer to yours and as I have been with them since the start of December, so nearly a year, they should be able to figure it out by now, but I am willing to give them a little amount of time to sort themselves out. But if I see me current credit balance getting much higher I will be asking for a refund.

Sweet330

I switched to OutFox because their monthly payments were a lot cheaper reducing my monthly payments from £110 to £60. I am now told the payments are to increase due to energy price increases and also payments for the 6 months during winter time.
I thought it was a budget plan. However, I am now going to be paying £115 which is more than I was paying with the other company. I feel conned into changing suppliers

ploddo

ilikebargains wrote: »

I am transferring to Peoples Energy, because of the increase charges on direct debit for winter. My account is in credit £184.00.

Is it possible stop future direct debits so they can take money from credit as when my account comes to end. I don't need to pay another £103.00 direct debit on 01/12/2018.

If you have online banking you can cancel it via your account :rotfl:

ploddo

Organza_Lace wrote: »

At least with a prepayment meter you don't have this hassle.

Until you move, then they will send a bill...….

redfox

there is an MSE article on Outfox the market that you can read here
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2018/11/outfox-the-market-hikes-energy-bills-a-third-time-and-increases-/

VoucherMan

Hengus wrote: »

I would suggest that you email [EMAIL="consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk"]consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk[/EMAIL] with your concerns about what is going on. In my experience, Ofgem’s response is usually directly linked to the weight of correspondence that they receive.

I think Hengus' comment deserves more viewing.
Ofgem's next on my list.


I've just sent emails to Outfox. My current credit balance is far greater than the amount they stand to gain by increasing my DD for the next 4 (or even 6, although they've missed the chance for an increased grab from October & November) months, so I've suggested than I have more than enough to cover my increased usage. If they do insist on taking the extra amount I have requested a refund of my credit balance, which will lose them a lot more than they could gain.

Now to wait and see what the clowns reply with. I won't hold me breath.

geoffplus

I have emailed OFGEM at consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk (as provided by Hengus)

This email route might stimulate some action.

If you fill in their complaints form (which I have also done) they say you must wait 8 weeks before they take action, to give the supplier time to correct the problem!