Outfox the Market reviews: add your feedback

Cornucopia

katoosh525 wrote: »

... So - for me and I guess nearly everyone else, this is just theft. A bank will charge them interest to borrow money, but they are trying to steal it from me instead and not pay me any interest.

Isn't that just a little bit melodramatic?

Even if, after the messing around, the DDs end up being unrepresentative of usage, they are STILL just a payment on account. The only issue is that OFTM don't offer a "pay on receipt of bill" tariff - so if you don't like their approach, the only option is to leave. Judging from this thread, that's a valid option for a lot of people.

dont_use_vistaprint

Cornucopia wrote: »

Isn't that just a little bit melodramatic?

Even if, after the messing around, the DDs end up being unrepresentative of usage, they are STILL just a payment on account. The only issue is that OFTM don't offer a "pay on receipt of bill" tariff - so if you don't like their approach, the only option is to leave. Judging from this thread, that's a valid option for a lot of people.

No its not melodramatic for people on low income right before Christmas, which is probably a big chunk of their customer base trying to save a few quid. its unforgivable to use customers cash on account to secure loans and the quicker they are gone the better.

Cornucopia

dont_use_vistaprint wrote: »

No its not melodramatic for people on low income right before Christmas, which is probably a big chunk of their customer base trying to save a few quid. its unforgivable to use customers cash on account to secure loans and the quicker they are gone the better.

My point was that it's not theft.

Otherwise, yes, I can see how people on low incomes could be seriously affected by this - especially those who are on the Fixed Tariff, who really should be allowed by OFTM to leave without penalty.

System

dont_use_vistaprint wrote: »

No its not melodramatic for people on low income right before Christmas, which is probably a big chunk of their customer base trying to save a few quid. its unforgivable to use customers cash on account to secure loans and the quicker they are gone the better.

Some suppliers are struggling at the moment as a result of higher costs, and the Ofgem price caps which restrict a supplier's ability to increase its prices. I suspect that as 7 suppliers have already gone to the wall this year borrowing costs have also increased. To complicate matters further, Suppliers also have to pay their wholesale suppliers in advance of supply.

I am not saying that OFTM has handled this change well, but we consumers are foolish to think that market leading prices come without any downsides - for example, supplier failure; poor customer service and complaints handing. Becoming an energy supplier is by all accounts a pretty easy process: problems come when suppliers start to supply. For example, Bristol Energy is running on a council taxpayer-funded loan of £27M; has reportedly 76000 customers, and it reported a trading loss of £7.7M in 2016/17. It is not expected to make a profit until 2021.

I suspect that many suppliers are introducing changes to payment schemes just to stay afloat.

alittleowl

OFtM are now flagging one star reviews on TrustPilot for breach of their guidelines, as well as deleting customer posts on their facebook page. They don't have time to switch on their web chat, answer their phones or respond to emails but they've got time to try to silence people on social media. I don't think katoosh525 is being melodramatic either. OFtM's behaviour is absolutely shocking. They are without a doubt the worst company it has ever been my misfortune to deal with and the quicker I can get away from them the better.

jono1975

Another OFM screw up, just had my credit refunded by Bulb so checked it agianst their email and it matches ok.

All good, but I though I'd just check the bill in more detail as the last bill seems a bit high for a few weeks. Scrolling down I notice that my gas reading is an estimate. I definitely sent one in.

So, I've just been on to Bulb chat and they only have my electricity reading from OFTM and have estimated my usage too high. Thanks for more hassle I can do without.

Can it get any worse?

Update, webchat has been useless, the now want my to sent a picture of my meter today and apparently my gas figure was changed by an industry validator becaue I sent my rading on 1/11 and switch was on 2/11. This doesn't explain why Bulb don't have my gas reading and if this is true about the validator why my final bill electricty reading is exactly what I sent foxy.

Now noticed that they have both readings on the system for 01/11 that I sent. Then another one for 2nd which is my switch date with the same electric reading but no gas reading at all. This could be an indicator.

They want me to open a dispute with them now! I will.

System

jono1975 wrote: »

Another OFM screw up, just had my credit refunded by Bulb so checked it agianst their email and it matches ok.

All good, but I though I'd just check the bill in more detail as the last bill seems a bit high for a few weeks. Scrolling down I notice that my gas reading is an estimate. I definitely sent one in.

So, I've just been on to Bulb chat and they only have my electricity reading from OFTM and have estimated my usage too high. Thanks for more hassle I can do without.

Can it get any worse?

If the error works in your favour (ie; lower unit price) then do not rock the boat. Both suppliers have to use the agreed readings to open and close your accounts.

jono1975

Yes, I guess it would be as my old tariff was still in place.

Thanks, in my annoyance with OFTM messing up again I hadn't thought of that! I just need to check the start figure OFTM will use will be the same as the one on my Bulb bill.

Appreciated.

bigpaul66

just had another email from them and guess what from jan 1st another price rise. so that's one in dec and one on jan 1st

Wheres_My_Cashback

It's just gone from bad to worse with them .....now nearly a 30% price increase....I hope they fold !!!

Dear Customer,


Important changes to your energy prices


The last two weeks have been difficult for both Outfox the Market and our valued customers. It is evident that we have made some decisions that have proved unpopular and we are sorry for any undue worry we may have caused. Whilst we can appreciate your frustrations, these changes have been unavoidable and introduced in a bid to keep your prices as low as possible.

The energy market continues to face challenges, this week two independent suppliers have been forced to cease trading, joining five other companies who have folded since the start of the year.

Wholesale energy prices have risen exponentially throughout 2018 and for this reason we are unable to sustain our current pricing model. Therefore, we will be implementing further changes to react to the energy market environment. These changes are detailed below.

From 1st January 2019 your electricity unit rate will change from £0.1146/kWh to £0.1329/kWh.

Your gas unit rate will change from £0.0373/kWh to £0.0429/kWh

Your monthly membership fee will be replaced by a daily standing charge of 28p per fuel.

Good News!

From January 1st, the energy regulator Ofgem is introducing a price cap to ensure no-one pays more than a fair price for their energy. Our commitment to you, is that our prices will always be below this cap - and we promise to keep it that way.

The table below provides detail of your current prices and the new prices.
Payable from 1st January 2019.



Your prices until
31st December 2018

Your prices from
1st January 2019

Electricity Unit Rate

£0.1146/kWh

£0.1329/kWh

Gas Unit Rate

£0.0373/kWh

£0.0429/kWh

Your unit rates are inclusive of 5% VAT

Your projected costs for the next 12 months

Until
31st December

After
1st January

Price
Increase

Projected Annual cost

£807.27

£1032.93

£225.66