Outfox the Market reviews: add your feedback

polishingpete

Please be aware if you don't already realise that Outfox the Market and Fischer Energy are one and the same company.
I tried to switch to Outfox the Market from Fischer Energy and had my direct debit returned as the accounts department thought there had been a mix up (so they use the same accounts department). I phoned Outfox the Market and explained the situation and they transferred me through to Fischer Energy (so they have a linked phone network).
Decided it all sounded too dodgy for me so decided to leave Fischer Energy for Pure Energy. This is not going well as they will not let me leave and keep invoicing me for energy!

otbc.ncfc

MrDave11 wrote: »

They have also blocked my switch. I only owe them £39!!!! Surely they understand they can take final payment upon giving final meter reading when I leave rather than just block it?

This cant be reasonable behaviour otherwise no one would ever be able to leave any energy company if they owe them a balance when wanting to switch. What are our rights here?

Completely agree. Totally, totally unacceptable behaviour from them. Surely, SURELY they can't be allowed to block a switch just because you're in debit with them? Like, I'd imagine probably 50% of their customers are in debit with them at any one time...

Biscuit_Tin

MrDave11 wrote: »

They have also blocked my switch. I only owe them £39!!!! Surely they understand they can take final payment upon giving final meter reading when I leave rather than just block it?

This cant be reasonable behaviour otherwise no one would ever be able to leave any energy company if they owe them a balance when wanting to switch. What are our rights here?

Why have you not paid the £39 you admit you owe them?

Surely it is unreasonable to not pay the £39 demanded for the energy you have already consumed some time ago?

Not only were you at risk of having your switch request blocked (as as happened) but for the sake of £39, you have possibly had your credit profile trashed, which may put off any other supplier providing you credit (or request a large security deposit if they are not put off too much)

Biscuit_Tin

otbc.ncfc wrote: »

Nah I'm in debit with them but for some reason they're calling it 'debt' - no idea why, I pay by DD so nothing weird is going on!

Ridiculous really, it's only £50 I'm in debit...literally if they asked I can pay it back immediately!

Nah for some reason OFTM took over it with no issues from SSE (who were the original supplier) but I can't change away now as they haven't even registered they supply my address so new suppliers can't take over the supply! Ridiculous if you ask me, they've basically forced me to stay with them for 6 weeks (as that's how long they say the national register takes to update)

A debt is only a debt if/when it remains unpaid for a period of at least 28 days after it is formally demanded (e.g. a bill, not a statement, is issued demanding payment)

If that is not the case here, you should contact the supplier and clarify why your switch request is being blocked. If necessary, follow the supplier's complaint procedure to raise a formal complaint.

I'm not sure what you mean by OFTM not having registered themselves as your new supplier :huh:
How long ago do you think OFTM took over your supply from SSE?
If' it's not registered, then you are probably still being supplied by SSE.

otbc.ncfc

Biscuit_Tin wrote: »

A debt is only a debt if/when it remains unpaid for a period of at least 28 days after it is formally demanded (e.g. a bill, not a statement, is issued demanding payment)

If that is not the case here, you should contact the supplier and clarify why your switch request is being blocked. If necessary, follow the supplier's complaint procedure to raise a formal complaint.

And here's where they're going wrong then. They're classing being in debit with them as being in debt...two completely separate things.

No demand for payment ever received here and I doubt anyone else received one too. Such shady behaviour!

ogwellian

I had my switch blocked.

Sent a faster payment for arrears and enough to put me in a month's credit. It was credited yesterday.

Last night they posted a new bill dated 29th December which is vastly overestimated and put me debit again.

My previous switch was blocked and then cancelled. Done a new one with BG, I expect that will get blocked too.

thelight

MrDave11 wrote: »

They have also blocked my switch. I only owe them £39!!!! Surely they understand they can take final payment upon giving final meter reading when I leave rather than just block it?

This cant be reasonable behaviour otherwise no one would ever be able to leave any energy company if they owe them a balance when wanting to switch. What are our rights here?

Iresa did the same thing when I tried to leave them. They're only allowed to block when it has become a debt, in that they have specifically given you notice that you have to pay off all debit with them. Make a complaint then take it to the ombudsmen.

Billy_the_fish

Biscuit_Tin wrote: »

Why have you not paid the £39 you admit you owe them?

Surely it is unreasonable to not pay the £39 demanded for the energy you have already consumed some time ago?

Not only were you at risk of having your switch request blocked (as as happened) but for the sake of £39, you have possibly had your credit profile trashed, which may put off any other supplier providing you credit (or request a large security deposit if they are not put off too much)

Thats a bit over the top mate.

When changing supplier, it can drag over an actual DD period for payment. Thats why final readings are asked for from new supplier so old supplier can then bill you for unpaid energy (If your not in credit) OFTM customers all pay for their energy upfront i.e. you paid your 1st DD to OFTM within a couple of days of joining them.
So unless you really under cooked your figures when getting a quote and joining then £39 sounds a reasonable figure as a final bill and is no reason for a supplier to block a switch.

Trashing a credit rating?!?!?!?!? :rotfl::rotfl:

I very much doubt that.
Where on earth are you getting your info from???

Billy_the_fish

MrDave11 wrote: »

They have also blocked my switch. I only owe them £39!!!! Surely they understand they can take final payment upon giving final meter reading when I leave rather than just block it?

This cant be reasonable behaviour otherwise no one would ever be able to leave any energy company if they owe them a balance when wanting to switch. What are our rights here?

According to OFGEM, £30 compensation is paid for each problem.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/consumers-receive-automatic-compensation-switching-problems

So you need to officially send a complaint. Then, when they havn't responded formally within a couple of weeks, re-send the complaint with a reminder of 8 week resolve or deadlock.
Then you can take the matter to Energy Ombudsman and then OFGEM.

Biscuit_Tin

otbc.ncfc wrote: »

And here's where they're going wrong then. They're classing being in debit with them as being in debt...two completely separate things.

No demand for payment ever received here and I doubt anyone else received one too. Such shady behaviour!

Glad we've resolved your issue . I'm sure you know what you need to do now then, if you feel they have made a mistake