Ovo Energy to hike prices and remove online discount - MSE News

Cardew

dales1 wrote: »

These new terms DO apply to fixed-rate tariffs (like mine).

They sent me an email to say so.


My 2 year OVO fix expires near the end of September 2019.
I expected to receive almost £15 credit during that quarter.
After this change to my fix's conditions, I will receive Nothing (unless I take a new OVO fix).


What a swindle !


(PS I got this fix through MSE energy club.
MSE should fix it !!)

I also am on the Dual fuel OVO 2 year fix ending Sept 2019. I run it on-line and pay by DD



I just received an Email explaining that the on-line discount is being replaced by the 'self serve' discount. See:

An important update to our terms and conditions



Hello Cardew,



We're always looking to improve the way we do things, so we are replacing our Online Discount scheme with a new Self Service Reward which is easier to understand.



More details about the changes are explained below, including updates to OVO Energy's terms and conditions. These changes take effect from 1st October 2018.



If there is another person named on your account, please make sure they are aware of these changes.



How much is the reward?

The Self Service Reward amount remains the same great value of up to £60 each year (dual fuel), but we've made the rules much simpler around what you need to do to earn the reward.



How does the reward work?

Customers on a fixed rate, All Online plan will qualify for the Self Service Reward. To earn the reward you need to do just three simple things:



1. Self-serve and manage your account online. This includes having a valid email address at all times, receiving all communications electronically, and using our great online tools such as My OVO and the OVO Energy app where possible, instead of contacting us (whether by phone, email or otherwise) except in the case of an emergency;



2. Pay your direct debit on time and at least the recommended amount (or more) each month; and



3. Provide meter readings online at least once every three months (unless you have a communicating smart meter which will do this for you automatically).



We will check at the end of every calendar quarter if you've qualified for the reward. And if you have we'll credit £7.50 per fuel to your account. Simple! If you don't meet these rules in a calendar quarter, don't worry, you won't lose the reward for the rest of the year. We'll still apply the Self Service Reward to your account the next time you have met the rules in a full calendar quarter*.



* Calendar quarters are three month periods running from 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October each year. The first calendar quarter will run from 1st October to 31st December 2018 (inclusive).


How will this affect my bills?

If you meet the rules and earn the Self Service Reward in a calendar quarter, a credit of £7.50 (or £15 if you are a dual fuel customer) will be added to your account within 15 days after the end of that quarter and you will see this on your next bill after the quarter ends. However, if you don't receive the Self Service Reward one calendar quarter, we will still apply the Self Service Reward to your bill following the next quarter in which you have met the rules.

As I comply with the new rules, the only difference will be that the credit of £15 will be paid quarterly instead of £5 monthly.

dales1

Cardew wrote: »

As I comply with the new rules, the only difference will be that the credit of £15 will be paid quarterly instead of £5 monthly.

You forgot to read this in your email from OVO
"14.4 What if something changes during my contract? If your contract ends for any reason during a calendar quarter, then you will not be eligible to receive the Self Service Reward unless you renew onto a qualifying tariff with OVO Energy before your current contract expires. Your contract will end if, for example, you move house or switch to a different supplier during your contract, or you roll onto a variable plan after your fixed plan expires."

So you will lose your final quarter's discount unless you take a new OVO fix.

dales1

Terry98 wrote: »

I do not think the Online Discount is included in MSE saving calculations. Most companies are withdrawing or tightening up on these 'perks' now.

MSE certainly did include the online discount in my tariff comparison of September 2017 when I switched to this OVO fix.
At £30 per fuel (ie £60 pa) it was an important factor in choosing OVO back then.

Raxiel

BarkingMad wrote: »

Yes, the new online discount.

For dual fuel, if you leave or your tariff ends in the 3rd month of the quarter your discount will be £0 instead of £10 (£5 for the 2 months of the quarter).

It also seems as though if you contact them by any means - you will not get a discount.

[FONT=&quot]14.5[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]How will you apply the Self Service Reward Rules?[/FONT][FONT=&quot] We will apply the rules using our fair discretion at all times.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]For example:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]'Self-serve'[/FONT][FONT=&quot] means that you use all online tools available such as My OVO, the OVO Energy app and OVO Help to manage your account instead of contacting us (by any means, including phone, email or social media), unless you want to make a complaint or you have an emergency.[/FONT]

Seems a bit over the top. No more good comments on Twitter. It seems strange that its called an "online" discount and email and social media (which are online services) are excluded from the contact methods.

I'm glad E.ON don't charge me for talking to Malc and Helena!

jackobytes

I switched through MSE Energy Club:money: to OVO in October 2017 on a 2-yr fixed rate deal.
Today 29.11.2018 I got an email from Ovo titled "Your Ovo Contract", which upon reading it states that cost / Unit for Gas and Electric, as well as Standing charges for both are all being increased if my calculations are correct they equate to approximately 5% hike for Electric and Standing Charge and 20% for Gas.


Energy Type

---

Oct 2017

---

New Rate
Electric Day

---

14.68 p ===> 15.41 p
Electric Night

---

7.29 p ===> 7.65 p
Electric Standing

---

27.40 p ===> 28.77 p


Gas

---

2.57 p ===> 3.09 p
Gas Standing

---

27.40 p ===> 28.77 p


As I moved onto a FIXED for 2-Year deal via MSE Energy Club, there should not be any increases. I guess this gives me the option to switch within 30 days of getting this email without any exit penalties, as OVO have breached their original contract ?

I need to do all the sums, before deciding to switch but, want to on principle. I also noticed over this year the Online Discount was not paid at £15.00 per quarter as promised, so have to check that too.

Cardew

jackobytes wrote: »

I switched through MSE Energy Club:money: to OVO in October 2017 on a 2-yr fixed rate deal.
Today 29.11.2018 I got an email from Ovo titled "Your Ovo Contract", which upon reading it states that cost / Unit for Gas and Electric, as well as Standing charges for both are all being increased if my calculations are correct they equate to approximately 5% hike for Electric and Standing Charge and 20% for Gas.


Energy Type

---

Oct 2017

---

New Rate
Electric Day

---

14.68 p ===> 15.41 p
Electric Night

---

7.29 p ===> 7.65 p
Electric Standing

---

27.40 p ===> 28.77 p


Gas

---

2.57 p ===> 3.09 p
Gas Standing

---

27.40 p ===> 28.77 p


As I moved onto a FIXED for 2-Year deal via MSE Energy Club, there should not be any increases. I guess this gives me the option to switch within 30 days of getting this email without any exit penalties, as OVO have breached their original contract ?

I need to do all the sums, before deciding to switch but, want to on principle. I also noticed over this year the Online Discount was not paid at £15.00 per quarter as promised, so have to check that too.

Welcome to the forum



I am also on OVO 2 year fixed and have not had any such notification.


I joined 26 Sept 2017(gas = 2.66p/kWh and electricity 11.96p/kWh) and the tariff was simply called '2 year Fixed energy(all on line)' and showed the end date as 25 Sept 2019.


My latest statement 21 Nov calls the tariff: '2 Year Fixed Energy (all on line March 2018.'

The prices and end date have not changed.


If I recall correctly I just scraped in on 26 Sep 2017 and the tariff was withdrawn a day or so later. As you joined in October 2017 was it the same tariff? i.e. on your statements does it say 'fixed'?

Edit.


They changed the on-line discount to self service reward

Whilst you are on an All Online tariff, you could receive £7.50 per fuel per calendar quarter if you meet our
Self Service Reward requirements**.
You're already on our cheapest similar tariff.
2 Year Fixed Energy (all online)
Our cheapest similar gas tariff
You're already on our cheapest overall tariff.
2 Year Fixed Energy (all online)
Our cheapest overall gas tariff
*If you switch tariffs or are on our variable rate, your prices and future annual cost can change.
**To earn our
Self Service Reward
, you’ll need to do just 3 simple things:
1. Manage your account online instead
of contacting us where possible (whether by phone, email or otherwise), except in the case of an
emergency. This includes receiving all communications electronically.
2. Pay on time
by direct debit and at least the recommended amount (or more) each month.
3. Provide meter readings online
at least once every 3 months. If you satisfy all of these requirements in a calendar quarter, then we will
credit your account with £7.50 per fuel for that quarter as a thank you. However, if you don’t receive the Self Service Reward one quarter, we
will still apply the Self Service Reward to your bill the next time you have met the rules in a full calendar quarter. T&

jackobytes

Thanks for Welcome


Tariff Name on my latest bill dated 15 Nov 2018 is shown as
2 Year Fixed Energy -
Economy 7 (all online) 20
March 2018


It also shows the original prices.


The increased values were only shown in attachment to the "Your Ovo Energy Contract" email, so I am now wondering if that was sent to me in error.


I have asked OVO, using their Online Complaint Form, and will give them the chance to explain and update this thread when I get a response from them.
If increase goes ahead, based on this years usage, I would be paying an extra £127 in the next 12 months.

jackobytes

A reply from OVO below ....


Firstly I'll like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the communication you relieved on the 29th November 2018 about your Ovo energy Contract. I can confirm that you're currently on a two year fixed tariff as of the 04/10/2017 and your rates are fixed and will not be reviewed until 04/10/2019. The difference between the rates you've quoted are simply your current rates with and without the compulsory 5% VAT. [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Your rates have in no way been changed or been affected by any price increases and will remain the same until your renewal date. [/FONT]


So it seems that I misunderstood their communication and that FIXED does mean FIXED for contract duration.

Cardew

jackobytes wrote: »

A reply from OVO below ....


Firstly I'll like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the communication you relieved on the 29th November 2018 about your Ovo energy Contract. I can confirm that you're currently on a two year fixed tariff as of the 04/10/2017 and your rates are fixed and will not be reviewed until 04/10/2019. The difference between the rates you've quoted are simply your current rates with and without the compulsory 5% VAT. [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Your rates have in no way been changed or been affected by any price increases and will remain the same until your renewal date. [/FONT]


So it seems that I misunderstood their communication and that FIXED does mean FIXED for contract duration.

That doesn't explain the apparent 20% increase in gas unit(kWh) price. You posted:

Gas

---

2.57 p ===> 3.09 p
Gas Standing

---

27.40 p ===> 28.77 p

2.57 + 5% = 2.6985