Outfox The Market Direct Debit changes

martyp

I've sent the e-mail as they have suggested in their response to the outcry on the changes with photos of my meters showing the current readings. They have predicted my costs as £569 yet I calculated their new payment plan as being £612. I've only been with them since September so have a small credit balance so far but historically my gas bills have been about £20 in the winter months so their proposed £71 a month instead of the £40 I'm paying now is way too much.
My only cheaper option is Zog for gas and Enstroga for electric but although my experience with Zog before has been great, Enstroga is a step into the unknown and scary based on them getting such bad reviews. They quoted me on dual fuel and not their electric only 'Autumn Attraction' which now appears to have gone up from the prices in the MSE Energy Club but their tariff info by region seems to be unobtainable anywhere.
Also, may already be something people here have done but even though I'm on the Zapp July tariff I use the Zapp November one on the MSE Energy Club as that has the prices on the Zapp July tariff from 13th December.

Barneybear1

My statements on their website are non existent, my energy usage returns a web page error. How did they work out doubling my dd payment.
I would love to know if i cance my dd payment with them would affect my credit rating or not

[Deleted User]

Hi Martyp

Tx for the info....perhaps you can keep the forum informed of your results...and perhaps everyone else who is interested can do too. We can then start to build a picture of what is happening with the company and how it is responding to individual emails and queries....This can help guide us as individuals to dealing, or negotiating with the company in a much better way. Most companies tend to deal with and treat people as individuals, which is as they should do, but they also think that those individuals are incapable of sharing information about what is going on. Once they know and learn that in fact others are sharing their information and acting in concert, then they tend to wisen up a bit if they are a good company, and start to listen properly, take advice and change their policies. No one wants small companies to fail, and we should do our best to encourage them to adopt better practices, then it is good for everyone...in my view.

It is nice to know how other people are getting along and sharing their experiences and information. I have been learning a lot from my short time on this MSE forum and am very grateful for all the learning and advice I have received from others so far...
ATB
Dougie.

[Deleted User]

Dear Barney Bear,
There are no guarantees what this company will do. Not paying the DD can be construed as a breach of the contract, however it is disputable as to whether they have broken the contract first. They have certainly lost their customers' trust. It appears to me that the company is getting desperate financially, which is why it has taken the measures it has done, they are in actual fact, panicking and not thinking it through, which is probably due to a lack of experience and practice and talent. The reason that I will be stopping my DD is because I know I am already in credit, and if I am wrong I am quite prepared to pay them any further money by credit card, but they will have to give me a proper bill which is properly accounted for, first. Also, I don't live outside of my means, and rarely if ever need credit.There is no point in my overpaying or underpaying them, as I just want to finish with them as soon as possible and move on to pastures new. If the money I owe them for energy usage is over £100, then my credit card payment is safeguarded by the credit card company. This means that if they accuse me of trying to avoid payment, they won't have a leg to stand on, and referring me to a credit reference agency, as a bad payer, or even "sending the boys" in, is going to do them more harm than good. Personally, I can't see them doing that...but with a company like this, one never knows.
ATB
Dougie.

wavelets

Barneybear1 wrote: »

My statements on their website are non existent, my energy usage returns a web page error. How did they work out doubling my dd payment.
I would love to know if i cance my dd payment with them would affect my credit rating or not

You are free to cancel your DDI at any time - best to contact your bank to do this, but you should inform the supplier likewise.

Cancellation of any DDI will not directly affect your credit rating, but may put you in breach of contract with the supplier; refer to the terms agreed.

If you have any issue with the level of the DD set to be collected monthly, MSE have a really useful article to assist you here:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/

However, some suppliers have terms that allow them to temporarily increase the monthly payment if you join them in the run up to winter, so as to try to ensure your account does not go into debit over the expensive winter period; again check the terms you agreed to.

[Deleted User]

Dear Wavelets,
That is a very good article, tx for the info. I learned a lot from it. For those of you who want more information about Direct Debits and what happens when you cancel them, then I suggest that you read this article. Be aware though, that if you cancel your direct debit, you may be opening yourself to extra charges, and be in breach of contract, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you have built up a large credit with the company. May I remind you that you should of course, use the company's complaints procedure first, so that they have the opportunity to reply and take your personal circumstances into consideration. Also, you can use Complaint Resolver to help you focus on the nature of your complaint and take up the complaint on your behalf. Many companies, particularly those who are prepared to learn and wisen up, when they realise that an outside agency is involved with the individual complaint, make sure that they give due consideration and omit superfluous reasons for the action which they wish to pursue. I have found Complaint Resolver an invaluable resource for taking up my case in the past...and it is free.
ATB
Dougie.

Merlin139

If you cancel your DD they will try and set up a new DD. This will then need 14 days before they can collect the money.

If they are unable to collect using the new DD they will charge £25

This was told to me yesterday by a customer services manager at OFTM yesterday.

I have cancelled my DD and told them after they have actually carried out a review of my account I will allow the new DD at a realistic amount.

[Deleted User]

Hi Merlin 139,
Tx for the info. Did they explain to you under what part of the contract that they could charge you an extra £25 for stopping your DD and why it is £25 and not £1 or £100? That would be an interesting point to find out. And, if perchance, they are entitled to do so...How are they going to get you to pay it? Take you to court perhaps? hee hee... There is an old saying in English law which says that one must come to equity with clean hands...and OFTM hasn't been very clean have they?


Now, I cannot advise you to do anything unlawful, but the civil law in this country says that nothing is prohibited unless it is prevented by law.

And, remember, that they will try to re-instate the direct debit, so that they can take the money away. Keep a watch on your bank account, or warn your banker about this tactic and explain to them how OutFoxTheMarket is undermining the direct debit system, which is such a convenient way of doing business in our socieity...It is always good to spread the knowledge as far as you can.

Good luck...and please keep us informed.
ATB
Dougie.

VoucherMan

Barneybear1 wrote: »

My statements on their website are non existent,

NO, NO, NO. You MUST be mistaken. It clearly says on their website

How often do I receive a statement?
You will receive a monthly bill in your customer portal, viewable before your specified direct debit date.

I have emailed them twice about this before, and even got an acknowledgement once saying they will 'look into it'.


My direct debit is due to be collected tomorrow, and as per their revised T&C

• You maintain your account in credit, increasing your Direct Debit amount where necessary.

I was hoping to ensure I am still sufficiently in credit, but they have again failed to keep up their side of the bargain so I have no idea what my bill will be. I continue to give monthly meter readings on the dates requested, but they continue to use estimates for my bills.




If, or I should say when they take my money without providing a copy my bill I am tempted to write to them again and threaten to cancel my DD until the bill is there.


Or maybe I'll ask them to put back my DD date to allow them enough time to sort the bill.

[Deleted User]

Hi Voucherman,
If you wish to stop your DD you should get on to your bank as soon as it opens tomorrow morning and explain why you wish to stop it. No use in threatening anyone, they will take it with a pinch of salt. Make sure that you have your arguments ready to put your case to the company and the bank. Banks do not like stopping DD's as it disrupts the system of easy payments between people and organisations for services rendered.

Also, my advice is to get on to OFTM and ask them for an up to date statement, and then you will look to see if it is accurate and then you will CONSIDER renewing the DD. Banks like at least 4 days to cancel a DD unless it is an emergency or a fraud.
Remember...no bill...no payment. How can one pay a bill for which there is no breakdown of the amount and price. I remember, many years ago I had a dispute with British Gas. It finished up with them sending me 3 different bills, and threatening me with "getting the boys in" one of those debt collecting agencies, which are sold customer debts on at a discount. The "boys" had to go away with their tail between their legs when I showed them the 3 bills.
ATB
Dougie.