Outfox The Market Direct Debit changes

hubb

And yet the Energy Club gives no warning or update about OFTM when they come up in it's search. Martin should be onto this.

hubb

I am going to go with the Green Energy network with a fixed but I fear the switch won't kick in before OFTM take my next DD.

Scatty

Scatty wrote: »

I've just sent this. Totally peed off. Trouble is, they're still the lowest for me as I'm an incredibly low gas user.

Dear Sirs

I strongly object to the increase in my direct debit from £41.95 to £73.41. I moved to you as you had a low DD all year around.

You also think I'm going to vastly increase my usage. I am a low to medium user.

Based on your calculations, £73.41 x 6 = £440.46 and £31.46 x 6 = £188.76. Add these together and divide by 12 months = £52.43. Why haven't you just put my DD up to that instead of £41.95, considering I am in credit to the tune of £127!

I would like my DD to be £52 a month but if you insist on whacking it up by £31.46 a month (totally destroying my carefully set household budget) then I would like my credit refunded to me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards.

So, I've had an email this morning to say that my DD is now going to be £58, not £77, and this is until further notice. No idea if that is the new "winter" figure or all year round.

I had just instigated a move to Green Network Energy and now I'm unsure whether to go ahead as this is a more realistic figure (although they estimate my usage at £696 instead of £628 (although its actually around £560)). GNE DD is £52 and I would transfer my credit balance from OTM once received.

Decisions, decisions..........

hubb

Scatty wrote: »

So, I've had an email this morning to say that my DD is now going to be £58, not £77, and this is until further notice. No idea if that is the new "winter" figure or all year round.

I had just instigated a move to Green Network Energy and now I'm unsure whether to go ahead as this is a more realistic figure (although they estimate my usage at £696 instead of £628 (although its actually around £560)). GNE DD is £52 and I would transfer my credit balance from OTM once received.

Decisions, decisions..........

They seem to want proof in the for of photographs of meter readings. I don't like this distrust they have so very tempted to jump to GEN. Like yourself though, it will be more per month but don't want to get caught with more price increases. Besides, it's impossible for me to take a photo of my gas meter as itis tucked in an awkward corner inside a kitchen cupboard.

[Deleted User]

Martin has said many times that there is no guarantee that these new small companies are viable propositions, and that MSE or the energy club is not an expert in financial matters or qualified to give financial advice. Until he gets feedback, just like the rest of us, it is a bit of a gamble. When you become a customer of a small company, you may pay less for your energy and you take the commensurate risk whether they are going to provide the service they offer or go titsiup. The larger companies tend to give more security and better customer care, but charge more for it. I look on it as an investment, I give them my money in return for cheap energy. I know that there is no such thing as a sure thing...if there was, then there would be no investment, gambling is really for those with spare money. Anyway, in the long term you should be able to get some of your money back via OFFGEM rules and the industry levy. However, there are no guarantees.The scheme is a stopgap, emergency procedure. The money you pay into any company is not secured unless it is placed in and ESCROW account, and even then...

From what we have established on this forum, there are at least 3 energy companies involved under the umbrella of a Maltese Holding Company called Foxglove.. Foxglove, according to its limited accounts has big financial commitments over the next year and a substantial debt this year.

Scatty

hubb wrote: »

They seem to want proof in the for of photographs of meter readings. I don't like this distrust they have so very tempted to jump to GEN. Like yourself though, it will be more per month but don't want to get caught with more price increases. Besides, it's impossible for me to take a photo of my gas meter as itis tucked in an awkward corner inside a kitchen cupboard.

I actually made an error - it's £43 DD with GNE! So the same roughly. I'm going ahead with my swap even though they lowered my DD without any photographic proof. The standing charge is nearly half of my membership fee, although Elec unit price 4p higher. Pennies!

Distrust has set in with OTM here too.

[Deleted User]

Just goes to show...a little bit of thinking and a little bit of work, can bring some successful results...and in most unexpected ways...even if it may be by now a useless offer.

At least you have given them a run for their money. And getting your meter readings accepted is a big success for the likes of me, who also has difficulty with reading the electricity meter due to its awkward position and height.


From what I have seen here, there are two kinds of customer contracts with OFTM. There are those on a variable rate no fixed term contract and those on a fixed term contract. The ones on a variable rate only with no fixed contract will find it much easier to leave, as they just have to switch to another company. What they have to watch is that the company doesn't take more than it is currently due up until the switch takes place...and as they pay by direct debit, this can easily be done. They also have to make sure that they communicate with the company and complain about the change in DD and ask for a calculation of how much they will have paid and will owe, and then they can check it against their own figures. They should submit photo readings if they can but ordinary readings if they can't and explain why. They should do this by email and by going to their account on the website, to make sure that the company cannot deny that it hasn't received them. These precautions need to be taken because the company is no longer to be trusted due to its arbitrary actions and potentially weak financial position and you have to protect yourself and your money.


The second group are those who are on a fixed term, fixed price contract. They have a greater difficulty in that they just can't leave or stop their DD's without risking financial penalties from the company. It would appear that the company has the legal right to spread and vary the monthly direct debit as they think fit...within OFFGEM guidelines....Though this is disputable, because it could be argued that part of the contract was the large advertising campaign on the website offering one DD payment per month if you joined them, and even gave a figure. They should also contact the company and complain about the fact that they were told it was a fixed DD, and ask for a reassessment, based on their ability to pay, and ask them for a breakdown of the calculations they are using. Then you will get a better picture on what it is they are doing and whether they are getting it right. Them getting it right is important. It also takes time and properly qualified staff to do it properly. That is what they should have done in the first place. For instance if you are disabled, or on a small income, or on benefits...Let the company know.



It would be helpful if you gave some feedback on here so that the rest of the forum who are interested, can look at it and find out what is helpful and what the drawbacks are, and use the successful advances as an approach for an improvement from the company.



I hope that you find those few ideas helpful, and if you have any other suggestions please put them forward so that we can look at them...
ATB
Dougie.

hubb

DouglasRankine wrote: »

Just goes to show...a little bit of thinking and a little bit of work, can bring some successful results...and in most unexpected ways...even if it may be by now a useless offer.

At least you have given them a run for their money. And getting your meter readings accepted is a big success for the likes of me, who also has difficulty with reading the electricity meter due to its awkward position and height.


From what I have seen here, there are two kinds of customer contracts with OFTM. There are those on a variable rate no fixed term contract and those on a fixed term contract. The ones on a variable rate only with no fixed contract will find it much easier to leave, as they just have to switch to another company. What they have to watch is that the company doesn't take more than it is currently due up until the switch takes place...and as they pay by direct debit, this can easily be done. They also have to make sure that they communicate with the company and complain about the change in DD and ask for a calculation of how much they will have paid and will owe, and then they can check it against their own figures. They should submit photo readings if they can but ordinary readings if they can't and explain why. They should do this by email and by going to their account on the website, to make sure that the company cannot deny that it hasn't received them. These precautions need to be taken because the company is no longer to be trusted due to its arbitrary actions and potentially weak financial position and you have to protect yourself and your money.


The second group are those who are on a fixed term, fixed price contract. They have a greater difficulty in that they just can't leave or stop their DD's without risking financial penalties from the company. It would appear that the company has the legal right to spread and vary the monthly direct debit as they think fit...within OFFGEM guidelines....Though this is disputable, because it could be argued that part of the contract was the large advertising campaign on the website offering one DD payment per month if you joined them, and even gave a figure. They should also contact the company and complain about the fact that they were told it was a fixed DD, and ask for a reassessment, based on their ability to pay, and ask them for a breakdown of the calculations they are using. Then you will get a better picture on what it is they are doing and whether they are getting it right. Them getting it right is important. It also takes time and properly qualified staff to do it properly. That is what they should have done in the first place. For instance if you are disabled, or on a small income, or on benefits...Let the company know.



It would be helpful if you gave some feedback on here so that the rest of the forum who are interested, can look at it and find out what is helpful and what the drawbacks are, and use the successful advances as an approach for an improvement from the company.



I hope that you find those few ideas helpful, and if you have any other suggestions please put them forward so that we can look at them...
ATB
Dougie.

For variable customers, wouldn't it be easier just to cancel their DD as soon as the switch is implemented ?

orangesnaps

DouglasRankine wrote: »

Just goes to show...a little bit of thinking and a little bit of work, can bring some successful results...and in most unexpected ways...even if it may be by now a useless offer.

At least you have given them a run for their money. And getting your meter readings accepted is a big success for the likes of me, who also has difficulty with reading the electricity meter due to its awkward position and height.


From what I have seen here, there are two kinds of customer contracts with OFTM. There are those on a variable rate no fixed term contract and those on a fixed term contract. The ones on a variable rate only with no fixed contract will find it much easier to leave, as they just have to switch to another company. What they have to watch is that the company doesn't take more than it is currently due up until the switch takes place...and as they pay by direct debit, this can easily be done. They also have to make sure that they communicate with the company and complain about the change in DD and ask for a calculation of how much they will have paid and will owe, and then they can check it against their own figures. They should submit photo readings if they can but ordinary readings if they can't and explain why. They should do this by email and by going to their account on the website, to make sure that the company cannot deny that it hasn't received them. These precautions need to be taken because the company is no longer to be trusted due to its arbitrary actions and potentially weak financial position and you have to protect yourself and your money.


The second group are those who are on a fixed term, fixed price contract. They have a greater difficulty in that they just can't leave or stop their DD's without risking financial penalties from the company. It would appear that the company has the legal right to spread and vary the monthly direct debit as they think fit...within OFFGEM guidelines....Though this is disputable, because it could be argued that part of the contract was the large advertising campaign on the website offering one DD payment per month if you joined them, and even gave a figure. They should also contact the company and complain about the fact that they were told it was a fixed DD, and ask for a reassessment, based on their ability to pay, and ask them for a breakdown of the calculations they are using. Then you will get a better picture on what it is they are doing and whether they are getting it right. Them getting it right is important. It also takes time and properly qualified staff to do it properly. That is what they should have done in the first place. For instance if you are disabled, or on a small income, or on benefits...Let the company know.



It would be helpful if you gave some feedback on here so that the rest of the forum who are interested, can look at it and find out what is helpful and what the drawbacks are, and use the successful advances as an approach for an improvement from the company.



I hope that you find those few ideas helpful, and if you have any other suggestions please put them forward so that we can look at them...
ATB
Dougie.

I have just sent them another complaint but this time copying consumer affairs of ofgem.
I am on one of their fixed tariffs and the earliest I can switch without the £100 exit is in March of next year. However, their customer service rep who I spoke to in their chat service said that there will be no exit fees even for customers who switched even if they are in a fixed tariff but I do not trust her word. I do have the transcript of that chat but I have asked for confirmation. I am planning to switch as we no longer trust the company and also they have change the terms and conditions without informing their customers, the changes that they have made mainly favours them. The imbalance is quite wide and for them not to inform customers is poor business practice.
We get the occasional email from companies like Yahoo, Gmail, PayPal and the likes whenever they change their terms & conditions and give us a choice to accept it or leave. Why haven't this company done it? I no longer agree to the new terms & conditions and should be able to leave without penalties.

orangesnaps

Scatty wrote: »

I actually made an error - it's £43 DD with GNE! So the same roughly. I'm going ahead with my swap even though they lowered my DD without any photographic proof. The standing charge is nearly half of my membership fee, although Elec unit price 4p higher. Pennies!

Distrust has set in with OTM here too.

I have sent an email with photos of the meter readings, I have developed the habit of taking photos of my meter readings whenever I take it just so I have proof in case they start something but I haven't had any reply from them yet and no reply to my initial email complaint and no reply from their accounts department about the refund of the credit in my account.