Outfox The Market Direct Debit changes

Scatty

Hengus wrote: »

There is no need to inform your present supplier that you are leaving: the transfer of supply and all associated industry flows are managed by the gaining supplier. Under EU Law, and the terms of its Supply Licence, the losing supplier has up to 6 weeks from the date of transfer(note this can be up to 35 days after you apply to switch) to raise a Final Bill. Any refund will then follow. Clearly, if you do switch, then you will need to look very carefully at the terms and conditions of your chosen supplier. Many now ask for payment in advance of supply and INSIST that there is sufficient credit in the account to cover the following month's energy charges.

In sum, it is perhaps worth putting your annoyance at OFTM to one side, and thinking through whether switching so late in the season (ie; with Winter coming up) might result in greater short term financial pain? Just a thought.

Yes the new provider asks for payment upfront of the first direct debit which is fine, and I'm planning on transferring my OTM credit onto the new account so it was as OTM had it. I will even transfer that out of my savings until such time as OTM refund me. I'm aware there would be a shortfall otherwise and I did think long and hard about whether or not to cancel the switch.

I have had SO many issues with OTM since I signed up that it's not even annoyance now, it's resignation to the sheer inability to run my account right. I know I don't have to inform them I am moving but if I can get on the chat, then I will.

My new provider seems so much more efficient already....

Scatty

merchcon55 wrote: »

EXCELLENT ADVICE - many of the smaller suppliers not only ask for one month in advance, but if you join during the winter months ask for LARGER Direct Debit payments for the November - March period.

They know my estimated usage and have quoted me the DD they have. I am transferring my balance (or equivalent from my savings in the meantime) from OTM so I will be in exactly the same position. I have thought about it. My OTM account was run so shoddily that I want peace of mind now.

orangesnaps

Merlin139 wrote: »

They put it in writing for me on 15/11/18 in a webchat. If its good enough for one then its good enough for everyone!


I have the transcript of the webchat in an E-mail sent from:

noreply@PureChat.com at 10:19 11/15/2018

I have it as well in my chat transcript from last week but the customer rep backtracked today and said, that there is and he/she can only apologise but there will be an exit fee as I'm on a fixed tariff. I argued that it shouldn't be impose because they have change their terms and conditions and I no longer agree to it but she said that it stands.
I am now waiting to hear from their complaints department. Worse comes to worse, I will go with Bulb as they pay for any exit fees.

hj78

hubb wrote: »

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.

I agree with this point, I put a lot of trust/faith into MSE and switched to OTM as part of the Energy Club comparison tool, so I am a little surprised not to have seen much of a reaction from them about this yet, only 1 article explaining what OTM have done and they've reached out for a response … whilst MSE could never have foreseen OTM changing the DDs in this way we still look to MSE for support when these things happen!

I have now emailed OTM, their webchat is still turned off, including a 2nd time with photos of my meter readings, but still no reply … anyone else getting a response?

alittleowl

DD cancelled and bank instructed to block any move to reinstate it. I'll be checking my OFtM account daily to make sure they don't try to sneak in a revised bill. And I've initiated a switch back to e.on on a fixed tariff for 12 months. I'm expecting OFtM to introduce problems and I don't expect to see the money they owe me for a long time, if ever. In hindsight I feel naive for trusting comparison sites like this one, and for assuming that the cheapest deal was the best one. In the 15+ years of being with e.on I never had any need to contact their customer services and it just didn't occur to me that this sort of cowboy outfit would be allowed to operate in the energy market. More fool me. E.on's bills went up when I expected them to go up, they went down when the kids left home, they paid me back my credit when it went over £200 without me having to ask them. I'm just glad my pensioner parents have always resisted my attempts to move them from British Gas because they thought it would be too problematic. Turns out my Dad is still always right.

MadMat

Hengus wrote: »

In sum, it is perhaps worth putting your annoyance at OFTM to one side, and thinking through whether switching so late in the season (ie; with Winter coming up) might result in greater short term financial pain? Just a thought.

I wish I could, OTM are still the lowest unit price out there, especially as I fixed in January, but I'm self employed in a seasonal industry, my income is lower in Winter than in Summer! the fixed yearly DD for all my utilities is a vital part of my budgeting. Springing this huge increase on me at this time of year is bringing me close to the point of having to decide between paying the gas bill or feeding the kids!

Mat

alexmcleodnairn

I switched to Outfox starting October 2018. My first bill charged the contract price to the end of Oct and then an increased price from 1 Nov without any notice. Now another increase (at least with notification this time) next month. I thought legislation requires 30 days notice of any price increase.

[Deleted User]

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/gas/retail-market/market-review-and-reform/notification-price-changes


30 days according to OFFGEM
ATB
Dougie.

fotofaze

Make sure you check their estimate of your usage. My electricity estimate was 25% higher than my average since I switched in July.

Looks like I can get a better deal now elsewhere so I'll probably switch away from them, taking my £120 credit. They might find themselves with less available funds instead of more, and then when the prices all drop in April, they could be in real problems.

[Deleted User]

You can log a complaint by sending an email to complaints@outfoxthemarket.co.uk If it bounces try complaint@outfoxthemarket.co.uk


Once you have had the reply, if you feel that you still have a case, then, if you feel like it, you can copy the complaint and/or make representations and send them direct to OFFGEM, your M.P. any consumer organisations, or programmes, you feel like, by putting their email address in the "To" line. Even your local weights and measures department. The Consumers Organisation is very good if you are a member. Even your local or national newspaper might be interested in taking up your story. In that way you show that you mean business and are not to be fobbed off. Up to you. I hope this helps

ATB
Dougie.