Outfox The Market Direct Debit changes

geoffplus

Only just joined, and was going to stay to see what happens because of low rates, but this rise makes it not such a good deal. Switching now to fixed 2 year deal. Wonder if it will go smoothly?

jaybeetoo

_Mezzanine_ wrote: »

Only 4 days to go until I leave and I've calculated what I will owe them for this month (just gave meter readings to new supplier). OFTM will owe me £40-50 refund without taking December's DD. I know it might make things a bit messy but I'm seriously considering cancelling my DD that's due next week as I'm getting increasingly concerned about their solvency. It might be harder to get my £50 back but I don't want them to take another £110-£140 (I've had conflicting emails) just for them to owe me more and return it along with my existing credit in a couple months time (with luck). Views?

I don’t think they should take a DD after you’ve left unless it is for the final bill. If they take the DD contact your bank to get it refunded. That’s what I intend to do.

techno12

After receiving this mail I've just done a comparison on MoneySuperMarket and Outfox will still be cheaper than the best (Lumo) for me.

I'm a low user, 2500 elec, 3000 gas.

Super annoyed at the 30%+ hike since I joined in the summer, but somehow they're still cheap.

Nicholas-bloody-Parsons

Chaos in the Wholesale Natural Gas markets. Wholesale Prices have spiked 42% in a month and up 7% this week!!! Which might explain the increases in bills.

Big mistake going with this bunch of amateurs! Its probably a mistake to move to a long fixed tariff right now. As wholesale prices should fall back but it may be a few weeks imo.

Think I will hang on until January as there is not much saving moving to next best tariffs ( FirstUtility or Lumo) right now.

mije1983

techno12 wrote: »

After receiving this mail I've just done a comparison on MoneySuperMarket and Outfox will still be cheaper than the best (Lumo) for me.

I'm a low user, 2500 elec, 3000 gas.

Super annoyed at the 30%+ hike since I joined in the summer, but somehow they're still cheap.

Bear in mind that MSE CEC isn't the quickest at updating the tariff details. For example, my tariff on there hasn't been updated for a while and the prices are way out so don't take it's results as gospel. Make sure the units prices it is assuming match what you are actually paying to get a true comparison, and if they are not, find a tariff charging similar amounts (that is what I have done).

Also don't forget that if you are a low user you will probably be harder hit. The move from 'membership fee' to normal standing charge is going to cost you at least £6 a month extra, and that is before you use any energy and factor in unit cost rises.

john-306

Nicholas-bloody-Parsons wrote: »

Chaos in the Wholesale Natural Gas markets. Wholesale Prices have spiked 42% in a month and up 7% this week!!! Which might explain the increases in bills.

Its worth noting that Gas prices usually follow crude oil prices which have actually fallen 30%. There is a reasonable expectation that the gas price spike is temporary.

Big mistake going with this bunch of amateurs! Its probably a mistake to move to a long fixed tariff right now. As wholesale prices should fall back but it may be a few weeks imo.


Think I will hang on until January as there is no saving moving to next best tariffs ( FirstUtility or Lumo) right now.

Yes it's still saying outfox is cheaper for me too, but it hasn't taken into account the price rises yet.

martyp

techno12 wrote: »

After receiving this mail I've just done a comparison on MoneySuperMarket and Outfox will still be cheaper than the best (Lumo) for me.

I'm a low user, 2500 elec, 3000 gas.

Super annoyed at the 30%+ hike since I joined in the summer, but somehow they're still cheap.

As mentioned above I would be careful trusting the data on the comparison sites as I've noticed the rates being a bit out of date and I figured that when I selected the July Zapp! tariff it was on old rates so chose the November one for comparison instead.
I used my own EAC values with the new rates for January in a spreadsheet to pretty much match the calculations they have quoted me and they are definitely not the cheapest for me anymore, I could save over £100 switching now whereas when I switched they were by far the cheapest.

Carltonbp

techno12 wrote: »

After receiving this mail I've just done a comparison on MoneySuperMarket and Outfox will still be cheaper than the best (Lumo) for me.

I'm a low user, 2500 elec, 3000 gas.

Super annoyed at the 30%+ hike since I joined in the summer, but somehow they're still cheap.

I did that but the unit and standing figures are wrong. On my spreadsheet I created OFTM is £671, accordming to CTM OFTM were cheaper than everyone a lot are now cheaper than OFTM for me. Even British gas on Quidco compare is cheaper, that should be all the proof anyone needs.

techno12

Yup - I jumped the gun earlier.

Just taken some time to read the "annual cost" (rather than the individual rates etc) for my usage and Lumo is way cheaper than Outfox will be come January.

So, I've just switched...

Hopefully my 2nd "Mickey Mouse" energy supplier will be better than the first! (had 15 years with Npower who were great, and competitive, until this year then their latest fixed tariff was crazy expensive like 30% more than my previous, hence the switch to Outfox... I guess Npower knew the way the wholesale markets were going hence the huge hike in this year's 'deal' earlier this year when it was time for me to renew)

Steve456

_Mezzanine_ wrote: »

Only 4 days to go until I leave and I've calculated what I will owe them for this month (just gave meter readings to new supplier). OFTM will owe me £40-50 refund without taking December's DD. I know it might make things a bit messy but I'm seriously considering cancelling my DD that's due next week as I'm getting increasingly concerned about their solvency. It might be harder to get my £50 back but I don't want them to take another £110-£140 (I've had conflicting emails) just for them to owe me more and return it along with my existing credit in a couple months time (with luck). Views?

I would be very tempted to contact your bank and tell them to reverse the last Direct Debit. At least then you would owe them a final amount, the payment of which would be within your control rather than trust to luck that they would refund any overpayment.