MSE News: Small energy supplier One Select stops trading - what you need to know

antrobus

brewerdave wrote: »

Just re-reading the email, Together intend to "set up a new DD and cancel the old one" in 3 days -then promise to "only take the DD on or around the date agreed with OneSelect" - well, that could mean them taking monies before Xmas from my account.

Not happy with this especially as they haven't given any dates for supplying the tariff data or setting up an account. I'll probably cancel the DD with the Bank if they attempt to take it prior to Xmas with no further contact.

A Festive Welcome from Together Energy:)


They state that "We will set up a new direct debit and cancel your old one in the next three days."

I've already cancelled the 'old one'. I wasn't going to allow OneSelect to collect another £150+ when my account was already £300+ in credit at the beginning of this month.

I too am a little concerned that they propose setting up a new DD within the "next few few days", whereas it's going to take a "few weeks" to move everybody onto their systems. How can they collect a DD unless they have an account to credit it to? How can they collect a DD until they've calculated what it should be and given you notice.?

Notice is normally 10 working days.
https://www.directdebit.co.uk/DirectDebitExplained/pages/directdebitguarantee.aspx


All the Together Energy tariffs are here
https://togetherenergy.co.uk/terms/tariffs/

masonic

antrobus wrote: »

A Festive Welcome from Together Energy:)


They state that "We will set up a new direct debit and cancel your old one in the next three days."

I've already cancelled the 'old one'. I wasn't going to allow OneSelect to collect another £150+ when my account was already £300+ in credit at the beginning of this month.

I too am a little concerned that they propose setting up a new DD within the "next few few days", whereas it's going to take a "few weeks" to move everybody onto their systems. How can they collect a DD unless they have an account to credit it to? How can they collect a DD until they've calculated what it should be and given you notice.?

Notice is normally 10 working days.
https://www.directdebit.co.uk/DirectDebitExplained/pages/directdebitguarantee.aspx


All the Together Energy tariffs are here
https://togetherenergy.co.uk/terms/tariffs/

It takes about 8 working days to set up a new DD and pull the first payment, so presumably Together Energy is planning to take over our existing DDs and keep the monthly payment at the same level initially. If you've cancelled yours then they won't be able to do this.

I note on the FAQ on their website that they are putting us all on "a special tariff for 6 months", so prices could be higher (or lower) than any of their current deals.

System

Rawcopy wrote: »

I joined One Select back in August 2017 after using the MSE sites Cheap Energy Club. They were OK, although when I refused a cheeky rise in tariff, they immediately backed down… and then went bust two months later. It’s all my fault ;-)

I checked the Cheap Energy Club site today to research new tariffs and wondered when caretaker provider Together Energy would show up in the listings. I kept clicking for more results and lo, there they are in 72nd place. I got a quote from the company web site too and it’s the same rubbish deal although you can opt for one year at the same tariff but it’s a £60 exit fee (£30 per fuel).

I have to say, given the mass of competition out there, surely Ofgem could have led by example and chosen the cheapest supplier for this transition, to encourage the others?

Incidentally, you can still access the One Select dashboard. I logged in and submitted readings today. I don’t know if this information will be used, but it’s done now and I’m keeping photos of the readings to be on the safe side.

One last thing, today on BBC Radio Four’s Money Box (I can't include a link as I'm a new poster, sorry), customers were advised not to switch before the transition is complete. Apparently it makes it less messy for dealing with any credits with One Select that you may have. So I’m waiting but it looks like Utility Point Up Energy Saver will be my next supplier, although the French girl from Octopus who visited the other week made a very attractive case for choosing a renewable option. Ooh la la.

My understanding is that Ofgem chooses the SoLR via an auction. The SoLR pays something for the extra customers that it is gaining. Given that we all pay for consumer credits via the Ofgem Levy, this makes good business sense. I assume that Ofgem will also take into account whether the SoLR has the resources to take on the additional customer numbers. I am not sure that the supplier that offers the cheapest tariff would make for a good SoLR Decision.

gt94sss2

masonic wrote: »

I note on the FAQ on their website that they are putting us all on "a special tariff for 6 months", so prices could be higher (or lower) than any of their current deals.

I'm disappointed that Together Energy haven't put prices of this special tariff on their website or included them in their email.

I don't know how legal/fair it is to expect customers to pay for energy without letting them know how much they are going to be charged when they must already know.

antrobus

masonic wrote: »

It takes about 8 working days to set up a new DD and pull the first payment, so presumably Together Energy is planning to take over our existing DDs and keep the monthly payment at the same level initially. If you've cancelled yours then they won't be able to do this......

MSE Central Command says;

What if I've already cancelled my direct debit with OneSelect?
If you did, Together Energy will be in touch to reinstate it over the next few weeks. You should do this even if you intend to switch, as Together Energy will need it for your final bill.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2018/12/together-energy-takes-on-oneselect-s-36-000-customers/?_ga=2.92349597.1229488649.1544916087-817116410.1544916086

The 'next few weeks' sounds a lot better to me.:)

masonic wrote: »

I note on the FAQ on their website that they are putting us all on "a special tariff for 6 months", so prices could be higher (or lower) than any of their current deals.

Their T&Cs state, inter alia,

You must keep your account in credit by paying for the supply in advance,

Your monthly standard direct debit amount will be based on the amount of energy we think you’ll use each year of your contract divided by 12, and if it’s your first year with us we can increase the standard direct debit amount by up to 25% to cover additional usage in the winter months,

https://togetherenergy.co.uk/terms/

masonic

antrobus wrote: »

MSE Central Command says;

What if I've already cancelled my direct debit with OneSelect?
If you did, Together Energy will be in touch to reinstate it over the next few weeks. You should do this even if you intend to switch, as Together Energy will need it for your final bill.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2018/12/together-energy-takes-on-oneselect-s-36-000-customers/?_ga=2.92349597.1229488649.1544916087-817116410.1544916086

The 'next few weeks' sounds a lot better to me.:)

My goal is having my account set up and ready to switch in the shortest possible time. As such I'm happy for them to take a December DD payment. If they uplift my DD by 25% vs. what it is now, I'll still be roughly neutral in January given my November payment only just moved me from debt into credit.

I received an email requesting me to confirm my details and provide an opening meter read overnight, which I've completed. Still no information about the tariff.

brewerdave

masonic wrote: »

I received an email requesting me to confirm my details and provide an opening meter read overnight, which I've completed. Still no information about the tariff.

As did I; the DD I paid to OneSelect was already a 25% Winter uplift, so I sincerely hope they bear that in mind when setting the DD levels!
I'm not happy about any amount of money being taken by DD in advance of a formal notification of account number and tariff tho':( -regardless of their ts & cs !!

masonic

brewerdave wrote: »

As did I; the DD I paid to OneSelect was already a 25% Winter uplift, so I sincerely hope they bear that in mind when setting the DD levels!
I'm not happy about any amount of money being taken by DD in advance of a formal notification of account number and tariff tho':( -regardless of their ts & cs !!

The direct debit is nothing more than an irritation in my view. Any excess funds taken will eventually come back. I'm focused entirely on the cost and amount of energy used during this (hopefully short) time I'm part of the captive audience.

brewerdave

Hengus wrote: »

I assume that Ofgem will also take into account whether the SoLR has the resources to take on the additional customer numbers. I am not sure that the supplier that offers the cheapest tariff would make for a good SoLR Decision.

Conversation between OFGEM and MD of Together Energy:-


OFGEM - " Can you cope with 36000 extra customers in a timely fashion?"


Together Energy - " Yup, currently I have one man and a dog in Customer Services but I'm getting another dog from the Dog's Home so no problemo!"


OFGEM - " Looks good to me -they are all yours!!":rotfl:

antrobus

brewerdave wrote: »

Conversation between OFGEM and MD of Together Energy:-

OFGEM - " Can you cope with 36000 extra customers in a timely fashion?"

Together Energy - " Yup, currently I have one man and a dog in Customer Services but I'm getting another dog from the Dog's Home so no problemo!"

OFGEM - " Looks good to me -they are all yours!!":rotfl:

Why were Together Energy appointed to take over my account?
We demonstrated to Ofgem our ability and commitment to making the process as seamless as possible.
https://togetherenergy.co.uk/oneselect-faqs/

No dogs were mentioned.

But they do claim that more than 90% of their staff come from the poorest 10% of postcodes in Scotland, and that they do their recruiting in a post-industrial town. I believe they mean Clydebank.